After training in external audit gaining my professional accountancy qualification, I worked in management consultancy at a Big Four firm, then moved into cricket as the tournament accountant for the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
A career break followed to focus on my young children and I returned to the ECB in a part-time role in the Professional Game team, before returning to finance. I sit on the Finance Leadership Team, looking after The England & Wales Cricket Trust and overseeing the CPA finance standard across the 38 Recreational Cricket Boards.
Growing up, girls weren’t encouraged to play cricket and I rarely saw media coverage of women’s sport. But with a cricket-mad dad (an India supporter!), sport was always on the TV. Now, I feel privileged to call Lord’s my office and to work in a culture that supports balancing work and parenting.
A perk is bringing my son and daughter to family-friendly matches like The Hundred double headers so they can see women’s sport as the norm. I especially enjoyed taking my daughter to the Oval for the Women’s T20 Blast final then watching England Women win the Euros on the same day!
My message to women and girls: there is a place for you in the game, use your professional skills like I have, volunteer at your local club, or just pick up a bat and play!