Barry Murphy: Nurturing FDC Group’s Proud Heritage
Barry comes with proud FDC heritage as the son of current FDC Group General Manager, Jack Murphy. By Barry’s own admission he previously never in his wildest dreams considered FDC Group as a career option. However in 1997, two years after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Cork, he started with FDC Group in Carlow. According to Barry “it was a surprise to me when Jack offered the position in FDC Group, and it took some time to understand if it was the most appropriate avenue for me”. In 1999 Barry moved from a Trainee Manager position in Carlow to Fermoy, to cover a temporary management vacancy. He transferred to Cork in 2001, where he remains as the Deputy Group General Manager. Barry also heads up the Southern Region which is based out of the Wellington Road office in Cork City. As he looks back on his 26 years with the company, there is a sense of great pride in how the group has evolved over the years.
On the topic of FDC Group’s evolution Barry expands, “we have grown in confidence over the years, and we should take great pride in how we have stayed in touch with rural Ireland.” Whether it be through the abolition of the milk quota in 2015 or the 2008 recession. Rural Ireland has sustained itself during these turbulent times and continues to thrive. He points out that the group’s connection with commercial dairy farming has helped support the business. Plus, while the agricultural industry has been good to FDC Group, we’d like to think that the group has also served the industry well. As Barry looks to the future, he senses that the business will evolve by doing what it currently does even better. “We, in FDC Group, have an important role to support our clients with the required services, and our job is to serve the need providing solid advice and services to family businesses and SMEs”.
According to Barry, “FDC is a team of people, this is a family business and at the heart of FDC Group is a family ethos to how it is run. The company and its people are on a collective journey, and this brings real strength. We are here to support each other and from my own viewpoint, it has been a privilege to be part of this journey for the best part of my career.” As a proud UCC graduate, Barry’s role in the development of FDC Group can’t be underestimated. As he sits in the Deputy Manager’s chair, you get the sense that although the company’s journey has had its challenges, its people have not been afraid to take these on.
“FDC Group is a co-operative of people. We are nothing without our people. Our service offering is people-focused and people-centric, and it will continue to be so. We have a history of providing opportunity for people, satisfying their goals both personal and career wise, alongside other financial goals, and we aim to continue with that.”
These challenges include ensuring the group is able to provide a locally accessible service for their clients. To do this the group actively seeks opportunities, and Barry highlights this as an overarching strategy approach that has prevailed during his time with FDC Group. Delivering on this strategy pre 2000 was driven by “a bi-annual campaign selectively in geographical hinterlands.” This location centric broadening has since evolved into a deepening of service provision. This, Barry shares, gives the group’s presence “a critical mass and momentum” in an area. The seeking of opportunities is done whilst FDC Group makes sure it has “maintained our intention to give value, without compromising principles.”
What remains at the core of the group’s delivery of services are its people, as Barry explains “FDC Group is a co-operative of people. We are nothing without our people. Our service offering is people-focused and people-centric, and it will continue to be so. We have a history of providing opportunity for people, satisfying their goals both personal and career wise, alongside other financial goals, and we aim to continue with that.”
The details that Barry’s recollection of his time working in FDC Group really demonstrate the group’s ability to adjust to environmental challenges and continually deliver value for its people. This will surely stand FDC Group in good stead for the future.