Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Claire Hughes

Edinburgh

Summary

A proactive, trusted, visible and approachable leader with a proven track record of influencing and driving systemic cultural change at the highest levels of government. An engaging and compelling communicator, recognised for building strong relationships and placing people at the heart of delivery. Known for bringing calm, clarity and focus in high-pressure environments while maintaining a relentless commitment to delivering results. Passionate about leading change, empowering teams and inspiring others to make a meaningful difference. A strong advocate of a growth mindset, continually encouraging innovation, learning and continuous improvement.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Corporate Reporting

Scottish Government
01.2021 - Current
  • Completely overhauled how we reports on SG’s £60 billion budget over the last 5 years in post, bringing insights and data into heart of decision making, changing the conversations at the most senior levels of government and driving process cultural change to over 400 stakeholders.
  • Proactively played a central leadership role to the successful implementation of Enterprise Performance Management (EPM), one of the most significant changes to Scottish Government financial systems since 2001, ensuring Finance requirements remained central to programme design and delivery.
  • Pivotal role in business engagement, stakeholder management, training and adoption activity for EPM, influencing and gaining insights from a wide stakeholder base (over 400) across Finance, Corporate Operations and business areas and helping drive one of the largest financial transformation programmes and cultural change within the organisation. User feedback was excellents with my team being recognised as key reason individuals felt supported.
  • Balanced pressures of system implementation with BAU, taking a risk based approach to delivery, identifying ring fenced resource to support demands, and implementing manageable plans.
  • Worked collaboratively with EPM Programme team, Director, and business areas influencing the Programme to ensure most optimal outcomes were delivered for SG.
  • Experienced communicator and influencer including at the most senior levels of government including Permanent Secretary and Minsters.
  • Extensive experience of speaking at Permanent Secretary Path to Balance Meeting, ET, DG Assurance meetings, communicating impact and landing key messages to influence strategy and drive change.
  • Trusted adviser supporting Ministers before the Finance and Public Audit Committee, and during the delivery of Budget Revisions, Provisional Outturn and Final Outturn. Minster feedback has always been excellent.
  • DG who has worked with me over my entire career at SG reported that I was one of the most ‘trusted, accomplished, finance professionals’ that she has worked with over her career at SG.
  • Regularly required to communicate to 100+ individuals including presenting training at the Scottish Government Finance conferences and matters impact the team’s key deliverables e.g. key process changes.
  • Lead on the key delivery of some of the most high profile Finance deliverables including Budget Revisions, Final Outturn and Provisional Outturn.
  • Lead key corporate finance exercises including Budget Revisions, budget monitoring, forecasting, Provisional Outturn and Final Outturn, consistently delivering high-quality outputs despite significant fiscal pressures and system transformation activity.
  • Continually trying to change and adapt, engaging business users on how we get faster reporting.
  • Have a proven track record of delivering at pace, balancing pressures of system implementation with these key deliverables, identifying ring fenced resource to support demands, and implement manageable actionable, assessing risks and re-prioritising plans when required to protect deliverables and staff well-being.
  • Empower teams to lead on work whilst providing support when needed.
  • Serve as one of the principal HM Treasury engagement lead on complex funding discussions, budget management issues and strategic funding negotiations.
  • Pivotal role in the Scottish Government engagement on the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) funding framework, helping drive significant progress on issues that had remained unresolved for several years. CEO of SNIB reported to DFM that this is the most progress he has seen on this topic sighting myself as a critical part of that progress.
  • Seen as a trusted advisor, regularly brought in support key discussions providing challenge and support intermittently helping to build relationships.
  • Provide expert advice on the operation of the Scottish Government's funding model, fiscal framework, feeding to key pieces of advice for high profile government meetings including FISCS.
  • Lead a high-performing team of 10 staff, creating an inclusive and supportive culture focused on continuous improvement, innovation and delivery.
  • Built a highly engaged and resilient team, with key direct reports remaining within the function for up to five years whilst continuing to broaden their experience and develop professionally.
  • Team regular seen as centre of excellence with key SMEs that are respected and praised throughout the organization – raised heir prifile.
  • Increased employee engagement scores significantly since joining in 2021, with performance consistently above both Scottish Government and wider Civil Service benchmarks.
  • Recognised for outstanding leadership, relationship-building and people development through an Exceptional performance rating in my most recent performance review. Believer in growth mindset and encourage time to continually reflect and improve.
  • Develop finance professionals and future leaders through coaching, mentoring and providing a range of development opportunities, with several colleagues progressing into more senior roles.
  • Role model self development via continuous self development including participation with the Futures Leaders Scheme (including utilizing the opportunity for 1 to 1 coaching), attendance at GFF conferences, peer to peer support and gaining a mentor.
  • Team members regularly share knowledge and skills via presenting at the Scottish Government’s finance conference, leading on funding, budget monitoring and budget scoring training.
  • Create an inclusive environment that’s inclusive and supportive, where well being is prioritized and people’s strengths are celebrated.

