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EY Alumni Interview with Barry McNamara, Finance Senior Director with Dell Technologies
Despite growing up in Garryowen in Limerick, the place that gave its name to a spectacular rugby kick, Barry McNamara prefers the round ball of soccer. However, the high kick into a successful career is an apt description of McNamara’s rise, from formative years at EY Ireland.
Today, McNamara is a finance senior director at Dell Technologies Irish HQ in Limerick, responsible for areas such as finance operations to order management, having witnessed a transformation in the company which mirrors changes in how business works across the globe in the 21st century. He places emphasis on the great start he got at EY as a new hire out of college 23 years ago, and the continual presence his EY background has been in his professional life.
“I was hired on the ‘milk round’ from the University of Limerick, and it [EY] was fantastic, one of the best experiences in terms of education you could have.” McNamara spent five years with EY Limerick, during which he qualified as a chartered accountant and amassed experience in tax and audit.
Part of the value was the growing ability in cementing connections and knowing how to deal with people. “You’re out there, meeting clients, building relationships, it’s great experience.
When time came to move on, it was commuting-heavy, but he liked the role working for Dell Technologies out of Cherrywood in Dublin. “For six months I was travelling up and down from here, then a role became available in Limerick, and I worked for the finance site leader who also came from EY, so there was a connection there.” At Dell Technologies he plunged in and worked as an analyst, in financial planning, business controls and audit.
Next, being in a career development fast-track with Dell Technologies, he was offered a position at HQ in Austin, Texas. Uprooting wife, Bernadette and their toddler son, McNamara settled into the sun and the culture shock. “It’s a completely different way of life. As Irish people we always talk about the weather, but over there it’s pretty consistent – really hot. It was a shock for us all in the first few months, but we adapted.”
The company was going through a transformation in Limerick when I came back and there was an interesting dynamic, an operation that was running but changing at the same time.”
“Our global supply chain is managed out of Limerick, and 30 per cent of our cybersecurity is located here. We’ve transformed our profile and value proposition chain, increasing our transform complexity and technical skillset too. We’ve gone through all that before and I think we are in a much stronger position as a result.”
Micro and macro-economic events have thrown up huge challenges for all sectors in recent years, and McNamara believes Dell Technologies has been “best in class” in its ability to adapt, utilising its partner ecosystem. “It is a very exciting, interesting time, and we run it all tightly.”
Although hybrid working is an area he sponsors, McNamara himself is an in-the-office man. “I could sit at home and be able to do my job, something that would never have been entertained before Covid. But if you do that you lose your network, the chance encounters, and the ability to connect with people in person.” He thinks that personal touch leads to faster problem-solving, but acknowledges that flexible working, WFH, is here to stay.
Asked what he would say to a graduate starting out on their career, like himself 23 years ago, McNamara says:
“I think I’d tell them not to stress too much about their technical qualifications. Some people put a lot of pressure on themselves, worrying about their results. Looking back, I could have done all that, but with hindsight what really is the key is how you show up. Getting stuff done is massive, taking ownership, and proving that you can get things done. Also I’d emphasise human skills, engaging people, partnering… That’s the key.”