Head of Finance Jo Russell Achieves Master’s Degree

Kevin Draper & Jo Russell inside Metelec's distribution centre

Metelec’s Head of Finance Jo Russell has expanded her knowledge and expertise by successfully obtaining a master’s degree with distinction.

With the help of Metelec, Jo completed the Accounting and Finance qualification with the University of Northampton in nine months.

As she already held BSc and ACCA qualifications, Jo needed to complete a dissertation to obtain the master’s.

Jo took a 14,000-word deep dive look into Metelec’s legacy accounting system to determine whether it is performing how it should, considering the huge move in product mix towards added value components in kit form ready to be assembled by customers.

Jo said: “I am very grateful to Metelec for agreeing to invest in me by funding my master’s degree.

“I decided to do my dissertation on our current system at Metelec, looking at the way it costs for both distribution and manufacturing order fulfilment. Not wishing to spoil it for anyone wanting to read the 52 pages, but the conclusion was the system was costing well across both strands of the business.

“There were, however, other learning points which we can utilise across the business.

“I love studying and this master’s opens the door for me to complete a PHD in finance, which is my next goal.”

Jo is now also FCCA qualified, which is the highest achievement awarded to ACCA members.

Jo joined Metelec two years ago, bringing with her vast finance experience in similar roles within the automotive sector, manufacturing, property and funeral services.

She said: “I am enjoying my time with the company, and we are making significant progress in improving the systems, bringing in greater automation and creating more controls around the accounting function.”

Commenting on Jo’s success, Managing Director Kevin Draper recognised the huge commitment in studying and working in parallel, making it a trio in the Metelec team in achieving master’s by similar means.

He said: “It was a pleasure to support Jo and with significant benefit to the business using real time application of current academic thinking and processes. It’s amazing to see Jo has a thirst for more!”