"Planning Your Career Journey": Insights from Group Finance Director
On Thursday 14th May, J. & J. Denholm Group Finance Director, Simon Preston, was guest speaker at the latest “Planning Your Career Journey” event, a series of exclusive online seminars hosted by specialist finance recruitment company Rutherford Cross.
Reflecting on his career to date, Simon explained to participants why he believes they should seriously consider all career opportunities that come their way - including the ones that are unexpected or even unconventional - and how they fit into the bigger picture of an individual’s overall professional development. Simon also shared his views on the importance of working for a company like J. & J. Denholm, where there are opportunities for employees to challenge themselves and develop professionally with the support and encouragement of managers.
A flourishing career
Simon studied accounting and finance at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and joined J. & J. Denholm in 2005 as an internal auditor. His appetite for understanding the commercial context around financial reporting was recognised early on by the Denholm Group and a number of career opportunities followed. In 2017, Simon became Group Finance Director and was appointed to the J. & J. Denholm Board.
The value of feedback
Speaking about his career progression, Simon noted, “The key to professional development is often having an honest understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. Annual performance reviews are vital to ensure that you get the most out of your career. Listen to your manager’s feedback as this will help guide your efforts to ensure that you build on your strengths and develop your skills where necessary. I have been very lucky in my career at Denholm in that I have worked for some fantastic people, and they have helped steer my career in the right direction.”
The benefits of an employer like J. & J. Denholm
Simon reflects, “While it’s important to take responsibility for your own career progression, it’s also important to choose an employer that supports that progression. It’s one of the benefits of working at Denholm; there are always opportunities to challenge yourself and develop professionally with the support and encouragement of managers.”
“Planning Your Career Journey” is an exclusive series of online events hosted by specialist finance recruitment company Rutherford Cross. The seminars feature highly successful guest speakers in senior finance positions, who share their insights into their differing journeys and their thoughts on how finance professionals can progress their career and achieve their ambitions. Find out more here.