Meet the Team

DAVID HERD

David has a long running association with the Shared Services Forum UK being one of the founding members stemming back to 2001 and remains an active and dedicated Director, proud to be part of its heritage in how it has evolved over the years into what it is today as a thriving pedigree of shared service organisations all sharing a common collaborative passion for sharing and knowledge exchange 

David’s day job is Director of Business Shared Services at Amey Ltd leading a talented team providing multi-functional support services for internal Business Units and Group operations. Services cover Customer Services, Finance Transactional Services, People Services and Business Reporting & MI. The business having recently aligned with new shareholders, the role is accountable for shared service strategy & delivering effective synergies aligned with enabling and supporting a business growth agenda.  

David is a FCCA qualified Finance Professional, having held various Director of Shared Services/GBS positions built upon a bed rock of Change Leadership with over two decades of experience enabling effective & best practice front to back-office functions & ERP implementations. Offers a wealth of insight & value acquired across a career in operational leadership, expertise in optimised organisation design strategies, functionally and operational, with an ability to execute on the creation of effective shared service centre operations and performance improvement. 

Previous positions include GBS Delivery Director, Head of Shared Services, Head of BPO, Finance Director and Consultant 

Member of APA Top Influencers Index 2020, 2021 & 2023. 

LYNSEY OAKES

Lynsey is our dedicated Director of Operations who has been with the Forum since 2019.

Lynsey manages the day-to-day operations of the Forum, ensuring the smooth running of operational, administrative, and financial aspects. This includes developing our exclusive in-person and online events programme each year and creating new and exciting networking, learning and development opportunities and member benefits for our members.

Lynsey has a Certificate in Global Business Services from the Hackett Institute, and over 20 years of experience in event planning, marketing, project and social media management.

Her mission is to create a holistic and valuable experience for our members, by providing them with relevant and insightful content, networking opportunities, and best practice insights.

Lynsey is passionate about building and nurturing effective relationships with all our members and stakeholders to support the Forum ethos and the continued growth and evolution of SSF UK.

ALEXANDRA LOMAS

As the Member Engagement Manager for SSF UK Alexandra will be helping to support the continued development and growth of our SSF UK’s member community. Sharing member benefits and ensures engagement levels are maximised, for the benefit of all. The role owns operational delivery of activities to ensure the smooth running of networks and events, as well as operational administration aspects of the Forum underpinning member communication, engagement, and membership growth.

Alexandra will be the focal point for ongoing member relations throughout the year, building relationships with members to help them gain maximum benefit from their annual membership and helping to provide networking opportunities between member organisations. Alexandra will also support to create the continued holistic experience for our members, managing, planning, scheduling, and leading on the delivery of all SSF UK events.

NICHOLA GATES

Head of Payroll at Network Plus 

With a remarkable career spanning over 25 years in the field of payroll, Nichola Gates stands as an esteemed leader and innovator in payroll management. Currently serving as the Head of Payroll at Network Plus, Nichola is known for her exceptional ability to drive improvement and spearhead payroll transformation initiatives.

Nichola has been instrumental in leading her team through significant changes, consistently achieving operational excellence and enhancing the efficiency of payroll processes. Her strategic vision has supported the implementation of new systems, which has significantly increased accuracy within the payroll team.

Nichola's dedication to her craft is matched by her commitment to her team. She fosters an environment of collaboration and continuous improvement, empowering her team members to excel and embrace change. Her leadership style, characterised by transparency and effective communication, has earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders alike.

As a forward-thinking professional, Nichola remains at the forefront of industry trends, ensuring that Network Plus's payroll operations are always aligned with the latest advancements and best practices. Her passion for payroll transformation and her unwavering focus on driving positive outcomes make her an invaluable asset to the organisation.

CLAIRE MEADOWS

Director of HR Shared Services, Mitie

Claire is the Director of HR Shared Services at Mitie. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Claire leads the People Support team, which includes Employee Relations, HR Services, and Payroll for 62,000 colleagues. Throughout her career, she has held multiple roles across HR Shared Services and has been instrumental in driving change and transformation projects within the department.

Claire has played a key role in company-wide initiatives that have transformed ways of working and has been particularly influential in offshoring services over the past two years. One of her notable achievements includes leading the Onboarding transformation at Mitie, which was shortlisted for four awards in 2024. Claire is passionate about sharing ideas and best practices, and she is known for her innovative thinking and ability to think outside the box.

ANDY POWELL

Head of Source to Pay, Co-op Group

With over 20 years’ experience working in and around Shared Service, Retail Operations and Technology, Andy has a unique perspective on end to end operations and how to tie together business process performance to balance sheet results.

Now at Coop Group, he leads the Source to Pay Team and is Global Process Owner for Purchase to Pay. He’s been instrumental in embedding Coop’s new SAP solution for managing Food supply chain operations and invoice matching over the past year. His team serves all Coop’s diverse businesses including Food, Funeralcare, Legal Services and Insurance services.

