Back in the day my first relevant jobs were in oil and gas contracting to gain experience with Occidental BP and Chevron. This gave me insights primarily into not wanting to work for a large oil and gas operator and being pigeonholed into one area. I was given a fantastic opportunity when my daughter was young to join a dynamic Engineering consultancy as office manager and part of that role involved oversight of the finance function. This job grew and I had a big decision to take if I wanted to continue into office management or finance – I took a risk and went for the finance side. I was never drawn or attracted to the academia and many a time started the ACCA then quickly the books gathered dust. I gained huge experience working with a well-qualified and experienced CA who was my best mentor ever – Gordon McLellan. He believed in me, and I still say taught me all I know today. Sadly he is not still here but I often say what would Gordon say or do and the answer comes quickly. Working in the Consultancy I was privileged to grow with the company and very quickly was the financial controller, heading up the finance function opening offices in Baku, setting up Norwegian tax and involved in merger and acquisitions, working in London setting up new systems with companies that had joined the group. Challenging and exciting but true hard work paved the way for the future. Seeing the organisation grow into a group then dissolving through acquisition to larger companies I remembered my not wanting to be pigeonholed and took the opportunity to opt for redundancy after 16 years working with three very inspirational entrepreneurs.

What came next was something I would never have anticipated, loving my role in finance but lacking a bit of purpose a great opportunity came up in the charity sector at Barnardo’s. This was a role where I had huge autonomy negotiating for funding for hugely valuable services, I did not even know existed in the Northeast. Working with two directors developing services for vulnerable children - great diverse role but I felt I was losing my technical skills so a job match for me arose at a local Learning disability charity Inspire – Joining as Head of Finance and it quickly promoted to Director of Corp services which included HR and Finance and Business Support . This was the best job – a job with a purpose, hands on but strategic and helping shape the future of a charity with great potential. Seven years on I was given the privilege to be the CEO of the charity navigating it through the covid pandemic and latterly a merger with a larger social care organisation.

At this point I thought that age might want to do something different – but after a bit of soul searching, I thought for my final job I really wanted to go back to finance but very clear on what I wanted and where I wanted to be. My current role as Head of Finance at Aberdeen Sports Village came up at the right time and felt like a yes moment. This role takes me back to finance, back to using a lot of my non-financial skills and strategy experience and adding value to a fantastic organisation. A few people asked me why I would want to go backwards – I don’t see it as going backwards but back to what I am best at and can add the most value. And…who knew sports center’s finances could be so complex?

I like being able to tell the story of an organisation in figures, not just looking at the figures but getting under the skin of them to see what they are telling and how can make a difference to the financial position of the organisation. I have to say I love a non-balancing spreadsheet now and again.

I enjoy being part of teams and involved and annoyingly asking lots of questions.

It was not something I had anticipated – I would say I fell into it. I am not one of these people that had plans and career goals – it was very much hard work, trust and being in the right place at the right time.

I feel the vast changes around automation of systems, the use of AI and reduction in paper-based systems will all contribute to a changing model and job. Transformational versus transactional is how I see it with the continuous evolution of technology.

I think the pandemic has changed the world of work – for me I worked at home when I needed peace and quiet to do something – then leading an organisation from a home office where Zoom became a best friend was something that would have taken years had covid not struck . I cant work out how on earth I managed to work in an office 8 till 6 and beyond – working in a hybrid way is much better although the office has its place – for meeting colleagues and learning – having started a new role in a hybrid way - there is nothing in finance that can’t be done electronically and teams is so flexible it is like being in the same room.

Do your homework, know what the reasons are you want to move on – sometimes the grass is not always greener. Are there opportunities you are seeking out with that could come from within the organisation you are in. I have worked for very few organisations but had the great opportunities of developing within the companies.

And of course, speak to Andrew and Becca - this was by far the most inspiring career conversation I had – really helped me focus on what the art of the possibility was.

Impostor syndrome is real – you must believe in yourself and your ability to progress. Do not be afraid of hard work. Most of all you will make mistakes – admit them, learn from them and most of all always do your best. LISTEN.

I want to continue to make a difference, use my skills and feel part of something. Most important for me is having a purpose, ensuring my team feel supported and developing them to be the best that they can be. I always say I want to make a difference to the NHS so maybe at the right time I will consider seeking out a non-exec position. I often think now if I was 10 years younger I would do… Age will not be a barrier to me.

My family is the most important thing to me – my daughter has had a challenging health period so being there for her and my gorgeous 9-year-old grandson is my priority. I enjoy travel and particularly cruising, spending time with friends and I like a few holistic therapies. I have still not mastered the art of work life balance yet.

My colleagues at ASV would be shocked to read – back at the age of 14 I used to attend the Aberdeen Athletics Club on the exact same spot that our building is on – and my specialty was the hurdles. It takes me all my time to get from one end of the building to the next now 😊