60 Seconds with Sinead Stewart

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
My name is Sinead Stewart. I am a Director in the Banking and Finance Department of Cleaver Fulton Rankin. Cleaver Fulton Rankin is a full-service commercial law firm in Belfast with over 130 years of heritage. We provide legal advice and services to both businesses and individual private clients, offering advice in areas such as employment and immigration, dispute resolution, private client matters, company & commercial, commercial property, planning and environment, banking and finance, procurement, legal technology and construction. 
In my role, I advise banks, financial institutions and borrowers across various industry sectors in relation to general corporate lending, real estate finance, development finance, debt restructuring, distressed real estate projects and loan portfolio sales. I also act for insolvency practitioners in the management and sale of distressed real estate across Northern Ireland, England and Wales and Ireland. 
As a Director, I also have responsibilities relating to management of the business, business development, marketing, HR, training and mentoring junior members of staff. 

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.

I graduated from Queens University with a degree in Law and French. I then attended the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, York, followed by a training contract in a commercial law firm in Birmingham and subsequently qualified into that firm’s Banking and Finance Department in 2006. In 2008, I accepted an offer from an international firm based in London to work in their Real Estate Finance team. I relocated back to Northern Ireland in 2013 and worked for a commercial law firm (based in Belfast) in their Banking and Finance team until I joined Cleaver Fulton Rankin, as a Director, in August 2023. I am qualified to practice law in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Dedicated, personable, motivated

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?

Communication. A career in law is very people orientated; having the ability to communicate in a clear and effective manner with clients and colleagues is very important so that all sides are working to the same timescales and are clear on what is outstanding. It’s very satisfying when you complete a deal or solve an issue for a client which achieves both the client’s commercial goals and gives them the legal protection they need; effective communication is one of the key elements in achieving this.

What advice do you have for women in your sector/industry/type of role? 

Never stop learning and believe in yourself and your abilities (belief in yourself can be especially difficult after a period away from the office, such as maternity leave – but never doubt yourself; you will catch up). You will always encounter people who have more experience than you throughout your career; learning from people with more experience will help you to grow personally and professionally. Adopting a learning attitude throughout your life will help you to become a well-rounded, educated and fulfilled individual and professional.


Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

I have met many inspirational people both personally and professionally throughout my career and I am always very impressed by people who went out on a limb to set up their own business. There are a lot of success stories in Northern Ireland, particularly when you take into account both the historic and current trading environment. Personally, I would have to say that my parents are my biggest inspiration as they have taught me how to deal with challenges, rationalise and have a good work ethic.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

I love all genres of music, so I do not really have a particular soundtrack song, though I do enjoy 80’s music, U2, Bon Jovi and it’s hard to beat a bit of Irish trad.

What's your favourite break-time snack?

I am partial to a pain au chocolat or a fifteen from time to time.

How can you fellow WIB members keep up to date with you and your organisation?

Connect with Sinead Stewart on LinkedIn
Connect with Cleaver Fulton Rankin on LinkedIn