Stuart McKenna

Principal Consultant – General Insurance Division, HR Consultancy

IFSDG:  How long have you worked in your current company?

Stuart:  I have been with HR Consultancy for almost 6 years. This time has been spent within the General Insurance recruitment team where I work now as a Principal Consultant.

IFSDG:  How many people work at your current company?

Stuart:  45.

IFSDG:  What is the vision for your company in Glasgow?

Stuart:  The vision for HR Consultancy is to be the best professional recruitment business in Scotland.

IFSDG:  What's a typical day for you?

Stuart:  No two days in recruitment are exactly the same which is one of the reasons I love the job! Typically, I'll check emails and make any urgent calls first thing in the morning before heading to the office. I'll then be busy speaking to candidates about their career plans, working on live roles and liaising with broking firms and insurers about their recruitment strategies and needs. A great part of the job is meeting clients and hiring managers face to face whether over a coffee, at an industry event, networking nights or even on the golf course!

IFSDG:  Why did your company choose to locate in the IFSD in Glasgow?

Stuart:  HR Consultancy have had our headquarters based in central Glasgow since the company was founded in 1995 and have benefitted from having such a variety of business on our doorstep.

IFSDG:  Three good things about working in Glasgow?

Stuart:  I think most would say the main positive of working in Glasgow is the people which I would totally agree with! Working in recruitment is massively people orientated and I am proud to have met some amazing folk throughout my career in Glasgow. Secondly, the quality of insurance firms who are located in and around the city is excellent with a great mix of both independent and global organisations. Also the shopping and socialising is brilliant!

IFSDG:  What is your biggest business achievement to date?

Stuart:  My biggest business achievement to date has been winning our top performer award in 2013. This was a huge achievement for me given the amount of recruitment talent in HR Consultancy which I was up against - plus the reward was a trip to Dubai which was amazing!

IFSDG:  What is the best investment you ever made?

Stuart:  My best investment was saving, begging and borrowing to buy my first flat (bachelor pad!). It didn't remain a bachelor pad too long having met my now-wife after 4 months living there! I still rent it out now so has been a great investment for the future.

IFSDG:  Which businessperson or company do you most admire and why?

Stuart:  The Scottish brewery Brewdog are superb - a true success story growing to become a global player in their market through genius advertising and growth methods -  and the beer tastes great too!

IFSDG:  What did you want to be when you were a child?

Stuart:  Either a professional golfer or top-gun pilot. Naturally once reality kicked in I just really wanted to wear a suit to work and have my own desk!

IFSDG:  What do you do to relax away from the office?

Stuart:  From March till October you'll tend to find me on the golf course as much as possible in my spare time playing both in weekend competitions and the odd weeknight round when the diary allows! Otherwise spending time with my wife Ann, sampling the Glasgow restaurant scene or going on city breaks to see as much of Europe as we can.

IFSDG:  I-Phone or Android?

Stuart:  iPhone, 100%!

IFSDG:  Favourite band?

Stuart:  Oasis

IFSDG:  Favourite sport?

Stuart:  Golf

IFSDG:  Favourite movie?

Stuart:  The Departed, Goodfellas, Good Will Hunting.

IFSDG:  Sunshine or snow?

Stuart:  Sunshine, nothing worse than relying on Scottish trains in the snow!

IFSDG:  and finally, what three words sum you up?

Stuart:  Organised, hard-working and loyal.

  • Stuart McKenna
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