At Metier Peoples, we are thrilled to be supporting the National Trust for Scotland on key hires within their finance function.
We’d like you to meet Dawn Menday – Finance Director at the Trust, leader of the finance function. We asked Dawn some questions about her career to date, her role, and about working at the Trust.
Questions:
1. What does a typical day look like for you?
Being in the role for almost 12 months now, no two days are ever the same. We’ve recently completed the drafting of our Annual Financial Statements and are in the final days of our annual audit too. Given the diversity of the National Trust for Scotland, every day brings a new opportunity to learn, and to help and support by providing guidance across the organisation. Today’s topics have ranged from discussions about the Peatland Restoration at Mar Lodge Estate, to a significant project which will see us updating all of our EPOS technology across the range of properties we have open to visitors.
2. What do you enjoy about working for the National Trust for Scotland?
I enjoy the variety of challenges that come with managing the Finances of the Trust. During the recent period of restrictions and closures, everyone has worked hard to continue to ensure that all of the properties, wildlife and nature has continued to be cared for and to be here ready to welcome visitors back. I’m looking forward to getting out this summer to visit the wonderful places we look after and to meet more of the fantastic team of employees and volunteers
3. With the launch of the Trust’s 10-year strategic plan, leading to its Centenary Year, what do you envisage for the finance function and opportunities within the team?.
The 10 Year Strategic plan will ensure that we continue to work as a team to protect what we care for so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. It’s a privilege being in a position to play a significant part in such a fantastic organisation, focussed on Conservation, Engagement and Sustainability. During the first 3 years, as an organisation, we will be engaged in planning and recovery. The Finance team will be at the heart of the organisation to ensure that it is not only provided with a great service, but insight and analysis to ensure the long term sustainability of the Trust. Within the team, there is a great deal of energy and sharing ideas to improve not only what we do on a daily basis but also to find new ways in which we can help others to make the best decisions. We are embracing new tools, cross training and sharing learning.
4. How has your job changed with more people working from home?
I joined the Trust in the summer last year, at a time when the Finance team was working fully remotely. It was an interesting challenge to get to know the team and to understand the organisation from the comfort of home. In contrast, the majority of our properties were open 7 days and so getting out to meet people for coffee and to have so many alternative places to work remotely from was great. We are now working in a Hybrid pattern, in the office 2/3 days per week and will probably be finding our feet for a little time yet. It’s so fabulous to know, that If I choose to, I can go and work in a Palace or Castle for the day!
5. How have you had to change your management style over the last two years following the COVID pandemic and what works well for you and your team?
Ensuring people feel connected is something that has required additional focus. We probably all took for granted the coffee machine chats or saying hello as you swing by a desk and chatting about anything, weather, last night’s TV! These human interactions can be so fleeting yet intensely important in building and maintaining relationships. Making time to just check in with people at first felt a little forced, but as we have all gotten used to Teams, the chatter and sharing through group conversation has become second nature. As we evolve again into Hybrid working, It’s been enjoyable to hear the chatter and buzz from the team and see people laughing, sharing and working together.
6. How do you think finance professionals will have to change to be successful in “the new norm” to make hybrid working sustainable?
I feel being more structured around segmenting working days will help us to be successful. Planning days where online meetings are done at home and co-ordinating across the team on days when you are in the office together will ensure we can make the most of face to face interactions and provide space for creativity to flow more easily. Ensuring face to face time with stakeholders is also planned, ensures that we are fully engaged and committed to providing the best support and guidance.
7. What career advice would you give your younger self?
The career advice I would give to my younger self is to be brave, look for new experiences and opportunities, as we often find out quite by accident, what we are good at and most importantly what we enjoy. Look for great role models as an inspiration, seek feedback and relish challenges as learning opportunities.
8. If you could invite two people to a dinner party (living or not) who would you choose and why?
Dinner parties can be great, for my choice of guests I’d quite enjoy relaxing in the garden and sharing food and stories around a fire. Guest 1 would be Bruce Parry, I admire the adventurer that he is and how he readily adapts to situations he encounters. His appreciation of nature and people is boundless and it’s heart warming to see how he builds relationships with people and brings their stories to life. Guest 2 would be my granny. She was born in 1909 in Edinburgh, played golf, roller skated, tap danced and was a bookbinder to trade. Having lost her in my teenage years, I wish I had had time to ask more questions of a wonderful woman who lived through 2 world wars.
