*Behind the numbers with Brian Montgomery*
We found out a little more about Brian Montgomery, Senior Director, International Finance, Workday, including his favourite TV show and three books he thinks everyone should read
Since joining Workday 15 years ago, Brian Montgomery has seen it grow from a small, equity-funded startup to a large, publicly quoted, multi-national company. Today, he’s responsible for the international finance function for Workday in EMEA, APJ, Canada and Central America. He also ensures that, as we grow the company, we maintain a best-in-class finance organisation.
We recently sat down with Brian to find out a bit more about the man behind the numbers.
What’s your earliest memory?
I’m not sure how old I was, but I vividly remember when there was a large fire in a field behind our house. The fire brigade had to gain access through our home so it was all very exciting. However, I was not impressed to find out that as a result of this I had missed Sesame Street on TV!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
For a long time I wanted to be a doctor – I loved the idea of making people feel better as a job.
What was your first job?
My first proper job with a wage cheque at the end of the week was working on the factory floor of a meat-packing plant for the summer school break. It was really hard, physical work, but the other workers had a great sense of humour which kept us all going throughout the day.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I made a decision that I wanted to work for a technology firm but I had no experience in that area. So, I met a friend who ran a recruitment company to get his advice. He advised me to find a small tech company with a strong entrepreneurial spirit – that way, my role would be broader than in a larger company and if I worked hard, it would be recognised. That advice led me to work for Cape Clear and then Workday after the acquisition.
It’s nearly always impossible for an individual to solve complex problems on their own and I believe that bringing people onboard with you is key to success.
What’s your proudest achievement?
My wife and I set up an advocacy group called Involve Autism due to the severe lack of school places in south Dublin for autistic children like our son. The early stages of this were very challenging and we felt we were making little progress until we developed a strong relationship with a local MP who made a passionate speech in the Dail (The Irish Parliament) about us and our members’ children. It was a very proud moment for us all because we felt we finally had a voice. It’s nearly always impossible for an individual to solve complex problems on their own and I believe that bringing people onboard with you is key to success. We have a lot more work to do, but schools across Dublin have now opened autism classes thanks to our efforts alongside other parent-led groups.
One of my favourite quotes is from the novel No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy: ‘You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from’
In retrospect, what would you have done differently?
One of my favourite quotes is from the novel No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy: ‘You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from’. It’s important to reflect on what has not gone well in life, but dwelling on what might have been with the hindsight you now have is not all that helpful. Having said that, when I was younger I lived in Spain and then Italy for about a year each. If I could go back, I think I would’ve spent a bit longer in each country.
If they made a film of your life story, who would play you?
Colm Meaney. We’re from the same city and I’d love to see what he’d do with the role of Finance Director!
Three books you think everyone should read?
I don’t know if everyone should read these but they all stuck with me for different reasons.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is a fascinating take on a dystopian future which resonates now as much as it ever has.
Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson: it’s hard to grow up in Ireland and not be fascinated by nationalism and why it exists. This book got me reflecting on how we define ourselves and the systems that uphold that.
Finally, from a business perspective I’d pick Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. This book is about the rise and fall of the company Theranos who claimed to have a new and better way of testing blood. It’s an excellent cautionary tale about the risk of not asking questions and the devastation caused by not acting with integrity in business.
A TV show or series you never get tired of watching?
Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister – still relevant, always funny. Through the advocacy work I am involved with, I can see that it holds true the amount of power the civil service wields. Politicians can be an invaluable gateway to change but you also have to think carefully about the administration that sits behind them. These shows capture this dynamic brilliantly and hilariously.
The last film you saw?
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom. This tells the story of an unwilling teacher who’s sent to teach in the world’s most remote school. It’s a gentle and beautifully touching story. Many of the school children in it are not actors and live a life very close to the one portrayed in the film.
