Claire McAree is chief financial officer at McAree Engineering at Ballinode, Co Monaghan.

The third generation family business was established by Claire’s grandfather Vincent in 1946 and as well as being one of the country’s largest sheet metal fabrication businesses, they also design and manufacture the V-Mac range of bulk storage silos for animal feeds, employing over 140 staff. The company also boasts a vintage and heritage museum on site in Ballinode.

Claire works in the business alongside her father Brendan (managing director), her mother Nuala (company secretary) and her brothers Vincent (operations director) and John (factory manager).

1 My grandfather who started McAree Engineering was a man ahead of his time because… he saw an opportunity after the war to set up his own business servicing agricultural machinery and stationary engines and although it was a risk during a very difficult period, he went for it.

2 Long before I became an accountant… I invested my money in a CD player and my first CD, Cotton Eye Joe. I love music and concerts.

3 My very first job in the family business was… picking up rubbish in the car park and keeping the car park clean when I was 10 – I hated it!

4 In college, I decided to study business through German because… I enjoyed German in school and it would put another feather in my cap when looking for a job. It served me well as when I graduated from Dublin City University (DCU) in 2007, it was tough finding a job in the economic downturn. Having German got me on an IBEC graduate programme, which I completed with Combilift.

5 If I was not working in the family business, I would probably be… still working in Citibank, where I managed a team handling German clients’ business. I really enjoyed working in a large multinational company and I made great friends there. It gave me a great background to processes and procedures, which I was able to take into my family business.

6 My advice when it comes to working with your parents and siblings is… work is work and family is family. Work issues stay inside the business. My dad would never discuss business at the kitchen table.

7 Irish farmers are important to our business because… our V-Mac silo business has been our backbone and has enabled the company to grow over the years through the good times and the bad.

8 The greatest challenge presented by Brexit to McAree Engineering is… managing the business in a period of uncertainty. Sixty-three per cent of our business is in Northern Ireland and the UK. Those markets are very important to our business. McAree Engineering has been around long enough that we operated when there were border controls and customs between North and south. Will we return to such a system?

9 The greatest challenge as a woman making her way in the engineering world… is the same as a man; knowing your capabilities and maximising them. Anybody I have met has been extremely supportive and helpful in supporting my endeavours to help McAree Engineering grow and develop.

10 I think the key to encouraging more girls and women into STEM is… having role models and showing females what they can do. There is no reason why they can’t. Schools need to do their bit by encouraging girls to participate in STEM-related subjects.

11 The qualities that I look for in a young graduate are… passion and drive. It is great to see graduates coming into our business that have a spark and are prepared to get stuck in.

12 Career wise, I am most proud of… becoming a chartered accountant after six years of night school. It was torture, but worth it in the end.

13 A book that has always stayed with me is… The Field by John B Keane – an Irish classic. “You’re the Bull, you’re the Bull, you’re the Bull!”

14 If I was to pick songs for the soundtrack to my life, three tunes would be… I love upbeat happy music, so:

  • Crazy In Love by Beyoncé – my wedding song.
  • Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira – college days on the dance floor.
  • Money For Nothing by Dire Straits – my dad played it non-stop when we were younger.
  • 15 My favourite film is… American Pie it’s light-hearted and very funny.

    16 Outside of work, my greatest passion is… my two-year-old daughter Ruby. I love getting home after work to talk to her about her day at crèche and about her new friends. Playing with Ruby and reading her bedtime stories helps me keep work issues at work.

    17 My favourite quote is… Life is only as good as you make it.

    18 Five things you will always find in my handbag are… wet wipes, Slimming World bars, notebook, phone and always some lippie.

    19 My pet hate is… untidiness. Tidy desk, tidy mind!

    20 One thing you might be surprised to learn about me is… that I drove and navigated in motorsport rallies back in the day! That’s how I met my husband Johno.

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