Kerri Smyth

Position & Organisation: People Business Partner, Kukoon

Remit: Ireland (All Island)

Number of Employees: 60-70

Give us an idea about your early life and career: 

When I was in school, languages were my thing. I studied French and Spanish to A-Level and I went on to study International Business with French at Queen's University, Belfast. In my third year, I secured an internship at EY in Luxembourg in a Recruitment role and ended up loving it. So, when it came around to looking for a job after graduation, I focused on recruitment and found a job in a French tech start-up in London. 

After a year in London learning the ropes of tech recruitment, I moved to Paris in November 2020 - which had been a dream of mine for a long time. I ended up working in Paris for four and a half years, in Talent Acquisition roles for two high-growth tech scale-ups. These years were so monumental for me and they gave me skills and opportunities that I couldn't have gained elsewhere. 

I made the decision to leave Paris and move back to Northern Ireland in May 2025 and have since been working at Kukoon as a People Business Partner. This is my first HR-focused role, and I'm loving getting stuck into everything that it throws at me! 


What are the key challenges you face in your role?  

In my first six months at Kukoon, the key challenges I’ve been focused on have been recruitment, attracting talent and onboarding. As a growing company, finding the right people - those who are skilled, engaged, and aligned with our culture - has been a priority. It’s been about refining our recruitment processes, from interviews and assessments to creating a welcoming, structured onboarding experience that sets new hires up for success in those crucial first few weeks.

Looking ahead, the next challenge is ensuring our managers are equipped with the skills, resources and support to lead and help grow their teams in a way that keeps them motivated and thriving at Kukoon. It’s about creating an environment where people feel empowered, confident, and challenged. 
 

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?