Leaders in finance and accounting should prioritize proactive advisory and mentorship to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. By fostering long-term relationships, they can gain a profound understanding of client's unique challenges, enabling the delivery of customized, strategic solutions. Mentorship plays a critical role in cultivating talent within teams, ensuring that future leaders are equipped for success. This forward-thinking approach builds trust, promotes innovation, and strengthens resilience, cornerstones of lasting success. A leader who exemplifies this philosophy is Hannah Clegg.

Hannah Clegg, a Partner at Sayers Butterworth, is a highly respected leader in the world of finance and accounting. With a career that spans over two decades, she has developed a reputation for deliver­ing excellence in auditing, client advisory, and busi­ness strategy. Her expertise lies in working with a diverse range of clients, from large corporations to small businesses, tailoring her approach to meet their unique needs. This ability to provide personal­ized, high-quality service has been a cornerstone of her success.

Below is an excerpt of Hannah Clegg’s exclusive interaction with The Global Women Leader maga­zine.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What were some key early influences in life that shaped you as an individual?

Growing up, my parents played a pivotal role in shap­ing who I am today. They emphasized the value of hard work, education, and continuous self-improve­ment from an early age. Their constant support al­lowed me to pursue my dreams with confidence. These early lessons instilled a strong sense of disci­pline, ambition, and the drive to always aim higher in life.

Tell us about your educational journey. What role did your Alma Mater, Imperial College, London play in shaping your growth as an individual and as a professional?

My education at Imperial College, London, was trans­formative. Studying biochemistry provided me with a rigorous foundation, but it was the college's em­phasis on independent and analytical thinking that truly shaped my professional path. While transition­ing to a career in finance may seem unconventional, the skills I honed at Imperial, such as analyzing data and assessing its strengths and weaknesses, are in­

valuable in my current role as a Chartered Accountant. Moreover, Imperial’s focus on public speaking prepared me to communicate effectively, whether pitching scien­tific ideas or presenting financial insights to prospective clients. This combination of scientific rigor and com­munication skills has been instrumental in my success, enabling me to approach challenges creatively and con­fidently in the fast-paced world of business. I am deeply grateful for these foundational experiences that have shaped my professional life.

"Empowering Others & Fostering Genuine Relationships are the Cornerstones of Effective Leadership, Driving Both Personal Growth & Collective Success"

Introduce us to Sayers Butterworth. Tell us about the various roles and responsibilities you shoulder as a Partner at the company.

Sayers Butterworth is a dynamic six-partner firm locat­ed in the heart of London, specializing in diverse busi­nesses across various sectors. We pride ourselves on of­fering a holistic approach to our clients' needs, tailoring our services to ensure they receive comprehensive sup­port. Unlike firms that focus solely on audits or taxes, we assess each client's unique circumstances, provid­ing proactive guidance on potential challenges, includ­ing navigating their business environment, accounting update, and legislative changes.

As a Partner, my responsibilities include ensuring client satisfaction and maintaining the highest quality of work. I also prioritize mentoring the next generation of auditors, helping them realize their potential and equipping them with the skills needed for success in our industry.

Throw some light on the major challenges you encounter in your current role. How do you overcome the said roadblocks?

One of the significant challenges I face in my role is staff recruitment and retention, as our people are the heart of our business and keeping them engaged ensures ex­cellent client service. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated staff development across the accountancy sector. However, at Sayers Butterworth, we've commit­ted to high-quality training, enabling us to seize emerg­ing opportunities. Despite the industry's high staff turn­over, our strong retention rates reflect our supportive culture. As the only current female partner, I strive to represent women at senior levels, inspiring them to pur­sue their ambitions and demonstrating that success in this field is attainable.

In your opinion what have been the biggest ‘wins’ that you have achieved so far in your professional journey?

One of my greatest professional wins has been achiev­ing my promotion to Partner, a long-held dream that finally came to fruition. Winning new clients is also a thrilling aspect of our business, there's nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of receiving that call or email confirming our appointment. Over the years, I’ve often entered tenders as the underdog, only to emerge victo­rious, with clients appreciating my deep understanding of their businesses. However, the most rewarding rela­tionships are with smaller clients who rely on me as their trusted advisor. Helping them navigate their finan­cial affairs brings immense satisfaction and fulfillment.

What has been your ‘success mantra’ as a leader?

My success mantra as a leader is to question every­thing. This principle of professional skepticism is vital in auditing, driving us to rigorously evaluate our work. Additionally, I believe in self-reflection, holding a mirror up to our practices and challenging ourselves to identi­fy areas for improvement. This commitment to continu­ous enhancement fosters growth both individually and as a firm.

Hannah Clegg, Partner, Sayers Butterworth

Hannah Clegg, Partner at Sayers Butterworth, began her career with a top 40 accountancy firm, gaining a solid foundation in the industry. Her jour­ney continued at a top 20 firm, enhancing her technical skills. Passionate about client understanding and team development, she now focuses on audit compliance and nurturing the next generation of accountants.