From Spreadsheets to Sight, Alex’s Finance Journey at CHEC

Alex didn’t follow the traditional university route into finance. For him, a knack for numbers at school naturally pointed towards a career in the field – even if he initially found the idea a tad “boring”. However, his path took an interesting turn, leading him from auditing the books to playing a key role at CHEC as FP&A Manager Finance.

Straight out of college, Alex landed an apprenticeship with one of the “big four” accountancy firms, PwC, in Manchester. He spent four years immersed in his exams, eventually qualifying as an accountant. But the world of audit wasn’t quite the stimulating environment he’d hoped for. Alex reflects. “It wasn’t the most enjoyable role, so I took the opportunity to leave the day after my contract finished.”

His next move was a change of pace and scenery: 15 months at Liverpool Football Club. Working in a similar role to his current one, albeit more junior, this stint coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. “I probably didn’t get the full experience of working at a football club because of the pandemic and the fact there were no fans in stadiums,” he recalls. As a fixed-term contract, Alex knew it was a valuable experience .

During his time in audit, Alex had identified a potential “escape route”: Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). This area, still within the advisory world, offered a more commercial focus and the chance to truly understand businesses, rather than just scrutinising their accounts. However, the pandemic put a temporary halt to this ambition. “M&A is dependent on companies buying another,” Alex explains. “So during COVID time, there weren’t many jobs.” The Liverpool role proved to be perfect timing, a “stopgap” until the M&A market picked up.

Following his time at the football club, more opportunities arose in his desired field. Alex secured a role at Dow Schofield Watts, near Warrington, where he spent three years in financial due diligence. This involved “looking at smaller businesses and getting a deep dive into how they work and how they’re driven.” Learning a lot in this role, he enjoyed working with the team at DSW, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the companies he was looking at, but found the project-driven nature of the work demanding. “Whilst you’d really get to know and understand a Business, once the project was finished you’d have to start over and build up your knowledge of the next one”

Seeking a role with “continual knowledge build,” Alex set his sights on an industry position. This led him to CHEC. “CHEC offered exactly what I wanted in an industry role, this worked out really well,” he says. A local recruiter presented him with the opportunity, and it ticked all the boxes.

Initially, Alex admits his knowledge of ophthalmology was limited. “I probably couldn’t have told you what ophthalmology was before joining,” he jokes. However, the role itself and the people he’s working with have provided a steep learning curve. He particularly values the experience of his direct boss, Mark, whom he sits next to daily. “He has 20 odd years of experience in his role,” Alex explains. “It’s an amazing opportunity to work with a team with so much experience that I am able to learn off.”

One of the aspects Alex appreciates most about his role at CHEC is the collaborative environment. “In industry, everyone’s working to the same goal – and that is to improve the business essentially,” he notes. This contrasts with the sometimes less friendly dynamic of due diligence, where you’re scrutinising a business that isn’t your client.

Alex also noted that the onboarding process at CHEC was surprisingly thorough and well-structured, a significant step up from his previous experience. He’s also focused on continuous development, particularly in understanding the intricacies of the healthcare industry and the specific terminology involved. While future implementation plans are still evolving, he recognises the incremental improvements being made within the finance function.

Reflecting on his journey, Alex’s path into finance wasn’t conventional, but it’s led him to a role he finds engaging and collaborative. From the world of football to the complexities of healthcare, his story highlights how diverse experiences can shape a successful and fulfilling career.