In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Jamie Cooke, managing director at fscom, a Belfast headquartered governance, risk and compliance consultancy for financial services institutions
What was your first job?
I set up a gardening business one summer and managed to ‘pick up’ contracts from my parents and neighbours. I quickly realized it was back breaking work!
What qualifications do you have?
I am a qualified accounting technician with a degree in accounting and finance.
What do you attribute your success to?
Drive and ambition are vital in business. All businesses have challenges, so keeping that burning sense of ambition is key. Also surrounding yourself with great people. I am fortunate to have great mentors and colleagues. A bit cliché, but fundamentally true.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
A people person who creates a fun and open environment.
Who do you look up to in business?
My dad ran a successful business for 30 years which inspired me to start fscom. I also look up to Paul Mulholland and Jeremy Harbinson from Harbinson Mulholland, whose passion and hard work taught me to love what I do.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
By showing them the vision and getting collective buy in. High performance is about aligning with strategy, clear communication, and giving people space to excel.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
We have a great education system here, yet I think the focus remains on certain professions such as law and medicine. I would love that to be broadened into growing professions like risk and compliance consulting.
What website or app could you not do without?
According to my phone, I can’t do without BBC Sport and the FT! Very boring but true.
What was the last book you read?
The Gruffalo last night with my youngest, although she was trying to take over the story! Probably the most important book I have read is The Trusted Advisor by David Maister, which is the bible for consulting.
What car do you drive?
An Audi Q7 because I have three kids and we love going to Donegal. Short of getting a lorry, it’s the most practical alternative.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
My degree was not the best class but I have managed, alongside colleagues, to build a leading consulting practice in the UK and Ireland. Qualifications are important, but they are not barriers. A far bigger barrier is lack of drive and ambition.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Undoubtedly sport, particularly rugby and golf. I have been coaching my son’s mini rugby team for six years which I hugely enjoy. I’m also really into politics, particularly American. Pretty weird considering I have never lived there!
