Emerging Leader Programme + Q&A with Gemma Ross
Our Emerging Leaders have just completed their first Focus Area on Developing Self and Others!
Developed by our Talent & Leadership Partners, Ashley Baxter and Marc Muir, the session focused on developing fundamental leadership skills, and explored how we drive personal effectiveness and lead high performing teams.
The session took place at Ross County Football Club, where Steven Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, and Malky Mackay, First Team Manager, embraced their purpose of being "more than just a football club". Steven and Malky set time aside to meet with our Emerging Leaders and shared their leadership journeys and key motivation insights.
Session Feedback
Session feedback from some of our Emerging Leaders;
"Ferg was excellent, very engaging and have a great insight into leadership. Module went really quick as it was interesting and engaging."
"Engaging delivery as always. Interesting session with Malky. Good engagement for each topic."
"Mark is very engaging and covers topics well. Safe space to ask questions. No silly questions."
"Interaction. All the activities make understanding the material easier."
"Great problem solving practical exercise with the whole group."
Q&A With Emerging Leader, Gemma Ross
Tell us about you… what’s your work history to date?
"I'm Gemma Ross and my career in accounts started at a small local accounts firm in Inverness. I had not long finished studying accounting and finance at UHI when I got the offer of a training contract. It was during my employment with the local firm that I studied and achieved my AAT qualifications (bookkeeping qualification). Upon an offer at another local but slightly larger and busier accountancy firm, I pursued a similar role of preparing year end accounts, preparing & filing VAT and CT returns etc. When an opportunity arose within GEG Capital, I jumped at the chance as I had always visioned myself within an accounts role in industry."
Who or what inspired you to peruse the career you have today?
"I had always really enjoyed mathematics at school and when I left school, I had no idea what I wanted to do… it wasn’t until I thought about areas of my life and school that I have excelled at and enjoyed… maths! My love of figures and numbers is what led me to begin studying accounts and finance and I have never looked back. I enjoyed maths from a young age but during 3rd and 4th year at secondary school, I had an excellent Maths teacher who was very encouraging."
Can you provide details of a professional accomplishment in the group that you are proud of?
"I’m proud of achieving my place on the leadership course. Along the way and on multiple occasions, I've had to remove myself from my comfort zone, but managed to achieve what I had set out to do. Which makes me proud."
What inspires you, and do you have any personal goals that you are hoping to achieve?
"My kids inspire me every day to be the best version of me that I can be! My goal out with the working environment would be to see myself run half a marathon - this would be a big challenge for me as I have not ran for a long time! I would also like to dedicate some more time to organising and running fundraisers for charity."
What motivates and energises you at work?
"My colleagues motivate me and energise me at work, I’m surrounded by such a great group of people, I actually look forward to coming in everyday!"
Which of our Core Values means the most to you and why?
"The core value Encourage Humility means the most to me because it recognises that both character and capability are equally important in creating successful teams. I feel like the accounts and tax team at Henderson Road are capable and we all work well together as a team, which is massively important in any work environment. I’d like to think they would all agree with me."
