In the Spotlight…with Julie Belcher

In this series called ‘In the Spotlight’ we’ll be talking to our employees and asking them questions about everything from their current role to their most unusual job and what they’d take on a desert island. Today we spoke to Julie Belcher, our Financial Controller.

1. Before working at ISO Spaces, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

Working for a celebrity magazine in London was a lot of fun, as was being paid to bounce on a bouncy castle but that was really to just fund my travels.

2. How do you balance your career at ISO Spaces with your home life? 

Finding a balance can be tricky but ISO Spaces is really flexible, and my role doesn’t require set 9 – 5 hours.  I’m an early bird so I like to start before the kids wake up and finish early some days to collect them from school.   Home life / Balance is so important, and ISO Spaces promotes the need for that across the whole team.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m up early and I head straight for my home office to get an hour in before the kids wake up.  Getting them to school generally involves me repeating ‘put your shoes on’ at least 50 times.  Then it’s back to the sanctuary of my office and a day jam packed with figures, forecasts and anything numbers related. On Fridays, I put down the calculator and pick up the mic to run the weekly ISO Spaces quiz.

4. How has ISO Spaces helped you in your career development?

I’ve learnt so much about finance within the construction industry, from different types of contracting to managing large sums of money throughout projects. Forecasting, funding and basically spending the past four years expanding my love of numbers.   

5. What advice do you have for prospective ISO Spaces candidates?

a. Be your own driving force

b. Have a voice and share your ideas

c. Being a solid team player

d. Quiz knowledge an advantage but not essential

6. What are 3 words to describe ISO Spaces?

Forward-thinking. Focused. Fun. (I didn’t mean for those to all start with the same letter!)

7. How has ISO Spaces changed since you started working for them?

It’s a completely different business but it still has the same key values.

8. What has been your favourite project at ISO Spaces?

My personal favourite would have to be The Crib Shack, Driftwood Spars. I go there quite a lot and it’s such a lovely place, but the housing projects are amazing to see, not only the buildings but also what they deliver to a community and knowing that you were a small part of that.   

9. What have you gained from working at ISO Spaces?

I’ve gained so much and if I was to write it all down it would be a very long list, but I think the two things that stands out for me are:

·   Working for a company whose drive and ‘can do’ attitude is infectious

·   Being the ‘Winner of the ISO Spaces 2019 Bake Off Challenge’

10.  What are three lessons you’ve learned across your entire career?

·   Love what you do

·   Hard work and persistence is key

·   Never stop learning

11.  If you could do any other job for the one day, what would it be?

I’d be the next Mary Berry and work alongside Paul Hollywood on The Great British Bake Off.  (I’ve really thought that though)

12.  If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Time Travel or flying. Probably time travel, I don’t have a head for heights so flying could be an issue. 

13.  What was the name of the last book you read?

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

14.  If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring with you?  

My husband, kids and a lot of gin (in no particular order)

15.  Do you have a motto or personal mantra?

Trust your inner compass.