Katy Taggart

Position & Organisation: HRBP, SHS Group

Remit: Ireland (All Island)

Number of Employees: 300


Give us an idea about your early life and career: 

I grew up in the beautiful town of Antrim. Most of my extended family also lived in Antrim and Ballymena along with strong ties to Belfast and Louth. My summers were a mix of adventures at the stunning North Coast and the serene County Louth, both of which remain two of my favourite places.

For my secondary education, I attended St. Louis until my GCSEs, then moved on to Slemish College for my A-Levels. My academic journey continued at Ulster University in Coleraine, where I immersed myself in a BSc Retail, Marketing, and Customer Service Management, enjoying every moment.

During my placement year I split my time between a luxurious five-star hotel as a HR Assistant and Tesco’s Monitoring Office, both of which were incredible experiences. In my final year, I secured a spot on Tesco’s Store Graduate Programme, which was a challenging yet rewarding experience focused on trading roles.

Following my placement year and ER modules at university I was determined to pursue a career in HR (then known as personnel). I dedicated myself to understanding the various store roles and how HR could add value. My persistence paid off, and after completing the training academy and placement, I was placed in the top-performing Extra store in Ireland. There's truly nothing like the buzz and rhythm of retail!


What are the key challenges you face in your role?  

After a tough week, what’s your go-to for recharging and staying grounded? 

What’s the funniest or most unusual thing that’s ever happened in an interview, and what did it teach you? 

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to someone aspiring to your role, especially in today’s fast-changing world? 

Imagine HR is a reality TV show—what would the title of your episode be?