Head of Finance, Social Security, Advice Policy and Programme (Temporary Promotion C2)

Scottish Government
06.2020 - 02.2021
  • Lead a team of circa 13, managed a demand led budget of approximately £100 million with multiple risks and pressure in a highly fast paced project environemnt.
  • Transformed forecasting methodology and insights.
  • Led a programme-wide savings exercise delivering approximately £40 million of savings.
  • Required influencing at the most senior levels e.g. DG/Director, to ensure finances remained sustainable and path to balance was maintained. Required excellent influencing and relationship management skills give pressures of delivering a Social Security system for Scotland whilst maintaining with our budgetary envelope.

Finance Business Partner (C1)

Scottish Government
06.2019 - 06.2020
  • Acted as strategic Finance Business Partner to senior leaders, influencing operational and policy decisions, resource allocation and financial planning across a complex delivery portfolio.

Senior Internal Auditor

Standard Life
02.2014 - 06.2019
  • Conducted complex internal audit reviews across procurement, HR and financial processes.
  • Built a reputation for providing objective challenge and evidence-based recommendations to senior management, strengthening governance, financial controls and organisational performance.

Auditor and Senior Internal Auditor

Scott Moncrieff
01.2011 - 02.2014
  • Worked predominantly on public sector audits and advisory assignments.
  • Promoted to Senior Internal Auditor.

Risk Consultant

Deloitte UK
08.2009 - 12.2010
  • Delivered business process, technology risk and data assurance reviews across public and private sector organisations, developing strong commercial awareness and expertise in value-for-money, governance and risk management.

Financial Analyst

Barrie & Hibbert
01.2008 - 08.2009
  • Analysed and calibrated financial models on credit risk, equities, exchange rates and portfolio risk.

Education

ICAS -

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
01-2013

MSc - Operational Research

University of Strathclyde
01-2007

BSc - Mathematics

University of Glasgow
01-2006

Advanced Highers - 2 A Grades

Highers - 6 A Grades

Accomplishments

  • Transformed Scottish Government's corporate reporting for circa £60bn of public expenditure, engaging over 400 stakeholders, driving complex cultural and process shifts and embedding data-driven decision making at the heart of executive and ministerial discussions.
  • Led strategic engagement with HM Treasury on complex fiscal matters, including the Scottish National Investment Bank funding model. Recognised by the SNIB CEO and Deputy First Minister for playing a pivotal role in delivering the most significant progress on the issue in five years.
  • Built and led a high-performing team of 10, with Employee Engagement scores consistently exceeding Scottish Government and wider Civil Service benchmarks since I joined the team in 2021. Very low turnover, direct reports have remained in post for the last 5 years.
  • Trusted adviser to senior leaders and ministers, regularly presenting complex financial and strategic issues to the Permanent Secretary, Executive Team, Director Generals and Parliamentary Committees.
  • Built influential relationships across Scottish Government, HM Treasury, UK Government departments and wider public sector partners to deliver shared outcomes.
  • Recipient of the CIPFA Team of the Year Award.
  • Achieved an Exceptional Performance rating in the most recent performance review.
  • Recognised by a Director General as one of the most trusted and accomplished finance professionals they have worked with during their Scottish Government career.
  • Successfully held a range of senior finance leadership roles, including Head of Corporate Reporting, Head of Finance and Finance Business Partner, providing broad experience across strategic finance, corporate reporting and organisational leadership.

Timeline

Head of Corporate Reporting

Scottish Government
01.2021 - Current

Head of Finance, Social Security, Advice Policy and Programme (Temporary Promotion C2)

Scottish Government
06.2020 - 02.2021

Finance Business Partner (C1)

Scottish Government
06.2019 - 06.2020

Senior Internal Auditor

Standard Life
02.2014 - 06.2019

Auditor and Senior Internal Auditor

Scott Moncrieff
01.2011 - 02.2014

Risk Consultant

Deloitte UK
08.2009 - 12.2010

Financial Analyst

Barrie & Hibbert
01.2008 - 08.2009

ICAS -

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

MSc - Operational Research

University of Strathclyde

BSc - Mathematics

University of Glasgow

Advanced Highers - 2 A Grades

Highers - 6 A Grades

Claire Hughes