Meet the team: Alison Wade
Meet the the team: Alison Wade
As Finance Manager at South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, Alison is responsible for the day-to-day management of all our financial activity, including financial reporting and compliance.
She is one of the main points of contacts for our Investment Managers and prepares our financial statements and leads the preparation of the annual audit.
She lives in Sheffield with her husband, Mark, and their two children, Chloe and Joe, and dog, Archie.
Tell us about your career, how you got to where you are today?
I have worked in finance for more than 30 years. I fell into the career accidentally. I left college at the age of 18 and completed a summer job. Then I was given a chance to work in an office to cover one a period of maternity leave.
The person who employed me was Melvyn Lunn, who I would meet again later in life when he became a trustee of the Foundation. My first job introduced me to finance and inspired me to go to college in the evenings to take accountancy qualifications.
I have worked in different sectors over my career such as manufacturing, service and now the third, where I have been for the last 15 years.
What inspired you to join the Foundation?
After my own maternity leave in my previous job, I was looking for a fresh start and a better work-life balance. An opportunity came up at the Foundation which was a perfect fit.
What does your role involve?
I look after anything to do with finance, from coding supplier invoices to preparing statutory accounts and budgets.
I sit on the Investment Committee which I find fascinating – observing how the markets influence our endowments.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your role?
What I find most rewarding about my role is knowing when an audit has gone well, there is only me in finance and sometimes I feel it is like taking an exam!
What’s been the highlight of working at SYCF so far?
Knowing that we are helping communities in South Yorkshire. There are so many fantastic stories, of which we have been a part of. Also, I cannot forget my colleagues who are wonderful.
What is your favourite thing about South Yorkshire?
My favourite thing about South Yorkshire is the surrounding countryside, I love the greenery, the hills and there are always new walks to find.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like socialising with friends - I run with a group called Strideout. I enjoy going to my French lessons where we drink red wine. And finally I love going out for walks with my dog, Archie, and family in tow.