"Apply for jobs that really interest and challenge you"

Hometown
Bradford

What do you do?
Finance and operations manager, Audiences Yorkshire

What was your very first role related to the theatre industry?
I was finance and contracts manager at the Creative and Cultural Skills Council in 2004-2005 and helped them get their licence to operate from Government.

Have you got qualifications?
I am what is called qualified by experience, meaning that I have worked in finance for the last 15 years and have gained a broad range of skills, especially relating to charity finance and European funding. It qualifies me to produce accounts to the same standard as a fully-qualified accountant.

Did you work in another industry before the theatre?
Yes, I have worked in manufacturing, retail and television

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
I started work in 1999 for the Cultural Heritage NTO which was an organisation that set and maintained educational standards in museums, galleries and heritage organisations. We worked with the new Creative and Cultural Skills Council when it was formed, and I transferred there formally in 2005.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an illustrator

What do you do all day?
Audiences Yorkshire is a registered charity which works closely with theatres and other arts and cultural organisations in Yorkshire, helping to develop audiences and with marketing.

One day I could be helping colleagues put together a budget to include in an application for funding. The next day I might be producing the management accounts for our trading company or negotiating a new premises lease.

One of the challenges for finance people in the arts is understanding the non-for-profit sector whilst still adhering to good financial management practice.

What’s the best thing about your job?
The people I work with are friendly, very good at their jobs and fun!

And the worst?
Sometimes my core accountancy work has to be done when no-one else is around to avoid mistakes or interruptions

What’s your dream job in theatre?
Finance director for one of the major producing theatres

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
I am not qualified, but that has not stopped me gaining the experience needed to fill professional roles. Do not shrink from new challenges. Apply for jobs that really interest and challenge you. Learn from your mistakes.