Tell us a little more about yourself. 

I was born in Bradford, got married and moved to Germany, moved around a lot and came back to the UK years later to get divorced, back to Yorkshire where I met my now husband, James. 

I decided to go back to study and Qualified AAT and went on to CIMA, whilst working full time – not the easiest way around to do things. 

I’m a lifelong vegetarian and love to cook. I also love to garden; I enjoy being outdoors and seeing the results of a long day weeding and digging (with a glass of wine in hand). 

We have missed being away on holidays during COVID-19, and so having recently been back to Cape Verde in July and we are soon going back to the Dominican Republic for some late summer sun. 

How long have you worked at BrightCloud Group? 

Almost two years now and loving every minute! 

Describe a typical day in your role. 

There is no typical day in the life of an Accountant.  Every day is different, there are so many tasks to do in each month, and it’s cyclical. As we are a small business, I do all the finance admin, start to finish, processing right up to management accounts plus payroll. 

What were you doing before working at BrightCloud? 

I used to be a Commercial Finance Manager for a large healthcare group. I worked there for 12 years with around 25 direct reports under me by the time I left. Before that, I was an Accounts Manager for a double-glazing company for 11 years.  I’m not a flitter. 

What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of your role? 

Before I joined BrightCloud Group, the board were not getting up to date management information in a timely fashion. I have put in place processes and streamlined information flow so that we now have a full set of accounts by day 5 of each month, and can view variances month on month and make decisions based on that information. 

What is your biggest achievement since working at BrightCloud Group? 

Previously all Accounts and Payroll was being completed by an external group. We very quickly brought that back in-house, regaining control of data and reducing our timing for producing Management Information. 

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you? 

I would imagine direct, organised and discreet. 

Tell us the most memorable moment that has happened at BrightCloud Group whilst you’ve been working there? 

Definitely arm-wrestling in the bar on my first face to face meeting with the team in Birmingham! 

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why? 

I’m not a techie, but my new petrol leaf-blower is a good bit of kit. I wish I’d bought one years ago. 

What item could you not live without? 

Probably my specs; I’m longsighted and obviously I work on screens all day so I would be lost without them! 

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it? 

I have no clue here… again, not a techie! 

If there’s one thing you could change about the industry, what would it be? 

I wish that customers would appreciate the technical ability of the guys who literally ‘make up’ the stuff which makes their systems and businesses work more efficiently. Also, that they are paying for their experience and know-how, not the time it takes them to implement it. 

Who or what has most influenced your career and why? 

My old Financial Controller who encouraged me to study, mentored me and picked me up when I faltered. She always had boundless enthusiasm for inspiring me to continue, even when I had lost the will to continue. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t.