Áine is the Head of People and Culture at MKO and joined in 2022. Áine discusses how MKO supports her need for flexibility, especially with family and other personal commitments.
Can you share a little about your background and what brought you to MKO?
My background is mainly in the medical device industry, where I worked across a variety of HR roles from HR Admin and Talent Acquisition, to HR Business Partner and, eventually HR Manager. It was a fast-paced, dynamic environment that gave me a broad and well-rounded view of the People and Culture function, and helped shape my approach as a HR professional.
What’s always motivated me is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact – to create initiatives that genuinely improve people’s working lives and support a positive, thriving culture. When I came across the Head of People & Culture role at MKO, it really struck a chord. It was immediately clear that people are genuinely at the heart of the business – not just as a principle, but as a practice.
The company’s values and purpose resonated with me, and I was excited by its ambition. MKO is a scaling company with a clear vision: to expand our reach and impact to help solve the defining environmental and societal challenges of our time. That sense of purpose, combined with the opportunity to help shape the people experience as the company grows, made it a journey I knew I wanted to be part of.
How does MKO support your need for flexibility, especially with family commitments and other personal responsibilities?
I’m a working mum to two very active little ones so like many parents, flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. What really sets MKO apart is how genuinely that’s understood and supported.There’s a deep respect here for the fact that people’s capacity and priorities shift at different stages of life. Since joining, I’ve been supported to work a four-day week, which has been a real game-changer for me and my family. I also have the flexibility to start earlier and finish earlier, which means I can do the creche run without stress.
But the real magic is in the day-to-day flexibility. Whether it’s dashing out when the creche calls, shifting hours to make the Christmas concert, or simply navigating the juggle of family life – there’s an atmosphere of trust and understanding that takes so much pressure off. That peace of mind, knowing I can show up fully at home and at work, is genuinely invaluable. And because I feel supported, I’m all the more committed to giving that same energy back to MKO.
How do you manage to meet project deadlines while also ensuring you have quality time for your family and personal pursuits?
It’s definitely a balancing act, and I won’t pretend it’s always perfect – but what helps massively is being really intentional with my time. At work, I prioritise planning and clear communication. I’m lucky to be part of a highly collaborative team where we support one another, stay aligned on priorities, and keep projects moving forward. That teamwork makes a huge difference in meeting deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.
When I’m at home, I try to be just as present. Once I log off, I make a conscious effort to switch fully into family mode – whether that’s helping with homework, running after the kids outside, or simply enjoying some downtime together. The flexible and supportive culture at MKO makes this balance possible. It’s not about perfection or doing everything flawlessly, but about finding a rhythm that suits you – and knowing that when life throws a curveball, your workplace has your back.
Beyond traditional office hours, what does a flexible workday look like for you at MKO and how this has benefited you?
For me, flexibility at MKO goes beyond just the formal arrangements, although those are a huge help too. I currently benefit from two key supports: a four-day workweek and an early start/finish schedule, which lets me pick up the kids from creche at a reasonable hour. But beyond these formal arrangements, it’s the everyday flexibility that truly makes a difference.
Life with young children is unpredictable – there are appointments, sick days, school events, and the big milestones like their first day of school. At MKO, I have the opportunity to shift my hours to accommodate these moments without feeling guilty or stressed. It’s a massive benefit. I see friends who can’t just step out when the creche calls, or miss important moments because of rigid work schedules. I don’t take it for granted that I can, and that MKO genuinely lives by the mantra of family first.
A typical day for me starts around 8am and I finish up at 4:30pm. I’ve got the flexibility to work from home on certain days, which helps with things like doing the school run. My husband travels a bit for work, and when he’s away, I know I can work from home if I need to and it makes a big difference in keeping everything manageable. This kind of flexibility doesn’t just help me show up better at home, it helps me show up better at work too.
MKO offers remote working and has people based nationwide. How do you stay connected and collaborate effectively with your colleagues, whether they’re in the office or elsewhere?
One of the things I really appreciate about MKO is the intentional effort that goes into keeping us all connected, no matter where we’re based. With team members working from various locations across Ireland, MKO has created a strong sense of unity through a mix of practical tools, regular communication, and company-wide initiatives that bring everyone together.
