I am part of the Business Services and Outsourcing team at BDO, leading the French and German desks. My clients include, for example, exciting tech and life science scale-ups, mid-market manufacturing firms, retailers and large multinational hotel and automotive groups. We support them with a broad range of accounting, tax and advisory services.
What I enjoy most about my role is the international dynamic. Working with diverse clients and teams across French and German-speaking Europe allows me to engage with many cultures and perspectives. I love building those relationships. I also have a real passion for mentoring and supporting others. I tried my hand at lecturing and tutoring accountancy and finance subjects for business students earlier in my career, and to this day I still give three or four weekend seminars a year.
I grew up in Germany and, after I finished school, my local job centre suggested accountancy training with Siemens in Paris. My years there were really enriching, not least because it was there that I met my husband. After completing my French accountancy qualification, I came to London for a year to continue my degree in business studies, but then found an employer who offered to finance my further studies – it was a great opportunity. Having completed ACCA and an MBA with a special focus on international management, I moved from industry into practice. With my languages (French and German), I worked with UK subsidiaries of overseas groups in the UK. I have long found the international dimension really rewarding.
I have a real passion for mentoring and supporting others
One of the most pressing issues for professionals today is the evolving role of the CFO. They are no longer just custodians of financial data; they are increasingly viewed more as a chief value officer – the architects of long-term, sustainable value. BDO and ACCA have explored this transformation in our joint report, Chief value officer – the important evolution of the CFO. We’ve recently launched phase two of the report, exploring key strategic challenges through our interviews with CFOs from household names.
Away from work I enjoy spending time with family (I have two sons) and friends in London. I also enjoy travelling and exploring the wild outdoors, most recently in Namibia and Costa Rica.
