Aaron Ceillier
I completed my degree in accountancy at NCI before embarking on the ACA professional qualification with KSI Faulkner Orr. I loved the time I spent with KSI, the people were amazing to work with and I got such a breadth of exposure across many different industry sectors, it really put me on a good early stage career path. After qualifying I spent six years working in commercial property and pursued a diploma in strategic finance in my spare time. I subsequently took on the role of Head of Finance with Oaklee Housing where I remain today.
Tell us about your current company in three sentences or less?
Oaklee Housing was established in 2001 and is a registered charity and a tier 3 Approved Housing Body (AHB). We are at the forefront of delivering much needed social housing and currently own and manage close to 2,000 homes across Ireland. We are innovators in the space, having recently closed a first of its kind €50M project finance deal and being the first AHB contracted in the Governments PPP housing delivery initiative.
What is the toughest decision you have had to make in your career to date?
I have always found the decision to leave a job for a new direction in my career difficult. There are the normal trepidations about the leap into the unknown and whether you are making the right move plus the respected colleagues and relationships you might be leaving behind. However I have also learned that to maximize your career prospects you need to gain insight and experience in varied situations, the old adage of “a job for life” is probably irrelevant in the modern era and I feel I have largely benefited from the change decisions I have made in my career to date.
What is the best piece of career advice you have been given or would give?
Probably a bit of a cliche but first and foremost believe in yourself. Its very easy to talk yourself out of things and we all fall prey to imposter syndrome at times. Accept that its ok not to know everything and it’s a strength to be comfortable enough to admit when you need to seek appropriate help and guidance. I also believe it’s important to be true to your own values, if you find yourself in a culture that doesn’t align don’t be afraid to move on to different opportunities.
If you could step into the shoes of any business person today, who would it be and why? Or who do you admire most and why?
I admire anyone who has the ingenuity and confidence to build their own enterprise from the ground up out of nothing. It takes real guts and a lot of hard work to build a business, no matter whether it remains a small operation or achieves global success. I’ve been lucky enough to have been around and learned from many such people both in my personal and work life to date and I always find it inspiring to hear their stories.
Tell us something people might not know about you?
I live in Castleknock with my wife and our beautiful daughter who has just turned two. I’m a total golf addict and despite a hectic work and family life I still try and ensure I get out for a game every week. I find it immensely therapeutic and it’s my form of mindfulness. It’s also a great way of meeting people and forging new friendships.
