Amy Taylor

BSc (Hons.) Mathematics with Finance, University of Keele / Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)

“Moving into the Education Sector was the best, most rewarding decision I ever made – every day is different and I go home feeling like I have made a difference to the lives of so many young people, even though I don’t stand in front of them in a classroom.”

I’m the eldest of four daughters, born and raised in Derbyshire. My dad is a builder and he always said that, for him, going to work each day was like getting up and doing his hobby with his advice for me being ‘do something you love, Amy’. I’m not ashamed to say that I always loved Maths! And so, having studied Maths to degree level I started a graduate scheme with BDO Stoy Hayward (later taken over by RSM) in September 2001 to study for my ACA qualification.

Having gained my ACA with first time passes, I continued to work for RSM moving into a senior management position and leading the audit team in the East Midlands as Audit Group Manager. One of the reasons I love Maths so much is the problem solving element and I find that this is also a key requirement in senior management.

After 14 years in accountancy practice, and with my own children now in full time education, I decided it was time for a change. I first visited The de Ferrers Academy in January 2016 and I knew immediately that it was the right place for me to work. It was on the cusp of change having recently been granted MAT status and with plans for three primary schools to join to form the original four school MAT in May 2016. I started my new role in April 2016. The first year was a whirlwind of academy conversions and building projects (with a multi-million pound Maths block being opened at The de Ferrers Academy in September 2016). I haven’t looked back since and I am certainly heeding my dad’s advice of ‘doing something I love’!