College/university qualification if applicable:

• CA Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• BA (Hons) International Business and Languages

List of some of the organisations you’ve previously worked:

• Grant Thornton
• Andersen
• Bank of Scotland

What attracted you to SFT as an organisation?

Having worked in the private sector for the first 10 years of my career and spending many of those as a consultant in the infrastructure sector, I was attracted to the opportunity to use my advisory skills to support the public sector at SFT. In particular, SFT was uniquely positioned, and still is, to bring specialist commercial expertise to support government in infrastructure investment delivery.

What team do you work in and what is the main purpose of that work?

I lead our activity in the learning estate, operational contract management, net zero and digital sectors where our work is focused on innovative financing, and the design and delivery of programmes of infrastructure investment. Increasingly the purpose of our work is to support government in enabling investment in the new infrastructure assets needed to deliver a net zero carbon economy in Scotland.

What do you do and what does a day in your work life look like?

Every day is different so let’s describe today as it is relatively typical! In summary; people, programmes, commercial support and interface with partners. My role covers six workstreams and I regularly spend my time with the team leaders. Today I had two sessions, one to cover an end-of-year development review, and one for a fortnightly update on progress against workstream activities and to discuss a current issue that will be covered at the upcoming governance board for that programme. I also took part in a session for government agencies, hosted by the government’s Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan team, who are currently consulting on their draft Plan. I had a short call with the CEO to update him on preparation for a ministerial meeting and later I will take home a technical paper for review and comment that has been prepared by our net zero team on commercial delivery models to support heat decarbonisation.

What is it like to work at SFT?

Most people join SFT because they are motivated, dare I say passionate, about their sector and want to actively contribute by using their specialist skill sets to complement those within the public sector. Working at SFT, I feel energised by that motivation and proud of the expertise and knowledge that my colleagues bring.

What motivates or inspires you? 

I think I'm a delivery person at heart. Concepts are great but I’m at my best when I can start to break it down and move an idea into something achievable and tangible. In infrastructure that can be tough when assets can take five years plus to develop, many years to build and then last over 50 years!

What do you like to do outside of work?

I’m a big fan of group gym classes to switch off or settle my mind as well as lovely walks in green places with the dog.