The HR World speaks to industry leaders about their careers and life – what advice would they pass on and what wisdom brought them to where they are now.
Debbie Irish, HR Director for Northwest Europe, HP Inc. first joined 3Com as an HR administrator. Her career has been varied as she has risen up the ranks, but possibly her best move has been always to say ‘yes’.
18 July 2023
Story by
Debbie Irish, HR Director for HP, Northwest Europe, HP Inc.
I wanted my career to make a difference
Believe it or not, I never set out to have a career in HR, but I knew I wanted to make a difference and find a path that gave me the opportunity to constantly stretch me and be creative. After successfully completing my English degree at the University of Hertfordshire, I decided to focus on having my family first with my career coming after. When the children were very young, I wanted time and location flexibility and over the years set up two very different companies that I could run from homer – real estate and weddings! They were both really successful, but as the children reached school age I decided to sell up and develop an external career. After a brief stint selling company cars, I secured my first HR role at a US tech company called 3Com as an HR Admin.
I was fortunate to work for some amazing managers, who gave me a broad range of opportunities and as a consequence I gradually worked my way through the various roles in HR, including HR Operations Manager and then Compensation and Benefits Manager for EMEA. As part of my various roles, I travelled to the US, Taiwan, Singapore, I was also HR Lead for Southern Europe. Every time an opportunity was presented to me, I said “yes”, and this allowed me to grow and progress.
When HP acquired 3Com in 2009, I was invited across, so I embraced it and have loved the experience. I’ve gone from strength to strength, always having great managers to encourage and support me. This, combined with the breadth of knowledge all the bizarre experiences I’ve had really helped me progress. I never had a set path, but when an opportunity arose, I always said “yes, tell me more” and that’s something which has really helped me – and helped me to become the HR Director for Northwest Europe (NWE) at HP Inc.
There’s no particular ‘stand out’ achievement
I don’t like to look back at my career and say one particular achievement means more than another. My career success can be attributed to an amalgamation of all my successes over the years.
I’m immensely proud of where I am today, but in 2015, when Hewlett Packard separated into Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc., I was asked to lead the HR organisation in the UK and Ireland it was both daunting, exciting and an absolute privilege.
I am incredibly proud of the team we’ve built since then, and the culture we’ve developed together with terrific MDs and business leaders. Together we have done what we set out to achieve and this is something I’m now looking to replicate in my new Northwest Europe role.
You’ve got to love the data
I can’t say what initially attracted me to HR as I really wasn’t sure what my first role was going to entail, however, since entering the world of HR I’ve found it to be an incredibly varied job. I enjoy so many facets that the function can offer, from people to data to growing, inspiring and supporting our employees and managers of the future. That said, so much now and in the future will be driven by analysis of information. Give me an excel spreadsheet and I’m in heaven! I love using data to understand trends, to strategise and analyse how they align with our business objectives, and then map out organisational development plans to make it happen.
I also cherish having the ability to help people within the business, for example navigating the business through COVID-19 and supporting the UK&I employees was a challenge, but it has been so rewarding to know employees have felt truly supported by the business. HR really can be anything.
Expect the unexpected
When looking at HR as a role, every single day is completely different. Anything can happen from any direction – it truly is such an unpredictable part of the business. It’s something which my colleagues and I all love about the role. I wouldn’t feel as satisfied in my job if it were mundane, predictable or lacked variety.
We provide knowledge and support – whatever it takes
I think the greatest challenges produce the biggest successes. The 2015 HP split stands out as a notable success as we successfully facilitated, helped, and partnered with leaders across the organisation to create the new HP Inc. and carve out the UK&I region as a significant market player.
Now with the recently formed Northwest Europe region (UK&I, BeNeLux and Nordics), my challenge is to replicate that success. Something I never lose sight of is that in HR, we’re a service to the business, and we’re here to provide knowledge and support to the business in every step it takes. We provide ideas and suggestions, and only go down paths if it’s what the business wants and needs. HR and the wider business then work together to produce results. I love my HR role within HP Inc. because it allows me the space, support and resources to implement new ideas and different ways of working. And of course, I get to work with the best people!
Share
Latest to join the HR Partner Directory
Want to become a partner?
Please get in touch and let’s talk about how we can help you make an impact on the future of work.
