With over 35 years’ experience in financial and operational teams, I’ve taken a few knocks — but each time, I’ve dusted myself off and got back up again. That resilience, together with curiosity and emotional intelligence, has earned me the role of a modern elder in the vibrant, youthful workplaces where I now thrive.

Today, I use my experience to bring confidence, perspective, and financial and operational skills, while learning from younger colleagues who come with new ideas and an openness to learning. Ironically, it’s only with age that I’ve found the confidence I lacked in my early career.

After graduating from Durham University with a degree in Classics, I wasn’t sure what came next. I enjoyed maths, my father is a chartered accountant, and accountancy seemed like a logical step. So, I joined Arthur Andersen.

It was an exciting but daunting place. The office was very male-dominated, and my confidence often faltered. When I qualified, I seized the chance to transfer to the Sydney office.

That move was transformative. I had spent a year in Australia before university, travelling and soaking up this diverse and vast country, and I loved the freedom and optimism I’d found there. Back in Sydney, I worked with clients in advertising and media — Leo Burnett, Dentsu, and Hill & Knowlton among them. The contrast to my London office was stark. These companies were full of dynamic energy, creativity, and, crucially, women in leadership roles. For the first time, I felt inspired and confident in what I could offer.

After three years, I returned to London, and back into Andersen’s financial markets team — but it wasn’t the right fit for me. Eighteen months later, I moved to Barings Bank as Head of Revenue Reporting.

It was a challenging role. I wanted to make processes more efficient, to bring in new ideas. But many of my older colleagues, who had been there much longer than I had, resisted change. It was frustrating, but it taught me that collaboration across generations requires curiosity, listening, and openness.

I left Barings, determined to return to the energy and dynamism I’d loved in Sydney. It wasn’t easy. I spent six months out of work, searching and doubting myself. Finally, through word of mouth, I landed a maternity cover role as Financial Controller at TBWA. From TBWA, I moved on to Siegel+Gale and later The Partners (Design Consultants) as Finance Partner. In these creative organisations, I found a great mix of youth and experience. I thrived and my career went from strength to strength.

Then life shifted. After my first child, I was refused flexible working on my return. I walked away, soon had my second child, and spent a few years focused on motherhood. When my youngest started school, I re-entered the workforce, divorced and as a single mother. This time, I was a very different person. My confidence was low, my belief in myself shaken. I took a more junior role and rebuilt slowly, step by step, relying on hard work, grit, and determination to regain my footing. Eventually, the time was right to set up my own business.

Today, I work as a Fractional COO/CFO for creative SMEs. I love going into different businesses, assessing what they need and helping them deliver it. Such businesses are peopled with predominantly young workers brilliantly generating sales and revenue through their creativity, but with a rudimentary understanding of financial and operational systems and controls to underpin and frame their businesses. I work with them to build their finance and operational teams, recruiting relevant personnel who are young (but not always!) and often partway through their accounting qualification. I bring experience, patience and knowledge; they bring digital skills and a desire to extend their financial acumen. We learn from each other! I love seeing them grow and flourish, building their confidence and self-belief and the joy when they pass their next exam! They have taught me enhanced excel skills — who knew I could do pivot tables — and a greater empathy for the challenges their generation faces.

Over the years, some of these colleagues have affectionately called me their “finance fairy godmother.” I like that image: someone who swoops in on a regular basis and listens to their challenges, sprinkles some wisdom and guidance, and helps them move forward with clarity and confidence. It captures perfectly the blend of support, encouragement, and practical know-how I aim to bring.

Of course, working across generations isn’t without its differences. Communication styles, for instance, contrast: younger colleagues often prefer messaging for efficiency, while I encourage face-to-face conversations that build real trust. At first, some resist, but over time, they adapt, and we meet in the middle.

Younger colleagues can also sometimes appear more anxious, quicker to worry; my generation was taught to “just get on with it”, which wasn’t always healthy either. I encourage them to experiment and give it a go. Override anxiety with courage. If it doesn’t work as planned, we can work together on an alternative path to a solution.

Work keeps me feeling alive and connected, and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon. That applies to my other interests too! I’ve just completed a padel course and plan to play more. I love music and recently sang my heart out at a Coldplay concert. And I take full advantage of London’s theatre, arts, and cultural scene. I want to slide into my grave sideways, shouting, I’ve lived a good life!

Circle Square Member Quick-Fire Q&A

What 3 words best describe you? Curious, Determined, Adaptable.

If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be? Have more confidence and believe in yourself.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Working with SMEs, both senior management and younger employees, enabling them to achieve their ambitions.

Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner? Currently, it would be Gyles Brandreth. He hosts an excellent podcast called Rosebud in which he talks to fascinating people about their first memories and life experiences.

How has age strengthened your advantage? It has given me a better perspective and clarity, allowing me to maximise people’s potential and build stronger teams.

What inspired you to join Circle Square? Listening to Nick on Avivah Wittenberg-Cox’s “4-Quarter Lives” podcast. I thought Circle Square sounded like a very interesting network of people and would broaden my horizons.