Our Monday Morning Meeting is a great example – it’s a weekly all-staff session where we get updates from across the business, celebrate successes, and hear what’s happening across our industry. It’s a great way to stay informed, feel connected, and kick off the week with purpose.
We also have regular knowledge shares, which allow us to learn from one another regardless of where we’re working. These sessions are really valuable, not just for professional development, but for encouraging collaboration and keeping conversations going across teams.
And of course, our biannual company events – in the Summer and at Christmas. These are brilliant opportunities to come together in person, reconnect, and celebrate our successes. They really reinforce the sense of belonging and shared purpose that runs through the company. Between these formal initiatives and the day-to-day collaboration tools, MKO ensures that distance never means isolation. It’s a real strength of our culture that you always feel part of the team.
For someone looking to build a long-term career at MKO, what opportunities for progression does MKO offer?
MKO offers a dynamic and supportive environment where you can continue to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. We’re a company that’s scaling, evolving, and always looking ahead, which naturally creates opportunities for those who want to shape what comes next.
Progression here isn’t limited to a linear path – it’s about expanding your influence, deepening your expertise, and stepping into leadership in ways that align with your strengths. Whether you’re driven by leading teams, growing a service area, mentoring others, or contributing strategically, MKO actively supports and encourages that ambition.A big part of that is our commitment to continuous learning. Through our MKO Academy, we offer a dedicated in-house learning platform designed to give all employees, no matter their level, the chance to strengthen their capabilities, deepen their expertise, and support their professional development in a way that’s practical and relevant to their role. It’s about building confidence, growing your impact, and supporting progression in a meaningful, structured way.
There’s also a strong culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration across disciplines, and engagement with leadership which means your voice is heard and your experience is valued. At MKO, if you’re motivated to grow and contribute, there’s real scope to shape both your career and the future of the business.
What kind of training, mentorship, or leadership development opportunities are available at MKO?
At MKO, there’s a real commitment to supporting people at every stage of their career – whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role, expanding your expertise, or simply looking to keep developing in a way that feels relevant and fulfilling.We offer a range of formal and informal development opportunities, starting with MKO Academy, our in-house learning platform. It gives employees access to tailored resources and training modules that support their professional growth – whether that’s technical knowledge, leadership skills, or personal development.
For those in or moving towards leadership roles, there are formal training programmes in place to build the confidence, capability, and tools needed to lead effectively. Leadership at MKO is seen as something that’s constantly evolving, and we want to create space for people to reflect, learn, and grow in that space.
Mentorship also plays an important role, and while it often happens organically, it’s something we actively encourage. There’s a strong culture of knowledge sharing here, where more experienced team members are generous with their time and insights, and there’s real value placed on learning from one another across disciplines and levels. Ultimately, MKO is a place where development is seen as ongoing, not something you only access at the start of your career. The support is there, the opportunities are real, and if you’re open to growth, there’s no limit to where it can take you.
Outside of project work, how does MKO’s professional development initiatives contribute to a positive and supportive work culture for experienced professionals?
For experienced professionals, development isn’t just about picking up new skills, it’s about continuing to grow in a purposeful, challenging, and supportive environment. At MKO, professional development is an active part of our culture, and it plays a key role in creating a workplace where people feel empowered to do their best work. Initiatives like the MKO Academy and regular knowledge shares support continuous learning in a way that’s accessible, relevant, and genuinely valued. Even for those with years of experience, there’s always space to refine your expertise, explore new areas of interest, and contribute to the growth of others through mentoring and collaboration.
That culture of learning extends beyond formal channels too. One of MKO’s real strengths is the access we have to industry experts who are generous with their time and insights. There’s a strong spirit of openness, where people are always willing to share knowledge, offer support, and learn from each other, no matter your level or background.
Being part of a scaling business adds another exciting layer to that development journey. As we deliver on our three-year strategy, new opportunities continue to emerge – whether through evolving service areas, increased leadership scope, or the chance to shape how we work as we grow. There’s room to take ownership, influence direction, and help build something meaningful. That all ties back to our vision. Knowing that the work we do contributes to something bigger adds a real sense of purpose. It brings meaning to the everyday and helps create a culture where people feel inspired, valued, and supported.