Marie joined the Finance Office of Manchester College (as it was then known) in 1992, at a time when the College operated as a Permanent Private Hall (PPH) having previously managed a finance office independently for an Oxford building company. She is the College's longest-serving employee.
When Marie began her role, the College had approximately 60 students. She was therefore responsible for the day-to-day operation of the finance function, overseeing everything from weekly wages and monthly payroll to invoicing, student payments, donations, and all outgoing expenditure. At that time, all financial procedures were carried out manually. Payroll was processed using an old-fashioned system known as Kalamazoo, requiring the use of tax books to calculate deductions accurately. Accounts were maintained entirely by hand, with income and expenditure recorded in traditional ledger books.
Having quickly familiarised herself with existing processes, Marie recognised opportunities to modernise operations and improve efficiency. She arranged for Sage Accounts to be installed and, following just one day of training, undertook the considerable task of setting up the system. Although the transition required significant effort, the successful implementation greatly streamlined the College’s financial administration.
Approximately two years later, once confident that Sage Accounts fully met operational needs, Marie introduced Sage Payroll. Careful timing was essential, and the system was implemented at the start of a new tax year. After another day’s training, she enthusiastically configured the payroll system, setting up all employees and successfully moving the College into a more efficient and sustainable payroll process.
Marie became equally well known for her exceptional negotiating skills. She secured an excellent arrangement when the College received a generous donation designated for gym membership/fitness facilities for students and staff. The former Principal, Sir Ralph Waller, famously joked that if her negotiations continued, the gym might end up paying the College rather than the other way around! Her negotiating abilities were also instrumental in organising the annual Garden Party, where she arranged entertainment and marquee hire, achieving substantial financial savings. Each year she also organised the Staff Christmas Party, consistently negotiating outstanding value while ensuring memorable celebrations enjoyed by all.
As student numbers increased and the College expanded, the demands on the finance office grew considerably. Additional staff were recruited, and Marie assumed responsibility for expenditure management, monthly payroll, HMRC calculations and payments, alongside numerous ad-hoc financial duties that arose as the institution developed.
One of Marie’s most significant professional challenges came during the Covid-19 pandemic, which began only weeks before the start of a new tax year. Working closely with Sage, she successfully transitioned payroll systems online, enabling uninterrupted staff payments and providing employees with digital access to payslips. The implementation was complex but proved invaluable both during the pandemic and in the years that followed. At the same time, she supported the logistical and financial challenges associated with students remaining in or returning to college, amid rapidly changing national circumstances.
Marie has served the College through a remarkable period of transformation. She began her career when Manchester College was still a Permanent Private Hall and takes great pride in having been part of the institution’s historic transition in 1996, when it received its Royal Charter and became a full college of the University. She remains an integral part of the Harris Manchester community and its continued success.
