Name: Gary Quirk
Company Role: Mortgage Adviser
Favourite quote or saying: You can’t win until you’re not afraid to lose.
Hi Gary! Could you please tell us a little bit about your professional background and what brought you to Cherry Godfrey?
I have spent 34 years in the banking sector. My career has been spent covering cashiering, deposits, lending, mortgages, relationship management, specialist relationship management, high risk AML and business controls. I have experience in personal banking, financial institutions, corporate, funds, supranational companies, small business, commercial and real estate.
I had been aware of Cherry Godfrey for a few years through a former colleague and via their vibrant advertising campaigns. I was in the market, looking to get back into mortgages (my passion!) when I saw the role advertised.
Wow, you’ve been busy! What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
I joined the Isle of Man Bank straight from school, so I was a fresh-faced, sixteen-year-old office junior! I learned how to treat customers well and to go the extra mile which is so important in building long term relationships.
Following on from there I’ve worked for Northern Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland International/NatWest International and – in their South Africa branch – Standard Bank.
In your opinion, what makes someone a great leader?
Someone who is supportive, engaging, empathetic, inspiring, trustworthy and a great communicator with a genuine interest in the growth of their team.
Absolutely. Can you please tell us about the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced at work and how you overcame it?
For two years I dealt with personal, business, corporate, commercial, and real estate clients who were suffering financial distress as a result of the credit crunch (post 2008). I was tasked with helping the clients whilst ensuring the bank was covered from a risk perspective and returning both to financial health.
I communicated with the clients and my seniors on a regular basis, working towards an agreed strategy. I had many difficult conversations over those two years, but was always confident that I was doing the right thing for the client and the bank.
That does sound really challenging. Can you please name one thing you love about Cherry Godfrey?
The family story and the culture of the business.
Absolutely – family is at the heart of our story and our attitude to service. What would you say are the daily habits that help you succeed?
I sleep well, I eat a balanced diet, I take a lunchtime walk and walk my dog and cycle regularly in the evenings and weekends. I like to connect with people and share some humour! I try not to take life too seriously, think positively and focus on what I can change, rather than what I can’t.
Very wise! And if you were able to invite any three people round for dinner (living or dead), who would you choose – and why?
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrows – inspirational men who have raised millions for MND (Motor Neurone Disease). Despite what they are going through, their humour remains. I would also invite Roy Keane – I admired him as a winner and leader of Manchester United and he is hilarious as a football pundit!
That’s a great combination! And, finally, what do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I love spending time with my teenage daughter, doing various outdoor activities such as mountain biking, aqua biking, kayaking and bodyboarding. I also enjoy walking and playing with my eighteen-month-old Cavapoo puppy, road cycling and undertaking 100-mile cycling sportives. I also enjoy meals with my family and spending time with my friends socialising.