Andy’s previously worked at M&S HR Shared Services, Capita and Logica (now CGI). He’s held several different positions during his career, in Technology Service Management, Automation Deployment, Operational Excellence, Proposition Development, Project Management, Retail Operating Model Deployment and Retail Commercial Transformation.

JOE SELLWOOD

Head of Source to Pay at Amey Group Shared Services

Joe has over 10 years of experience in Group Finance and Shared Services, with deep expertise in Accounts Payable. He played a key role in the significant relocation of the Accounts Payable function within Amey.

Currently, Joe leads the Accounts Payable function at Amey, overseeing a large team responsible for processing high volumes of transactions each month, including invoice processing, payments, statement reconciliations, and supplier communications.

Joe has extensive experience in process improvements and change management, collaborating with stakeholders across the business to build constructive, impactful relationships. He is also highly knowledgeable in government payment reporting and the deployment of E-Invoicing systems.

IZABELLA HOCKENHULL

Head of General Accounting at Ipsen

Izabella joined Ipsen in 2022, following a strategic decision to merge the UK, French, and North America Shared Service Centers into a single location in Wrexham. She successfully led her team through a significant period of transformation, which included changes in management, development of her department structure, a SAP 4 HANA pilot, integrations of corporate acquisitions, and the expansion of services’ scope.

With over 20 years of diverse experience, Izabella has excelled in various roles such as heading finance departments, business partnering, cost accounting, commercial and quality functions. After completing top education in Poland and gaining professional experience, she moved to the UK in 2011, where she had to restart her career – a challenge she embraced and overcame through hard work and determination. Her broad experience spans multiple functions in global businesses, providing her with cross-sector and cross-functional expertise. Her consistent top performance ratings and recognition with a Global CFO award highlight her dedication and success in each role.

Izabella’s journey is a testament to her authenticity and desire to learn, driving process efficiencies and implementing innovative solutions to build world-class finance functions, and ultimately enhance bottom-line results. She is passionate about creating an environment where great learning and sharing can thrive through the network of SSC professionals, inviting others to join her on this remarkable journey.

FATIHA BOUGRASSA

Assistant Controller, Nutrition and Health at SPX Flow

Across 14 years with SPX FLOW Fatiha has acquired a wealth of knowledge, taking on multiple roles, including SSC AP manager, SSC FA&R manager and Audit and SOX lead. Fatiha is currently the EMEA Nutrition and Health Assistant Controller for SPX Flow. Fatiha is highly experienced within blue-chip organisations and demonstrates proven skills in innovative organisational change programmes. Fatiha brings an established track record of embedding financial controls, processes & KPIs to drive efficiency. Fatiha’s strengths include leading BAU teams within challenging / change-centric environments, managing large and diverse financial project teams all whilst demonstrating the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Fatiha is an enthusiastic, assertive, innovative, and practical business Leader, with a range of transferable skills acquired during a career across Shared Services & Financial Controllership. Fatiha speaks French, Spanish and is a trustee for a local charity.

ZUZANA SIDDALL

Global Process Owner, Financial Accounting & Reporting

Zuzana has been working within SSC industry for the last 17 years. Zuzana’s area of expertise has predominantly been within FA&R. Prior to completing her CIMA professional qualifications and moving to FA&R, she also held roles within PtP and OtC.

Zuzana currently works for SPX Flow, global manufacturing company. Zuzana joined the company 9 years ago following a strategic decision to merge US SSC based in Charlotte, North Carolina to the EMEA SSC based in Manchester, UK. In her current role she is responsible for the FA&R function within the EMEA, APAC and US region.

Previously Zuzana worked in M&S Shared Services where she gained a lot of experience within the retail industry.

Throughout her career in SSC's she has been leading and supporting teams during times of change while delivering on business as usual commitments. Zuzana has been involved in multiple ERP implementations and system integrations, business acquisitions & divestments as well as driving global standardisation and continuous improvements initiatives.

Having worked in change-centric environments across various functional areas within different industries enabled her to understand the end to end process. Zuzana is very passionate about developing high performing teams and encourage cross functional team working to provide the best service experience to our customers.

KERSTIE BLATCHLY

Head of Order to Cash at Shared Services Connected Limited

Kerstie brings a wealth of experience and expertise after working in Order to Cash for the last 19 years. For the last two years, she has been Head of Order to Cash at Shared Service Connected Limited, responsible for the end to end Order to Cash process for 23 Government departments. She has worked to create a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, innovation and employee well being.

This strategic focus has resulted in improved morale, increased productivity and lower turn over rates.   Her current focus is the implementation of new technologies and innovative solutions to stream line existing processes, reducing costs and accelerating debt recovery.

