My degree was in hospitality and catering, but the most fascinating part of the course was the financial management element. I found a finance role in hospitality and then qualified with ACCA. But after over a decade the sector, I wanted to try something different. I joined a non-profit organisation and then a charity before finding the perfect opportunity at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
I share my values with the DWP. It promotes professionalism, better ways of working, solidarity and inclusivity, and listens to people’s needs. The department encourages us to build finance networks, and I have also been getting coaching and mentoring support from various qualified accountants here. My line managers have been a great support, which has really elevated my confidence.
I feel honoured to work in the DWP because I can make a contribution to improving people’s day-to-day lives
I feel honoured to work in the DWP because I can make a contribution to improving people’s day-to-day lives, helping them to build financial resilience and a more secure future. I am also passionate about finance; I like the challenges around financial queries, reporting, building and maintaining key relationships, and managing our senior stakeholders’ expectations.
If I had law-making powers, I would extend the free school meals scheme to the end of the secondary school. Provision of free school meals is the best platform to promote healthy eating, reduce the prevalence of obesity and remove health inequalities among schoolchildren. It also supports households during this period of rising costs of living. If I did not work in finance, I would have been an entrepreneur running my own food business.
Change is constant, so I believe in regularly seeking new challenges that will keep my knowledge and experience growing. I always want to learn new things. I am also a firm believer in planning, so my favourite saying is ‘Save for the future and enjoy the present.’
When I am not at work I love doing fun things with my daughter, like swimming, reading, watching plays and lots of outdoor activities. I also like to travel, exploring new places and learning about their history, food and all the other interesting things they can offer.
