Carl McLennan – Head of Finance

My Head of Finance role is a business partner role providing the link between Finance & Planning and the Faculty or Pillar Board depending on the “client” of the day. It’s important to know what is happening in the business so that I can influence and input appropriately into the decision making process at both Faculty/Pillar Board and Directorate level.

Myself and my team provide and interpret management information, on the face of it preparing budgets and monitoring spend but this touches the surface of our input into the running of the Faculty and by extension SHU as I am sure my team will tell you.

Fun facts about Carl

Outside of work I like to travel, mainly towards the sun, which I highly recommend but sometimes to places like Sunderland in the cold to watch Wednesday, which is more of an acquired taste. I don’t have any scary travel stories like Dave but I was once caught up in an attempted coup in Fiji in 2000.

Brian Hylands – Senior Management Accountant

Within my role I provide operational support to the budget holders within the Non Research areas of the Faculty.

I also consolidate all Departmental reports into the Faculty position during reporting periods and for budgeting and forecasting.

Within Teaching areas I assist with the costings of new and existing provision to help aid decision making.

Fun facts about Brian

Outside of work I am a Darts fanatic, both playing and watching, and occasionally work as a referee for the Professional Darts Corporation.

I also enjoy cycling but this is usually when the sun is shining.

My mum is a former Countdown Champion and I once got the answer to a numbers game (whilst in the audience) which Carol Vorderman did not manage to do.

Many moons ago I was on Soccer AM as part of Sheffield Wednesday fans of the week and went for the odd drink with Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne and Neil “Razor” Ruddock afterwards.

Dave Szwejkowski – Management Accountant

I have responsibility for the two Research Institutes within ACES, C3RI (Cultural, Communication and Computing Research Institute) and MERI (Materials and Engineering Research Institute). This involves overseeing the finances (reporting, claims and invoicing) for all research projects in the faculty, from costing a bid or from award of a grant (depending on the funder) right through to completion of the project.

The finances of these projects (anything up to about 40 at any given time) along with consultancy and Postgraduate Research (PhD) students feed into the management accounting as part of the budgeting, forecasting and reporting that forms the bulk of the job.

Fun facts about Dave

I’ve flown over half a million miles (equal to going to the moon and back) to 60+ countries. This has involved being teargassed in Kenya, arrested in Chicago, war resuming in Kosovo and the government being overthrown in Egypt. So ask me my plans when you want to know where not to go on holiday…

I also run a small brewery (shameless plug) on a part time basis, and have sold around 100,000 pints of craft beer. Being a Finance Director doesn’t hurt on the CV either ;-). When I’m not brewing craft beer or travelling the world drinking craft beer, I go to as many metal gigs as I can (sadly good beer and good music rarely coincide), can’t beat a mosh pit!

Maia Hunnex – Assistant Management Accountant

I am responsible for all things Pay related within Faculty – including updating the pay forecast model for actual, budget and forecast data.

I also provide administrative support within the C3RI (Research Area).

Fun facts about Maia

I grew up in the US and moved here after university. After a few drinks I start to sound much more American.

I fill my spare time with travelling, sporting activities (climbing, cycling, running, surfing etc.) and growing as much fruit and vegetables as I can.

My ambitions in life are to move to the seaside, have an orchard and have as many cats as my partner allows!

Patrick Egan – Assistant Management Accountant

I am responsible for capital analysis, supporting Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), costing of projects, production of monthly reports, forecasting and budgeting.

Fun facts about Patrick

Outside of work I enjoy going to the cinema, travelling and have recently started karate to keep fit.

My claim to fame is that I scored a penalty against Neville Southall, former Everton & Wales goalkeeper.