Let's say hello to...
I do all the sums but it's never just about numbers.
Hi, I’m Fiona, Chief Financial Officer here at Heriot-Watt Student Union. If you’re wondering what that actually means, I look after the Union’s money. Budgets, funding, strategy, the sums that keep this place running so we can support students to thrive.
I originally lived outside Edinburgh and moved into the city for work. It is such a brilliant place for young people. It’s got opportunities and a sense of character you don’t find everywhere. I first came to the Union for a six-month project... and that was twelve years ago! I was asked to stay on, and I’ve been here ever since. That says a lot, doesn’t it?
Before this, I trained as an accountant and spent years working in the corporate world. Eventually, I moved into the charity sector and that’s when the shift happened. There’s something deeply rewarding about knowing the work you do is helping people build their futures. That’s what has kept me here, the purpose never changes, even though the work always does.
A typical day? One moment I’m reviewing financial reports for the trustees, the next I’m working with the Advice Hub to make sure students in crisis can access support. I collaborate closely with different departments because every part of the Union is touched by finance. My job is to make sure they’ve got what they need to make students’ lives better. One of the things I’m proudest of is where we are financially today. To know we’re in a place where we can confidently invest in student experiences is a big deal.
If I had to pick one of the Union’s values, it’s Empowering. Managing money well empowers us to take action. It’s about creating an environment where money isn’t a scary topic. Where staff and officers can be honest about challenges and find solutions. My team is here to enable ideas, not restrict them.
Outside of work, I’m all about friends and family. I love swimming, reading, planning holidays. One of my favourite holidays ever was going clubbing in Ibiza for my friend’s 60th, it’s never too later for glowsticks and great tunes!
Oh, and I once gave Calvin Harris a lift to the train station after a gig… only to be mistaken for his mum. True story. I think that officially makes me his decoy.
Ways to get in touch with me...