My workplace is pretty special; not many people can say they look at a rocket through their office window or meet astronauts. The Space Centre is more than just a visitor attraction; it has a film design studio and provides a lot of education around space, so conversations are very diverse.
It is great to work with people who are passionate about the ‘delivery of space’ for everyone. My finance team are brilliant. The finance function has evolved to become a business partner and is looking at financials more strategically than just data. This allows the business to plan for the short term and long term more effectively.
My interest in finance started at an early age. My dad was a taxi driver and used to ask me to count his cash. He became self-employed in a different career when I was nine, so I did his books, and kept his records and receipts organised.
I’m proud of winning an award for the ACCA distance learning student group I set up
I left university early, after deciding I wanted to earn and learn. I took a job as a finance assistant, where I was given a laptop, boxes of contracts and paperwork, and the staff payroll, with no one to ask for advice. It was a steep learning curve that set up my career, and one I will always be grateful for.
My biggest achievement was recently implementing a finance system in only 10 weeks. Despite some teething problems, we are now on our way. This was the first major change in the finance processes for nearly 25 years. I’m also proud of winning a PQ Magazine Editor’s Choice award for the ACCA distance learning student group, which I set up on Facebook.
If I had law-making powers, I would change maternity-leave provision
If I had law-making powers, I would change maternity-leave provision. Women often suffer from taking a career break after having a baby. Some feel that they must leave their job due to high childcare costs; others feel pressured to return to work earlier than they would like. I would make the UK adopt a model like Norway’s, with maternity pay that gives financial support throughout the first year.
In my spare time, I’m trying to learn to DJ. I also enjoy listening to live music whenever I get a chance. I love to travel, seeing the world and experiencing different cultures. I have a little person in my life, too, who also loves space and rockets and keeps me very busy.
