Q&A with Jennifer McGroarty, Head of HR – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure

This week marks Scottish Careers Week (10th – 15th November 2025), a Scotland-wide campaign highlighting the breadth of industries, career paths and opportunities across Scotland, alongside the support available to help people of all ages realise their potential.

In recognition of the week, we spoke with Jennifer McGroarty, Head of HR – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, to find out what inspired her career, where her career path has taken her, and some words of advice for people considering their career options.

How did you get into HR?

I first got into HR while working for a large supermarket chain during university, where I was studying a management degree with HR.

I started by supporting with payroll administration, which quickly developed into helping with recruitment and onboarding — sparking my passion for supporting people and creating great workplace experiences.

How did your career path bring you to the Compass family?

After graduating, I moved into a standalone HR role for a different retailer (an independent co-operative society) covering the full employee lifecycle, before progressing into financial services and now contract catering.

I’m currently Head of HR for our ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure sectors at Compass Group UK & Ireland, and I feel incredibly privileged to support our people who deliver catering and facilities management on offshore platforms, remote sites and government locations.

As a working mum, I understand first-hand the importance of flexibility, balance, and supportive workplaces that enable people to thrive both personally and professionally. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that not only supports our people to grow but also creates real social value in the communities we serve.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Definitely the variety — no two days are ever the same. I love spending time out in the business, recognising our teams, understanding their challenges and (hopefully) helping with solutions and options.

I’m passionate about development and wellbeing, whether that’s through career pathways, apprenticeships, development programmes, or initiatives like our menopause campaign and our latest ‘Let’s Talk About Leaks’ campaign.

What advice would you offer to someone thinking about next steps in their career?

My advice to anyone considering their career options would be to stay curious: ask questions, and then ask more. Be proactive, share your ideas, and always look for ways to make a difference. You never know where those questions might take you.

At Compass, we recognise that not everyone’s learning pathway takes the same route, so, as part of Our Social Promise, we have different options for people to learn, develop and progress their careers with us.

For more information on our apprenticeships, Graduate Programme and career pathways, take a look at our jobs page: Careers | Jobs & Vacancies | Compass Group UK&I