I was working at Zurich Financial Services when I completed my ACCA exams in 2006 and decided to take a year off and embarked on a life-changing adventure with my wife. We travelled to Australia and New Zealand on a working holiday visa. But what started as a 12-month plan turned into six years. When in Sydney, I used my ACCA qualification to secure a sponsored role, where I obtained a diploma in management and completed a leadership development programme. This was an amazing personal and working experience.
Since returning to the UK in 2012, I’ve progressed into senior finance roles. I am now leading the finance workstream of a major business project as part of LV’s finance transformation strategy. I will be sharing my insights as a panel participant at the World Finance Council in Dubai this month and at the India Fintech Convention in March.
As a DJ I play in front of thousands at festivals and stadiums
The most pressing issue for accountants today is the advance in technology. It is vital to balance digital transformation with mathematical precision, while upholding the ethical fabric, sustainability considerations and data governance in a heavily compliance-driven environment. Accountants need to develop beyond traditional skills, cultivating adaptability, engagement and innovation.
A quote that always resonates with me is: ‘What you do when no one is looking defines you.’ It is the hard work we do ‘off the field’ to apply ‘on the field’ that makes us grow.
I’ve always had a deep passion for numbers, music and sport. As a child, I loved solving problems and working through maths challenges. I’ve also been a DJ since the mid-90s, starting with mixing cassette tapes and vinyl at house parties before moving on to play in front of thousands at festivals and stadiums. One of my favourite roles is being the welcome host DJ at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton for their Hampshire Hawks Vitality Blast T20 and England international cricket matches.
It’s a privilege to combine my passions and contribute to worthwhile initiatives
Cricket is big passion. I serve as a non-executive director on the Hampshire County Cricket Board, coach as an ECB Level 2 cricket trainer, and volunteer for charities such as the Bob Willis Fund and Cricket Builds Hope. It’s a privilege to combine my passions and contribute to these worthwhile initiatives, as well being UK Super Royals Ambassador for the ‘Royals’ global cricket franchise.
