Testimonials

I joined the University from practice in April 2004, as a Finance Manager working in the Department Services Team, where I supported the provision of management information to a group of academic departments. Within a few months I took the opportunity to cover for a period of maternity leave in the central Group Accounting function, responsible for the production of the University’s consolidated management and statutory accounts; fourteen years or so later and I’m currently the University’s Deputy Finance Director with responsibility for oversight of the University’s commercial operations and SAP Finance systems’ team.

It sounds like a long time when I reflect on it now, but I don’t think my job has stayed the same for a whole year whilst I’ve been at the University – the University is a big and complicated organisation, which means there’s always something to keep you interested and it certainly doesn’t feel all that long! It can be busy and pressured at times, but I wouldn’t want a boring job and the people here are supportive, with continuous collaboration being essential to get things done and make the biggest impact. There’s always opportunities to get involved with new things at the University and, whether it’s a new commercial business venture, or helping support the planning and delivery of a multi-million pound academic building, I feel there’s always been the opportunity to help make a real difference to the how the University works.

Steve Wilkes – Deputy Finance Director