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Kelly Mulgrew

19th February 2014

Role: Managing Director

Company: Mulgrew, Health & Safety Ltd

Track Record:

‘You have to have a great work ethic and be driven’ Kelly Mulgrew says a strong family work ethic has helped her to succeed in her business.

 

‘It’s a tough industry and challenging — especially when you’re trying to persuade business owners that health and safety is as important as any other area of their business,’ says Kelly.

 

What does your job entail?

 

I am managing director of Mulgrew, Health & Safety Ltd.

 

We are one of Ireland’s leading and progressive health, safety and environmental training and consultancy organisations who assist companies in the private, public, retail, commercial, healthcare, construction and agriculture sectors of industry with all their health, safety and environmental legal requirements.

 

I myself am very ‘hands-on’ within the business, liaising with existing and new clients, delivering training courses, assisting companies in achieving third party accreditations (such as Safe-T-Cert or ISO/OHSAS) and organising a very professional team of fully qualified health and safety consultants and trainers who work for the company.

 

Is it 9-5pm?

 

Definitely not.

 

I don’t think anyone running their own business can get away with working 9-5 only.

 

A lot of my evenings are spent writing up reports/audits, answering emails, devising training packages and invoicing, as well as looking at ways to develop and expand the business.

 

I also spend a lot of Saturdays delivering training courses.

 

The hours are long but it’s worth it and very rewarding and with having no dependents, I can commit myself 100%.

 

How did you get into this line of work?

 

I started working for a family construction business, basically overseeing operations.

 

My father — who has been a huge influence in my career — had an idea that I should start training in health and safety, as it was a service the company was outsourcing, and health and safety was becoming a huge area of growth within organisations.

 

So I started at the bottom, successfully completing my Nebosh Occupational Health & Safety Qualification, and worked my way up the ladder. I went on to work for a health and safety company for a few years, before I decided to go it alone.

 

Seeing the business potential, seeing personal growth and knowledge potential, having people interested in me representing them and obviously huge support from my family, I decided to take the step and that’s when Mulgrew Health & Safety came about.

 

What qualities are required for your job — professional and personal.

 

Professionally, I have successfully completed all the necessary exams to date, I have completed my teacher training — I am an accredited trainer with IOSH, CITB, CEF, CIEH and I am working towards my chartership.

 

Personally, you have to be driven, disciplined, have a great work ethic, enjoy health and safety, enjoy working with people on a one-to-one basis and delivering training courses, and I suppose be thick-skinned, as it’s a tough industry and challenging — especially when you’re trying to persuade business owners that health and safety is as important as any other area of their business.

 

I am very focused on what I do; I am young, so I have a fresh approach and can give full commitment to all my clients and to my job as managing director.

 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

 

You are the master of your own life, nothing is impossible if you stay focused, stay positive, work hard and visualise the outcome and always be nice to people and appreciate everyone for what they have to offer in life.

 

Never step on anyone’s toes, treat everyone as you would like to be treated yourself.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

 

Spare time is very precious, so I always like to have something nice planned rather than be idle.

 

I enjoy spending time with my family, niece and nephews, having dinner with my girlfriends and going away occasionally for a spa day.

 

I am also musical, so I relax by spending a few hours at my piano — just to keep myself from getting rusty.

 

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

 

I used to model part-time when I was at college to help me financially.

 

I have been a Miss NI and Miss Ireland finalist; I also did a lot of TV and commercial work fronting major advertising campaigns in NI.

 

It opened many doors for me, providing me with great opportunities to work with some very well-known global stars, such as Bryan Adams.

 

Who has inspired you most in your life?

 

I would have to say my parents, Jude and Mary. My parents have always had a great work ethic and have always encouraged me in all aspects of my life.

 

I come from a very business orientated family — my father has his own construction business and my sister has her very own successful cosmetic business.

 

I always think that the core foundations are laid at home and successfully constructed through good values, morals, respect for others, discipline and life experiences.

 

Every day we live and learn and if we are learning then we are moving in the right direction.

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