Can you tell us about your career journey? 

I started my career in finance, working at NatWest bank, but after five years I decided to retrain as an accountant. Initially, I worked for a professional accountancy practice, undertaking audit and consultancy whilst studying for my Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification.  After a few years, I moved on to work in the finance department of a global construction company, where I gained lots of useful experience in different roles and began to be interested in IT and systems. To achieve the next rung on the career ladder, I then moved to work for a large charity where I began to specialise in financial systems; they also supported me in studying to become fully qualified with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).  I then gained a position managing a team who looked after the financial systems at Blackburn with Darwen Council, working there for several years before taking the opportunity to move into a Senior Lecturer role at Manchester Met.

Tell us about your current role at Manchester Met… 

During my time at Manchester Met, I have taught a variety of different finance and business-based subjects. Working with undergraduate and postgraduate students at various levels of study means that no day is ever the same! 

I had the opportunity to undertake the Level 4 Year Tutor role for five years, and I have been a unit leader for a few different units, both are roles which I really enjoy. I have been a personal tutor, a placement tutor, and a mentor.

I have also worked on several projects across the University, using my systems background to look at digital teaching apps, e-exams, and digital education in general. I am currently link tutor for a partnership project with a university in the Philippines, which I am finding really interesting. One of the roles I enjoy the most, is working with my colleagues to help and support them in making the most of digital teaching tools and resources in their teaching. I am also studying for a PhD alongside my lecturer role.

 What are your greatest achievements so far?  

Achieving a distinction for my MA in Higher Education, being shortlisted for lecturer of the year in the PQ National Awards, and being nominated for the Manchester Metropolitan University Staff Awards twice.

What advice would you give to students who aspire to a career in Accounting, Finance and Banking?

Always be open to the next step of your career, even if it takes you in a direction you hadn’t planned to go!

What does diversity in Accounting, Finance & Banking mean to you?

I started my career at a time when, for many women, it was hard to reach their full potential, and I have spent much of my career working in fields that were traditionally male dominated. Therefore, I now really value the diversity of people that I work with. We are from a variety of different backgrounds and we all bring different but equally valuable perspectives to our team.