- women on top

I have just finished reading my November 2008 issue of ‘accountancy’ journal. It becomes quite obvious to me that there is a conspicuous shift of gender into the world of accountancy and finance. Increasingly women are occupying the very top echelon of the finance profession. I remember when I first embarked on my accountancy studies, female students made up perhaps not more than 30% of the total accounting student population. Today, girls are pursuing a professional qualification in accounting/finance in droves. And indications are that this trend will continue.

The November ’08 ‘accountancy’ journal runs a story on one such female finance professional. Her name is Stacey Cartwright, chief financial officer of global luxury brand Burberry. With her finance director father as a role model, she set her first very deliberate foot on the career ladder when she chose to study accounting and economics at the London School of Economics. Far from being hindered by the fact she was a woman, Cartwright believes that her gender has worked in her favour. “I think it makes you stand out from all the grey suits,’ she says.

Following is her brief CV:

• When born : 1963
• Where : West Midlands
• Qualifications : BSc (economics and accounting), LSE; ACA (ICAEW)
• Work : Various financial roles for Granada Group plc, chief financial officer,
• Egg plc, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Burberry plc.
• Life : Travel, eating out, cycling, tennis
• Most played artist on her iPod : Santana