When did you join ELBA / BIG Alliance?
August 2007

What is your role and what does it involve?
As ELBA’s Group Finance Director, I am responsible for steering all financial operations across ELBA and its subsidiaries, including London Works Agency Limited and ELBA Works. I lead the Central Services team, which encompasses the Finance Manager, HR Manager and HR Assistant, ensuring high standards of performance and accountability.

In my role, I provide comprehensive strategic support to the Chief Executive, the ELBA Board and the Finance Committee. I am responsible for the development of robust financial control and reporting systems.

Collaboration with the senior management and leadership teams is vital as I manage ELBA’s portfolio, which includes over 15 individually funded projects. I ensure the delivery of timely and precise management information systems (MIS), while actively contributing to ELBA’s strategic vision and broader business objectives.

Three words to describe yourself
Diligent, methodical and charitable.

Tell us one thing that people may not know about you
I am passionate about being charitable and have dedicated over 20 years with the help of friends, family and colleagues in fundraising for various causes globally, successfully raising over £100,000 to date.

Tell us some of your favourite ELBA memories over the last 35 years
I joined ELBA’s graduate programme called CATS (Community Affairs Trainee Scheme) in 2007, since renamed to Eagles. The Eagles programme is a paid graduate development programme which involves 3 weeks of inclusive training and then six months placement at a City or Canary Wharf company. My placement was at Lloyd’s of London. The programme really helped transition from the academic world into the world of work. The training received during the programme was excellent, very well thought through and invaluable, followed by the placement which allowed for this transition to be made smoothly.

I first came across CSR during my second year of degree, I was so fascinated I did my dissertation on it. Through word of mouth, I heard about ELBA and the CATs scheme and jumped at putting an application in. Since the end of that programme, I managed to secure a position in Finance at ELBA and 17 years on, still here and progressed to GFD. Being able to work for an organisation which is all about supporting the local community and working in finance has been a double benefit, as both I am passionate about.

I thank the Eagles programme for helping me with my development. Who am I if I can’t sell the benefits of the scheme to my network! From closest friends to two of my brothers and even two of my sisters in laws have gone through the programme. And the most significant, my partner also went through the programme, we now have what we call ‘4 Eaglets’.

The diverse workforce at ELBA and what we as an organisation have achieved to support with the regeneration of east London, especially Tower Hamlets where I was born and bred is heartwarming. Living in Tower Hamlets for most of my life I have seen firsthand the issues facing the borough, and how the borough has developed through corporate engagement brokered by ELBA.

Name your favourite place in east London and why
Docklands – having heard about its history and how it has developed from being the ‘Port of London’ to now the second financial district in the heart of London.

Complete this sentence ‘The absolute best thing about volunteering is…’:
…the impact that sharing a little time, skills and expertise can have on individuals from a disadvantaged background.