PAUL QUINTI

Transactional Manager at Rhenus Logistics

With over 20 years’ experience in European Shared Services, Paul has led strategic initiatives, optimised processes, and fostered ensured continuous collaboration across various industries and diverse departments to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our order fulfilment and cash management functions. With a background in Transactional Finance and banking, my leadership focuses on driving seamless transactions, customer satisfaction, and financial excellence within the organisation.

Now at Rhenus, we are working together to improve the current processes through innovation, the use of technology and close working with the business and stakeholders to ensure the right outcomes. All this is

Aside from the new network chair for Order to Cash, Paul is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and vice-chair and active member on the Northwest branch of the CICM. He has also received the designation of Certified International Credit Professional from the Finance (CICP), Credit and International Business Association.

JOE MOYA

Innovation and Optimisation Director at Shared Services Connected Limited

Joe’s experience spans more than 30 years across core Digital disciplines including Infrastructure, Applications, programme management, supplier and account management. He has led Finance, HR and IT Outsourcing teams. Joe now works at the C-Suite as CIO / CEO advisory, aligning Digital with Business through effective business cases, driving operational excellence through pragmatic digital transformation roadmaps

Currently Joe is working within the SSCL Government Leadership team. Joe’s enjoyed some awards success during 2023, being nominated for six industry awards and successfully winning three for the Digital forms- project which has transformed customer engagement with SSCL. Joe’s focus for 2024 is on AI and Hyper-automation initiatives which will further accelerate operational excellence.

Nicole Green

Operational Lead of Corporate Tax at BDO LLP

Starting her career on a traditional accountancy route, Nicole built up technical industry experience alongside a passion for providing exceptional client service to a portfolio of small to medium sized businesses in the UK across various sectors. Within BDO, Nicole has been responsible for overseeing the operations of the BR Finance team responsible for providing national accounting and treasury services and is currently overseeing the multi-site Corporate Tax team based across Liverpool and Glasgow who provide national tax compliance services. Nicole’s operational roles in BDO have required her to drive operational excellence and transformation, orchestrate business optimisation and technological change projects, strategise internal processes, manage national stakeholder relationships and embed a challenging yet rewarding culture in which people can thrive.

Nicole is extremely passionate about providing high quality operational service delivery through an innovative and client centric mindset and emphasises the importance of Shared Service Centres remaining aligned with the strategy of their wider business to ensure SSC value is solidified throughout ongoing digital disruption and evolution in the industry. Nicole endeavours to undergo continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence, leveraging technology to increase efficiency, produce insightful data to allow for effective reporting and maximise commercial performance.

Outside of work Nicole loves to spend time outdoors walking or hiking on her weekends and spending time with family. She is a big animal lover and is taking part in an upcoming sponsored hike up Mount Snowdon with Animals Asia.

CARRIE RICHARDSON

Head of Reconciliations at Specsavers Optical Superstore Ltd

Carrie is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in finance shared services. She has been at the forefront of business transformation, driving change that adds significant value to organizations. Throughout her career, Carrie has worked across all areas of finance, including external & internal audit, financial analysis, reporting and commercial finance. This diverse experience across various industries enables her to understand and address key business challenges and opportunities effectively.

A CIMA-qualified accountant, Carrie recently transitioned from her role as Head of Operations: FSS to the newly established position of Head of Reconciliations at Specsavers. In this unique role, she is responsible for creating a global reconciliation policy and framework, leveraging technology to ensure financial integrity, manage risk, and enhance operational efficiency.

Outside of her professional life, Carrie is passionate about her family and travel, always seeking new adventures around the world. She enjoys the outdoors and often participates in walking and running challenges to raise money for charity.

Daniel Edwards

Head of Customer Centre Operations, Cadent Gas

Dan is a multi-award winning leader with +25 years’ experience in Customer Experience, +20 of those in the utilities industry. He is the Head of Customer Centre Operations at Cadent, and currently leads the National Gas Emergency Service team on behalf of the UK. Dan brings a wealth of leadership, incident management, change management and continuous improvement experience. Passionate about ED&I, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to grow and succeed.

Cathie Fillingham

Head of Customer Service at Amey Group Shared Services

With a wealth of experience in driving exceptional customer experiences, Cathie is proud to serve as the Head of Customer Experience. Passionate about strategic vision and operational excellence, she is dedicated to enhancing customer satisfaction and fostering lasting relationships.

In her current role, Cathie is entrusted with developing and communicating the overarching customer experience strategy across our organisation. Cathie leads a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement, ensuring that our services consistently exceed expectations and align with regulatory standards.

Drawing on her background in contact centre operations management and change leadership, Cathie is committed to driving innovation and embracing emerging technologies to optimise the customer journey. Cathie thrives on collaborating with stakeholders and industry partners to stay ahead of market trends and deliver best-in-class solutions.

As a resilient and forward-thinking leader, Cathie prioritise people development and empowerment, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence within her team. Cathie is driven by a customer-centric mindset and a passion for delivering tangible results that drive business growth and enhance brand reputation.