Meet Lucy – People Not Products

Our team interview series continues with Lucy Gillan, a big part of our Finance Department. She graduated with a degree in Law and Business, and while studying developed a strong interest in the financial world.

Can you tell us a bit about your career journey and what led you to Aspen Solutions?
I graduated with a degree in Law and Business, and while studying I developed a strong interest in the financial side of organisations. After graduating, I decided to pursue a career in finance to build on that interest.
Before joining Aspen Solutions, I worked in the health and social care sector, which was a very different environment. While that role helped me develop transferable skills like organisation, responsibility, and attention to detail, I was keen to move into a role more aligned with my long-term career goals in finance.  The opportunity at Aspen Solutions stood out to me because it combined finance with the fast-paced IT and cyber security industry, and it felt like the right place to grow and challenge myself.

What does a typical day in your role look like, and what do you enjoy most about it?
A typical day for me involves a mix of tasks like processing invoices, reconciling accounts, and supporting with billing and contract-related work.  Recently, I’ve also been involved in the financial side of a large-scale hotel IT transformation project, which included working with billing and making sure contracts were reflected accurately in our processes.  I also work closely with the sales team to ensure financial processes run smoothly.  What I enjoy most is the variety and being able to get involved in different areas of the business. It’s also really rewarding to see how the work we do in finance supports bigger projects across the company.

What’s been your most memorable moment or achievement at Aspen Solutions so far?
One of my proudest achievements since joining Aspen has been contributing to the overall productivity of the finance team.  When I started, the function was managed by one person, so being able to come in, support, and help streamline processes has made a real difference.   Seeing how the team has grown and become more efficient and knowing I’ve played a part in that has been really rewarding.  I’ve also had the opportunity to be involved in some hands-on projects, particularly the large-scale hotel IT transformation mentioned earlier. From a finance point of view, supporting the billing and contract processes for something of that scale was a great experience and definitely pushed me to learn quickly.

What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in your role?
Attention to detail is really important, especially when you’re dealing with billing, reconciling accounts and contracts where accuracy matters.  Being organised and able to manage your time well also helps a lot, particularly when things get busy.  I’d also say being proactive and willing to learn is key.  Working in IT and cyber security means things can move quite quickly, so being able to adapt and pick things up as you go makes a big difference.

How would you describe the culture at Aspen Solutions, and what makes it a great place to work?
I’d describe the culture as really supportive and team focused.  Everyone is approachable, and there’s a genuine willingness to help each other out, which makes settling in and learning much easier when you haven’t worked in this industry before.  It’s also a great place to work because you get the chance to be involved in interesting projects, rather than just sticking to the same routine every day.

What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in your field?
I’d say don’t worry if your career path isn’t completely straightforward.  Moving from health and social care into finance was a big and scary change for me, but a lot of the skills I gained still apply.
Try to get as much hands-on experience as you can, be open to learning, and don’t be afraid to step into something new, even if it feels a bit outside your comfort zone at first.

When you’re not at work, how do you like to unwind and relax?
When I’m not at work, I like to stay active by going to the gym, which helps me switch off.  I also enjoy socialising with friends, whether that’s going out, trying new restaurants, or even the occasional spa day to properly relax and recharge.

Our thanks to Lucy for a great interview. Keep up-to-date on the latest team news, events and products by following our LinkedIn page or by subscribing to our newsletter by clicking here.