Alison joined CIPFA in November 2006 as a technical manager after nearly sixteen years working as a practitioner in local government. She held a number of positions in local government finance ranging from graduate trainee to Chief Finance Officer. During her time in local government she worked on a wide variety of projects including local government reorganization, a transfer of elderly peoples’ homes and PFI schemes in Magistrates Courts and Education.

Alison biggest challenge, however, was joining Northampton Borough Council eventually taking on the Chief Finance Officer Role. During her time at Northampton she developed improved financial management and reporting processes, including the introduction of devolved budgeting and obtaining an unqualified audit opinion on the accounts, and gained considerable understanding of the demands placed on finance professionals in an organisation judged as poor under CPA.

Within CIPFA, Alison was previously a technical manager with responsibility for the development of the prudential code, capital finance and treasury management. She is now Assistant Director Local Government with responsibility for the development of local government financial management within CIPFA. Alison currently provides support to the Local Government Policy Panel.