My Kind of Job: Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of the charity Titanic Foundation Ltd.

Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of the charity Titanic Foundation Ltd.

She is involved in the restoration of the former Harland & Wolff drawing offices into a heritage space and boutique hotel and the relocation of the Mew Optic, a 130-year-old extremely rare and large lighthouse optic, along Belfast’s Waterfront.

What was your first job?

My first job was a travel adviser for Bord Fáilte, which is now known as Fáilte Ireland. I was responsible for promoting and booking short breaks to the south of Ireland.

What qualifications do you have?

I have a degree in modern history from Queen’s University and a masters in tourism and hotel management from the University of Ulster.

To what do you attribute your success?

Partly, being in the right place at the right time. When I started my career in tourism in the 1990s and as Northern Ireland was becoming more politically stable, tourism was growing and opening up lots of new opportunities.

I value working in partnership with others and have spent a lot of time developing relationships to deliver common objectives. Partnership has been key to all projects I’ve been involved with for Titanic Foundation Limited including Titanic Belfast.

How would you describe yourself to someone who had never met you?

I am passionate and believe in the projects I’m involved in and will do my best to convince others to think that way too.

Who do you look up to in business?

Our chair, Nicky Dunn. Nicky was previously chief executive of the Odyssey Arena and now sits on a number of boards including the Olympic Park. She has great commercial acumen and excellent negotiation skills.

How do you get the best out of people who work for you?

Most organisations are on a journey and it’s important to bring people with you. It’s important that there is a commitment to communication and listening to everyone’s ideas and challenges. It is also important to identify and develop people’s specific strengths, acknowledge good work and celebrate success.

If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?

I’m a firm believer in local decision making and believe our local councils should have more powers and accountability. This is especially important for Titanic Foundation Ltd in our work to develop Titanic Quarter as an international industrial maritime heritage destination.

What website could you not do without?

I’m a member of a number of organisations such as Institute of Directors, Chief Officers Third Sector (CO3) and Federation of Small Business (FSB) – all of which have useful websites. FSB’s website, in particular, has some really useful templates.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

My parents moved to Australia when they got married and I was born in Queensland which means I can hold a British, Irish and Australian passport.

What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?

That’s a hard one as work and family keep me busy. I’m lucky to have a job that I have a great interest in, even outside the office. At present, I am involved in the restoration of the former H&W Drawing Offices.

I could spend hours reading about the history of the shipyard and the men and women who worked there.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?

Take every opportunity that is given to you.