James Wakley

Head of Finance

Tell us a bit about your work history.

I started life in Finance back in 1997, spent ten years earning my stripes and qualified through Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in 2007.

I’ve been in many roles along the journey from Purchase Ledger Clerk all the way up to Group Finance Director, the most important thing for me is trust and the autonomy to just get the job done which was one of the many things that appealed when saying yes to the Workspace AV opportunity.

What does your typical working day look like? 

Typical is not a word I would use to describe the WSAV offices, however, one common theme that’s almost guaranteed is laughter – if you haven’t got a good sense of humour, then WSAV is probably not the place for you!

What’s your favourite thing about your job? 

I love working in a fast-paced growth environment, which is exactly what we’ve got at WSAV.

Keeping control of the financials and maintaining control of cash, when going through rapid growth in a projects-based business, isn’t without its challenges… It’s easier in a smaller autonomous environment like WSAV, which suits me.

What do you think are the three biggest skills you bring to work? 

I’m calm under pressure, am naturally analytical and am not known to waste my words.

What are the key ingredients you think help create a happy workplace? 

Autonomy, respect, trust, banter and good coffee! Life is too short for instant junk; Thankfully, we have a very good coffee machine at WSAV.

Outside of work, where are you happiest?

I’m a very lucky man, I live with my wonderful wife Michelle, my teenagers Freddie & Tamsin, and our dog Buster; I love my morning walk with Michelle and Buster before work.

At weekends, you’ll find me trying to get back to a single digit handicap at Stoneham Golf Club and/or following the roller-coaster that is Southampton FC.

Name one interesting fact about you:

I love motorbikes; Despite “landing badly” from a near 100mph argument with a car in my early 20’s, meaning a ride in the back of an ambulance and several surgeries to repair my leg…

I’ve been lucky enough to own a few sports-bikes and been on a couple of track days, at my favourite UK circuit Donnington Park. There’s nothing like the freedom a motorbike gives you, and the adrenaline rush from being in control of a machine that will beat most supercars is something else. Who said accountants were boring?!?