Edel Creely

Managing director, Arkphire Services

Name: Edel Creely

Role: Managing director of €150m-revenue Irish digital transformation and IT support outfit Arkphire Services

Career so far: M&A has been at the centre of Creely's business growth strategies throughout her career. She founded and built IT managed services business Trilogy Technologies and following a number of successful acquisitions along the way, sold Trilogy to Arkphire Group in 2019. The business was in turn acquired by US based multi-national Presidio for whom Edel continues to lead the Arkphire Services business in UKI. An engineering graduate, Edel has worked in the technology industry throughout her career, an area she is passionate about. An advocate for business, she has chaired the Irish Software Association and been president of Irish employers group Ibec.

Do you think the IT industry's gender diversity deficit - and diversity deficit more widely - warrants highlighting?

I certainly do. We live in a technology driven society and the present and future holds exciting career opportunities for all. Gender equality needs to remain a top priority for business, ensuring that women have an equal opportunity to participate fully in our industry and achieve greater career choices and earning power.

What are the key business benefits of having a diverse workforce?

Multiple research and studies across business has shown that companies benefit in many ways by having a diverse workforce. These include access to a wider pool of talent, breadth of thinking and perspectives, and a balanced understanding of and responsiveness to customer needs. At a leadership level it is well recognised that diversity brings positive changes in corporate governance, culture and risk management. And of course research also shows that there is a direct impact on overall company performance where there is increased representation of women on boards and at a senior management level.

What's your top tip for tech providers that are serious about tackling their gender or diversity deficit?

Remember that individual people make up organisations and we all have a role to play in impacting culture in a positive way. It's not about putting out some statements about around mission and culture, it's about what happens on the ground. How we behave within our own sphere of influence will drive change and if we genuinely want to tackle the diversity deficit, we need to create and engage in practical initiatives across our organisations.

What is your advice to women and girls thinking about a career in the channel?

The channel is in many ways, the interface between the customer and the application of technology. As businesses embark on their digital transformation journeys, complexities abound and the creators of this technology rely on partners to enable successful business outcomes. The opportunities for careers in our space are endless and exciting, so don't just think about it, come on board.