Trying for success on the pitch and in business

From rugby fields to boardrooms, Niamh Byrne’s journey is a testament to the power of versatility and determination. In our latest People. Without Compromise article, we speak to Niamh about how her dedication to excellence on the pitch has translated into success in the world of finance.

Hi Niamh, what don’t you compromise on?

I don’t compromise on integrity, teamwork, and personal growth. These three values have guided me throughout my career, both on and off the rugby field.

Let’s start with Rugby. The sport has played a major part in your life for the past 11 years. How did it all start?

Rugby came into my life quite unexpectedly. When I was in secondary school, the local rugby club started a girls’ team. While I mostly played solo sports before, I thoroughly enjoyed rugby from the get-go, especially the teamwork aspect of it — you’re working to achieve a goal with 14 of your teammates, who eventually become your friends, and that process is truly remarkable.

Over the past few years, I’ve been involved with Leinster, Ireland Sevens & Ireland 15s — the first thing I did out of college was a year with the National Sevens squad, and now I currently play in the Women’s All-Ireland-League (AIL), captaining the Railway Union RFC team. It’s a huge aspect of my life, and one I’m incredibly proud of.

How did the sport shape you as a person?

Rugby has taught me many valuable lessons that have shaped me as a person. The biggest one is that I’m constantly looking for better ways of working together. You have to accept that there will always be differing opinions, but, at the end of the day, we’re collectively working towards a common goal.

Sport has also taught me about leadership values, conflict resolution and how pressure — if channelled correctly — can help with actively finding solutions in any situation. These are my guiding principles for work and personal life.

Rugby has made me a strong advocate for gender equality both on and off the pitch. I have been involved in various initiatives to promote inclusivity in sport and I am proud to be part of the Energia AIL Women’s League, where I represent my team and help grow the profile of women’s rugby within Ireland and beyond.

Gender equality is the second value you won’t compromise on. The digital asset industry is facing challenges with gender diversity. How are you experiencing gender dynamics within this space?

The space is definitely improving and more women are getting involved in the industry. I’ve been with Zodia Custody for two and a half years, and change is happening rapidly. During that time, more women have come into the space, sharing their expertise & making positive impacts. In general, there are now more women in higher management roles within digital asset entities too, which is a great step forward.

I also feel like women in our industry make a big effort to connect with one another, building a friendly and encouraging network. I really enjoy being part of that and always do my best to encourage other women to come into the digital asset space.

There’s obviously a lot of work still to do. But it’s positive to see more and more businesses in the space — like ourselves — making commitments and practising good ethics when it comes to promoting gender equality.

What would your advice be to women looking to enter the digital asset space?

I’ll start by saying that it’s a brilliant industry to be part of as it is constantly evolving. You’re often working together to solve problems in real time, which creates an exciting environment where you learn as you go.

In traditional organisations, it can sometimes feel like someone higher up always has the answers, but in the digital asset space, everything is new and evolving. There are so many incredibly bright people around, working together to figure out what is coming next. It reminds me of playing rugby: you don’t know how you’re going to win, but you strategise and adapt as a team with each game.

Which brings me to my main advice: embrace that uncertainty!  Women are absolutely needed in this space. It’s a growing industry that welcomes people with different mindsets and their ideas for growth and innovation. Don’t hesitate to dive in and contribute!

Let’s talk about your third value: “high standards.” Could you tell us more?

I think it’s simply the recognition that no matter what you do, you want to perform to the best of your ability and strive for excellence. You want to not only put your best foot forward but commit fully to every task.

If it’s training, and you have one hour to train with your teammates, why not make it the best hour and get the most out of it? The same applies to all aspects of work: you don’t want to compromise on what you’re delivering and your performance.

To put it simply, I believe that if you make a commitment — be it in work, sport or any sphere of life — you need to prioritise that and give it your best shot.

So whether you are on the pitch or in the office, your key to success is aiming high while focusing on the team?

Absolutely. In rugby, you start your season and you obviously want to win and lift the trophy at the end. But to get there, you need to focus on training and working closely with your team to prepare for what’s coming at the end of the season. The same goes for my role at Zodia Custody — success is always the result of teamwork. It’s about aligning individual efforts towards a shared vision; it is really the teamwork that makes the dream work.