1-1: Orlagh Hunt, Chief Human Resources Officer, OSB Group

Can you give me an overview of your career?

I always worked for HR or People Function, and although I got a law degree, I decided that my career in law would not appeal.

I really wanted to participate in leadership and management, so I took part in Tesco's graduate scheme.

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After a short stint with pedestrians in FMCG (fast moving consumer goods), I was seduced by financial services at Axa Sunlife.

I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to think about how they can make it work, and don't discount it on the first hurdle

We did some amazing things and I really found my feet there. I have been involved in financial services ever since.

From there, I moved to the Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) as Head of International Human Resources. This was my first time becoming a big geographical area and I went on to become Group HR Director.

I then returned to Ireland and joined the Aried Bank of Ireland (AIB) when the bank was back to profitability after the crisis. From there I proceeded to YBS. There, he was Chief Human Resources Officer for five years while considering developing digital savings offerings and attracting young demographics.

I am currently the Chief Human Resources Officer of the OSB Group and have been in my role for about six months.

What do you want to achieve in your new role?

What's really exciting is that we, us and people, have invested in a transformational journey that includes a complete cloud stack for both lending and savings, to give us a great opportunity for growth.

According to the World Economic Forum, it will take another five generations to reach full gender parity.

What are the biggest challenges of your career and what are the highlights?

The biggest challenge was the AIB, as it had the government as a stakeholder. We were very aware of the public's perceptions while navigating business changes.

We had to regain our banks profitability while regaining trust when we weren't confident in the sector. I'm very proud of how we work with our colleagues to turn things around.

Highlights were made in RSA as the business had to grow after the turnaround period and colleague engagement had to move from “average” measured by Gallup to “world class” within two years.

I really wanted to participate in leadership and management, so I took part in Tesco's graduate scheme.

Do you think this month's International Women's Day, the finance sector is approaching achieving gender equality?

According to the World Economic Forum, the theme of “acceleration action” is interesting to reach full gender parity over five more generations.

As a mother of a teenage daughter, I certainly want to make sure I am doing my part in getting things to move forward.

OSB Group has four women on its executive team and three women on its board, but of course we should all see ways to contribute more widely across the sector.

YBS was considering developing digital savings offerings and attracting young demographics

The membership of the Financial Services Skills Commission is really leaning towards this and I am pleased to be part of their board of directors.

If you were not working in finance, what other careers would be interested in you?

I've always wanted to be a teacher. My father was the principal. He believes in learning and always saw the possibilities of his children.

However, after going through a homeschooling period during Covid, I don't know if I have the patience I need!

What was the best advice you received?

I had just returned from maternity leave. My boss said he was moving within the group and asked if I wanted to consider his role.

I remember thinking it was a miracle I was trying to work every day. How can you do a bigger job when you're already worried about juggling everything on the plate?

We were very aware of the public's perceptions while navigating business changes.

I spoke to the coach and she made some great suggestions, including how to set up herself differently at work in terms of support teams and travel. She advised me to clarify my approach to the role, as if I had interviewed, if I was chosen, because I was the right person.

I played against my colleagues and the coach asked me to visualize how I felt.

The exercise helped me concentrate. I went to work and was successful. So I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to really think about how they can make it work, and not discount it at the first hurdle.

This article was featured in the March 2025 edition of the Mortgage Strategy.

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