I'm just starting what I think is one of the most interesting finance roles in local government and, with colleagues at Slough, I'm looking forward to playing my part to continue the journey to stabilise and improve the financial health of the council.

At the forefront of my mind is the reason why we exist and the role we have to play in local people's lives. It is probably why I tend to gravitate to roles where this is brought into the sharpest focus.