Meet The Team

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Meet the SBM Financial Services Team

 

Sue Bremner-Milne - Managing Director

  • 19 years experience in school finance
  • Part-qualified accountant: qualified in IT; has undertaken a number of other courses, including law. Involved in the running of three private sector companies.
  • Sue joined the Schools Finance Team in 1991 as their very first Assistant Accountant, taking part in training schools in the use of finance systems as Local Management of Schools was introduced. A year later she became the Accountant for 58 schools in the south area, and then took on the new role of Training Officer, where she worked with Headteachers and Governors around the County.
  • Sue set up SBM Financial Services in 2002.

Sue says: "I am privileged to work with a great team and thoroughly enjoy what I do."

Sarah Lainchbury - Bursar

  • 17 years total experience in schools finance and management
  • 10 years experience as an Assistant Accountant at Oxfordshire County Council Schools Finance Team
  • Part of SAP project team from a very early stage, and has supported many schools who moved to SAP in the first few years

Sarah says: "I have been working for SBM Finance since April 2003 and really enjoy the varied nature of the job. I currently also work at Madley Brook & Springfield schools, where I have been using the SAP system since September 2003."

Sue Bailes - Bursar

  • 22 years experience in school administration and finance
  • Commenced work in a large primary school as a School Secretary in 1988.
  • In 1999  gained a Diploma in School Administration Procedures - a pilot course for school secretaries. Later joined Capita as a roving bursar.
  • Sue joined SBM Financial Services in 2004.

Sue says: " I thoroughly enjoy my role as a Schools Finance Advisor, working in schools in Oxfordshire. I am proficient in working in finance and pupil modules. The work is challenging as well as rewarding and no two days are the same. Variety is the spice of life and this job is certainly varied!"

Sharon Dillon -  Bursar

  • 16 years in education  - and even longer in finance
  • Part of Oxfordshire County Council's Schools Finance Team from 1998
  • Sharon joined SBM Financial Services in November 2004

Sharon says: "I have spent the best part of my working life in finance - starting at Southern Gas, then at Pergamon Press as a Finance Cashier, before joining the OCC in 1994. I joined  SBM Financial Services in November 2004.  I feel as if I have what seems like an age of relevant experience!"

Theresa Turner - Bursar

  • 28 years experience in education and finance
  • Joint honours degree in finance and accounting and business management
  • Worked in education at Oxfordshire County Council for approximately 17 years - 2 years within the Schools Finance Support Team.
  • Worked as a bursar in a middle school, followed by a further 5 years as a bursar at a secondary school
  • Theresa joined SBM Financial Services in May 2005.

Theresa says: "With SBM Finance I have continued training completing an FMSIS Assessors recognition course; this has enabled me to support a number of schools which have successfully achieved this assessed standard.

"I have also received SAP training to support schools in the initial rollout phases in preparation for SAP application for all Oxfordshire schools in April 2010."

Sue Bright - Bursar

  • 19 years experience in schools finance
  • Peripatetic bursar to several schools during and after transition to LMS (Local Management of Schools)
  • Trained school staff in LRM
  • Sue joined SBM Financial Services in 2009

Sue says: " In 2003 a full time position as Finance and Admin Manager became vacant, which I really enjoyed but I did miss the variety of travelling to different schools, and focusing on just financial responsibilities. I was delighted to join SBM Financial Services last year as a Schools Finance Advisor."

Cathy Higgins - Bursar

  • 18 years experience in education and finance
  • Entered education finance in 1992 following a 19-year career with Marks and Spencer which culminated in a role in Finance Management
  • Cathy joined SBM Financial Services in 2009

Cathy says: "My first role in education was as the Finance Manager of a brand new sixth form college in Oldham, Lancashire. This was a fantastic opportunity as I had to set up the finance function from scratch. 

...I absolutely love working in our primary schools." 

Kristy Bailey - Bursar

  • 20 years of finance experience, the last five of which have been in education
  • Chartered Management Accountant, AAT qualified
  • Experienced with budgeting, financial management, monitoring and reporting to Governors
  • Kristy joined SBM Finance in November 2010

Kristy says: "I enjoy the busy, demanding and fun environment in schools."

Linda Gibbons - Bursar

Linda says: "I began working with SBM in 2011 following my retirement after 12 years as a primary school secretary/administrator. I'm thrilled to be able to continue working in an environment which I love."

 

And our NEW team member:

Diane Ewart - Bursar