Working Life: Your career path doesn’t have to be traditional to lead to success

Sharon Scanlan, advisory partner, head of Healthcare and Life Sciences, Grant Thornton

Sharon Scanlon, advisory partner, head of Healthcare and Life Sciences, Grant Thornton.

“I began my career in Cork, studying nursing at UCC and training at Cork University Hospital. I later moved to London to pursue a master’s degree in physiotherapy at King’s College. I subsequently worked at the Royal Free Hospital, in clinical and leadership roles.

“My journey into consulting was far from conventional. Having trained as both a nurse and a physiotherapist, I worked in clinical roles before moving into senior management positions in the NHS where I led service redesign and transformation initiatives — essentially acting as an internal consultant.

“After 10 years in London, I returned to Cork and now live just a few fields away from my parents. I commute to Dublin regularly to oversee Grant Thornton’s national Health and Life Sciences business, and co-lead our growing consulting team in Cork.

“I’ve always had a passion for service improvement and patient care, and consulting offered the perfect way to blend strategic thinking with clinical insight.

“One defining moment came early in my career when a female CEO in the NHS — herself a former clinician — saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. She offered me a management role and said, ‘If I don’t hire you, you’ll be my competition someday, and I don’t want you as my competition.’ That belief in my potential was transformative, and it’s a mindset I bring to mentoring others.

“A highlight has been growing our Health and Life Sciences team from 15 to 70 professionals, including clinicians and life sciences experts. When I joined our Cork office, we had just three consultants.

“What I value most are tangible results — helping redesign patient pathways, guiding national health initiatives, or guiding a Life Sciences client through complex regulatory change. I also find deep satisfaction in mentoring emerging leaders within our team, seeing juniors promoted.

“Watching someone grow in confidence and capability is incredibly rewarding.

“My experience has been that your career path doesn’t have to be traditional to lead to success. My journey from clinical practice to partner in a national consulting firm is proof that diverse experiences are not only valid, they’re invaluable.

“Downtime is precious, I love spending time with my husband and our three little girls and my parents – they’re my greatest motivation. Life is busy, but I try to stay grounded in the things that matter most.”