Nichola McElroy

I’m a property manager, turned regulatory consultant, turned Calypso specialist, with a strong belief that the best career paths are the interesting, winding ones. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me on a hiking trail, at a trad session or more recently in my old age trying my hand at horse-riding. I’m a travel enthusiast; I’ve taken two career breaks to explore from the Canadian Rockies down to the jungles of Central & South America and beyond. These days, I’m channelling that energy into leading a major banks Finance Centre of Excellence, where I get to lead an incredibly talented and dynamic young FD team.

Honestly, timing was everything! When I joined 15 years ago, I had recently graduated with a property degree right after the global property crash. Not ideal! Jobs in that field were incredibly scarce and FD offered me a fantastic opportunity when I needed one most! Being part of FD in those early years it felt like a rocket just beginning to launch.

The company had an incredible energy and offered opportunities that simply couldn’t be matched anywhere else in Ireland. I started right at HQ, managing the global property portfolio. It was a unique backstage pass to the company’s growth, making sure our physical spaces could keep up with our ambitious plans. It gave me a foundational understanding of how every piece of the FD business fits together.

My journey has been a brilliant series of "and then" moments. It started with global property, supporting our expansion from 300 to 3000 people. Then came the big leap and one of the highlights of my career: helping to expand FD’s footprint in New York, which was an incredible adventure. I then took on a regulatory consulting project at a major bank in New York, which sharpened my client-side skills. That led to several amazing years working on a different major banks Calypso implementation. It’s been a fantastic journey!

I’ve been based in our HQ in Newry, spent time working and living in Dublin, and had the unforgettable experience of relocating to New York City. Each place taught me the value of diverse perspectives, and each had its own unique rhythm. Newry offered a close‑knit operational heartbeat; Dublin, a legendary sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

New York was something entirely different, for six years it was a masterclass in adaptability, pace, and building from the ground up in a competitive market. Those years completely shifted my perspective on life and career, teaching me invaluable skills and proving that embracing a new city is one of the best ways to grow both personally and professionally. Ultimately, though, no matter where you go or how fast things move, it’s the relationships you build that truly drive success.

It has to be my years on a leading bank’s Calypso implementation. It was a massive, complex project with a brilliant team, and seeing it go live and deliver real value was immensely satisfying. It’s also what made my current role leading a major banks Finance Centre of Excellence so special, it feels like a continuation of that story. But a close second is looking back at the early days in New York, from a small office to a thriving team. You can’t beat the feeling of helping to plant a flag for FD in a new corner of the world!

Don’t be afraid to make a lateral move or try a completely different role if it excites you. A career isn’t always a straight ladder up; sometimes it’s a series of connecting paths. The diverse experience you gain from different angles of the business makes you more resilient and valuable. Skills can be learned, and your confidence grows with action. What truly shapes your career is the willingness to keep moving and keep learning. With that mindset the doors will open themselves. Oh, and take that career break if you can - travel will teach you things no office ever can!