At aged 16 attending Wallington Grammar School for Girls, studying A levels, I wanted to work in a museum, anything to do with History. The world changed for me, age 17 married with a baby in a 2-bedroom council house. Fast forward a few years, divorced, worked in a greengrocer for 12 years to support my family. Once my son had some independence, I obtained a job paying invoices for London Borough of Sutton in the Direct Service Organisation Department. I moved on to financial admin in the catering department and transport department. In 1994 we were offered training; I had no degree, so for the next six years I spent three years studying for my AAT qualification and straight on to CIPFA for three years, passing all exams at first sitting. I worked full time, including becoming Transport Manager, managed my son and family and did for the first three years at night school after work.
After qualifying I worked with councillors as their financial support but got disheartened so started work for myself doing temporary contracts within Local Authorities in London. It was at that point I had another major change in my life; I obtained a new partner who lived in the Western Isles. I moved here in 2006 as a consultant to help sort out the finances working with the Scottish Government team too, who were sent to help turn NHS Western Isles around. Other than a brief nine months at Dounreay I have stayed, taking a permanent job in 2012 and working my way to Director of Finance and Procurement. My experience in Local Authorities meant I was also offered the role of Chief Finance Officer for the IJB.
My love is management accounting; I love operational management (the way the hospitals run etc) which I can do in my role in NHS Western Isles; Director of Finance and Procurement but also managing transportation, so have the best of all worlds. Working for a small Board is so satisfying as you learn so much about how Health works operationally as you are more hands on.
I started from nothing, but my love of knowledge, natural ability for numbers and ability to multitask at a high-functioning level. Anything is possible with perseverance, belief in yourself and knowing that being different, not coming up through academic route does not make you less! Life experiences mould you and turn you into the capable person you are and need to be today. I started my financial career later than most, but never let age or your present life define you – you can be who you want to be, it is never too late!
PS I do family trees in my spare time so never lost my love of History.
For more information contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
