Next up in our ‘meet the team’ series, we’re bringing you along to our interview with CFO, Sally Rose.
At Cybanetix, we believe the people behind the company are just as important as the services and solutions we offer. These phenomenal people are the driving force, continuing to demand excellence and always looking to see how we can improve.
Sally is an incredibly inspiring individual, currently gearing up to run her 7th marathon (yes, you heard that right!) in October. We sat down to catch up with her and find out what she thought about her journey so far.
🤝 What first got you interested in the industry?
I have spent a lot of my career working as a finance director in big corporate organisations, some of which were IT services businesses. Outsourcing is very big in this space, so I already had a fairly broad background in it, and I’d worked with Martin Jakobsen, our Managing Director, previously. I was excited to join Cybanetix at a relatively early stage, work in an organisation very different from the large corporates that I was used to, and come into an evolving, growing industry. As we have seen, this industry is changing quickly as we see more and more businesses impacted by cyber-attacks and evolving security threats. It’s exciting and fascinating to see the impact cybersecurity has and will continue to have on people’s everyday lives.
🧑💻 Can you tell me about your journey leading to Cybanetix? Why this company?
I had worked with Martin previously, and when the opportunity came up, I initially didn’t think I was the right person, given my big company background. However, I was at a point in my life where actually a change was needed, and working with Martin and the team in an organisation where I could bring all of my experience to the table and make an impact quickly and with agility was an opportunity I really wanted to embrace. I especially liked the appeal of entering the company at an earlier stage, being able to make a strong impression and really help shape the business, ensuring we are in a good place for our growth journey. It’s good to take yourself out of your comfort zone as well and try something different from what has become your status quo.
💫 What are the important factors to be aware of when working in finance?
I’d say be a good listener, teamwork, engagement, be approachable, and ultimately keep it simple. People can get very scared of numbers; it can be very easy to confuse people with accounting terms they don’t need to know. Keep it simple and show them what they actually need to know. It’s good to know how to translate the numbers into what a person actually needs, ultimately ensuring we make the right decisions for the business and our people.
🔑 How do you foster collaboration between your department and others at Cybanetix?
Always keep the door open and talk to people. This all comes as part of being approachable and honest. If you tell people what you’re doing, why it matters, and how they can help, they will also be approachable. I always say, ‘there’s no such thing as a stupid question’.
👏Can you share one of your favourite or most rewarding success stories?
I love seeing my team develop; it’s incredibly rewarding to see how my team grows, learn, and becomes more confident. It’s all about making them feel empowered to get on with their work and have the confidence to lead. At the end of the day, we spend a lot of time at work and with our colleagues, you have to be your true self and authentic. If people see that and see you as human, then they will trust you more. It’s about always having space for people to make real connections.
🌎Where do you think Cybanetix is headed in the future, and what are you most excited about?
I’m excited to see our continued growth, continuing to do a great job for our customers, and not losing sight of who we are and what we’re trying to do. Our objective is to deliver great service and be the security services provider of choice, and that’s a journey I’m excited to be a part of.
👩🏫What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who are looking to follow a similar career path?
Do something you enjoy that gives you a buzz; if you’re working in an industry you have no passion for, then you’re in the wrong place. Always have a genuine curiosity and be interested in what you do; you should want to develop yourself and continue to push forward every day. I very much have an ‘every day is a school day’ attitude, and it makes me excited to come to work. I get to do something different every day, bringing my previous experience to solve today’s problem.
🌈What are you most proud of?
Apart from what we are achieving at Cybanetix?! My kids! Family is really important to me; it’s key to get the balance right between working, raising a family, spending time with your partner, and finding time for yourself, and we don’t always get it right. But, bringing together what I learn across all these aspects of my life gives me a better perspective whether it be guiding my kids through the new work experiences they are having, either as Mum or as an employer or vice versa, when we are making team decisions at work and considering what my kids would think of the decisions we are making.
I also enjoy running; I really value the time to process, and often my kids come with me. It’s important to find your thing that gets you up and away from the desk, and running is mine. I’ve got my 7th marathon in October and I’m aiming to run Berlin and Chicago next year!
Sally Rose – Finance Director
This interview was conducted and written by Megan Maunder – Marketing Executive