How’s business?
Business is very good. Our market is Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the wider PA network. For example, PA staff in Ireland have worked in the US, Britain, Hong Kong, Middle East and mainland Europe as well as Dublin and Belfast! We have increased the size of our Belfast and Dublin offices significantly over the past year.
Any exciting projects in the pipeline?
It’s probably easier to tell you about what we’ve already done as so much of our current work is client confidential. We have recently completed a major report for the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the future health care needs of the Irish Republic to 2020. The report was published by the HSE and caused quite a stir. One assignment I can comment on is a review of the Irish Government National Drugs Strategy. We are currently involved in a range of public consultations across the country. This is looking at the success of the Irish Government's attempts to deal with the country’s drugs problem.
What are the long term prospects for your company?
I would like to see our growth continue across the island of Ireland. We are always looking for new opportunities to add value for clients. We have a strong local team complimented by a substantial international base. We can draw on expertise from all corners of the globe. The strength of our business is having the skills and capabilities across the PA network to deal with the complex and challenging issues faced by clients today. We have been working with colleagues from Scandinavia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Europe in recent assignments and expect this to continue.
What are the biggest challenges facing your organisation?
The recruitment of good people. Any consultancy business is based on the quality of the people it has. We try and recruit and retain the best people in the business. Most come to us from other consultancy organisations but we have our own culture and our own way of doing things. It’s very important that we get the right people who have the depth of understanding in the areas we want to work in as well as a high degree of competence in their skills area.
Could the government help you to do business better?
Public sector procurement can be challenging! I appreciate they often work under difficult conditions - particularly with the influence of the European Commission. It would be helpful to cut the red tape and bureaucracy and make it easier. On-line procurement has sped up the process.
Why would someone work for you?
We offer a wide range of challenging and complex assignments to test the skills and experience of our consultants. Our work is primarily based within the island of Ireland and we have worked at the highest levels of the public and private sectors and you will be working alongside colleagues from across the PA network in areas that will develop your expertise. In addition, we provide formal training that is second to none.
Your views on the economy, please
The challenges with the economy are well known. We need to reduce the amount of public sector spending on bureaucracy and administration and use the money for front line services. We need to grow the private sector to help re-balance the economy overall. I think more thought could be given to the role of the public sector in helping the private sector grow.
The business climate – good or bad?
We work in a number of business climates! Overall, these things are cyclical. In Northern Ireland I think there is huge optimism.
What ambitions do you have on a personal level?
I have been a consultant in PA for 10 years. What keeps you motivated is the nature and challenge of the work that you do. We are working on some very difficult assignments at the moment so my focus is on getting that right. Do the best job you can has always worked for me.
What do you get up to in your spare time?
Looking after my daughters keeps me pretty busy. I play the guitar - occasionally in public! I have a fascination for modern art. At the last count I had 14 books on Picasso as well as prints and books on Braque, Miro, Kandinsky, Chagall and Matisse.
Dr Michael Maguire is a partner in the government practice in Northern Ireland
