As JE undergoes a period of transformation, our finance team is evolving with it. Their stories shows how careers can develop and expand in step with changing business needs.
Katy McBride, Interim Finance Director
What is your role at JE and how has it changed since you joined?
I joined Jersey Electricity back in October 2019 as Head of Internal Audit, so my world was very much governance, assurance and supporting the Board and Executive on risk and control.
Then last year I was given this brilliant opportunity to step into the Interim Finance Director role, which honestly has been a fantastic experience. It's been quite a shift. Moving from an assurance-focused position into leading the whole finance function.
Now I'm involved in people leadership, strengthening our financial controls, supporting some really significant transformation projects, and sitting at the Executive Leadership Team table helping to shape where the organisation is headed. It's been a big evolution but one I've absolutely loved.
What are your career highlights since joining JE?
There have been so many, but being part of the leadership team here and getting to work on some genuinely complex and important areas has been a real highlight, things like major capital investment decisions, transformation programs and strengthening our financial governance. What makes it really satisfying is when you see those changes stick in day-to-day practice, not just sitting in a document somewhere. That's when you know it's made a real difference.
Tell us about your team
I am genuinely so lucky with this team! They're a brilliant group: committed, capable and they really care about doing things well and doing the right thing. There's a great mix of experience and perspectives, and what I love is that there's a real willingness to step up, take ownership and look out for each other. That never gets old. I care a lot about creating an environment where people feel trusted and supported, but also appropriately stretched.
Is there anything that you're looking forward to in relation to the finance team developments or personally?
From a team perspective, I'm really excited about continuing to build on the foundations we've been putting in place, making finance a genuinely effective partner to the rest of the business. JE is going through a really interesting period of change, and I want us to be right at the heart of that, adding real value. On a personal level, I'm just enjoying the ride honestly. It's been a big couple of years and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Advice for job seekers and development in your career. Get your fundamentals really solid, but please don't underestimate how much relationships, curiosity and good judgement matter alongside the technical stuff. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and say yes to things that scare you a little, even if you don't feel completely ready, because that's usually where the best growth happens.
Carla Abreu, Finance Assistant
When did you start at JE and what was your role?
I joined JE three years ago as part of the accounts payable (AP) team. My role focused on core accounts payable responsibilities, including processing supplier invoices, managing payment runs, reconciling supplier accounts and handling queries to ensure timely and accurate payments. This gave me a great foundation in understanding the business and how different teams collaborate.
Tell us about your career at JE so far, any highlights?
Since joining JE, I’ve had the opportunity to develop my skills and take on new challenges. Some highlights include supporting training sessions for colleagues, as well as taking the initiative to develop myself by completing courses focused on AP development. These experiences have helped me strengthen both my technical knowledge and my confidence in supporting others within the team.
You’ve recently moved teams, tell us about this and the process?
I’ve recently joined the Accounts Credit Control team. The move came after open discussions with my manager about my career goals and areas I was keen to explore further. The process was very supportive, with a smooth handover from my previous role and a structured onboarding into the new team. Everyone has been really welcoming, which has made settling much easier.
What are you most excited for either at JE or within your career?
I’m very excited about taking on my new role and continuing to develop myself further. I’m looking forward to building my knowledge within credit control, taking on new challenges and continuing to grow my skills while contributing to the team and wider business.
Oliver Mallet, Management Accounts Officer
When did you start at JE and what was your role?
I joined JE 2022, as part of the Accounts Payable team. My role mainly involved processing invoices and supplier queries.
Has your role changed if so how?
I moved to a new role in Management Accounts in July 2024. Since joining this team I have moved away from processing and become much more involved in the company’s financial reporting. Taking on a lot more responsibility than where I first started, which has been a challenge, but a really rewarding one!
What does an average day at work look like?
In my role I do have daily core tasks, however I often receive different additional tasks throughout the day from all areas of the business which keeps everyday different.
Why did you decide to apply, what attracted you to the role and JE?
I applied to JE whilst holding a space for a course at a university in the UK, as I wanted to gain a bit of experience in the workplace before making the move. I have always had an interest in engineering projects and with JE exploring a lot of alternative power projects such as ground mounted solar, I thought it would be really interesting to see the work that goes into these projects both from an internal and financial perspective. I ended up enjoying it so much that I turned down my university place and stayed put!
Can you talk a bit about your progression or your hopes for your career at JE in the future?
JE has been really supportive of my progression and development, I am currently studying for my accountancy exams with the goal of being a qualified accountant.
Andy Esnouf, Finance Operations Manager
When did you start at JE and what was your role?
I joined Jersey Electricity in August 1998, starting in the Customer Service team. My role involved handling customer queries and supporting the company’s credit control processes.
Has your role progressed if so how?
When we moved to our new offices, I was given the option to move into either customer care or finance. I chose finance and haven’t looked back since. I started as an office junior and worked my way through a number of roles within the finance team, building experience across the finance function. As I progressed, I took on more responsibility, including overseeing processes, supporting system improvements, financial reporting and helping manage team workloads. That’s led to my current role as Finance Operations Manager and overseeing the Accounts Receivable function, with a focus on improving processes and supporting the wider business.
Tell us about your team and the work dynamic in the team?
I manage a team of seven within Accounts Receivable, covering billing, credit control, Direct Debits, Hire Purchase, Pay As You Go and general customer queries. It’s a busy environment with high volumes, so we rely on working closely together and supporting each other to stay on top of arrears and meet deadlines. I like to keep things open and approachable, so the team feel comfortable raising issues and we can resolve them quickly. I also encourage cross training so we’re not reliant on individuals, and I like to challenge the team to take on more responsibility and develop their skills and knowledge so they can reach their full potential. Overall, i would say we’re a hands on team that works well under pressure and stays focused on resolving issues while maintaining control of debt and cash collection for the company.
What are you most excited for either at JE or within your career?
What excites me most is the change we’re going through at JE. There’s a real opportunity to improve systems and processes and create better ways of working for the future, which is something I really enjoy being part of. I like working in a fast-paced environment where I’m constantly being challenged. It keeps me engaged, and I find it rewarding when those challenges lead to improvements for both the team and the wider business.
Advice for job seekers and development in your career.
My advice would be never feel afraid to ask questions or take on new challenges, that’s where I’ve learned the most. Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone really makes a difference, it’s how I moved into finance and helped build my confidence and resilience. I'd also say it’s important to understand the wider business and how everything fits together, not just your own role or part of a process. And probably the biggest one for me at the moment is being open to change. Things are always evolving, and the more adaptable and willing to learn you are, the more opportunities will come your way.
