Sophie Sherwood

Experience

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  Clifton Parish Council

  Apr 2011 - Aug 2013

  Clerk & RFO

  Optimised financial systems and processes to align with statutory reporting requirements.Delivered accurate budgets and forecasting leading to an increase in deliverable Community Projects through successful matching funding bids and utilisation of S106 funding.Demonstrated a customer focused approach, continually achieving goals and increasing public participation.Facilitated and scheduled all meetings of Clifton Parish Council and its Committees, including referencing legal powers when making decisions and taking accurate minutes.Fundamental in coordinating community projects, renovation of the community play area and community centre as well as maintaining Parish Council owned assets.Represented the Parish Council to members of the community and handled all communication on behalf of the Parish Council.Responsible for the preparation of Annual Accounts, PAYE and Regulatory reporting.I had the honour of organising the annual Remembrance day parade along side other Parish Council members and also formed part or the committee organising local village events. Show less

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  North Hertfordshire Homes

  Apr 2013 - Jun 2017

  Responsible for comprehensive diary management to the Executive Director of Finance and the Director of New Business.Scheduled meetings with external suppliers, banks, legal advisors and stakeholders, ensuring the best use of the very limited time of senior Directors and Managers.Delivered accurate records of expenses for senior executives and managers as well as Board Members, including reconciliation of company credit card transactions.Created professional and detailed correspondence, reports and presentations with Microsoft Office suite.Drafted meeting Agendas, supplied advance materials and executed follow up meetings and actions as required.Maintained professionalism and strict confidentiality handling all materials and logistics.Facilitated meetings and provided secretarial support including accurate minute taking and records of all decisions and actions.Responsible for all use of the Company Seal on legal and financial documents. This included adhering to the Financial Regulations and Delegated Authorities of the organisation ensuring the signatories had the legal power to sign documents.Liaised with internal and external auditors for companywide audits and preparation of the Annual Accounts.Developed effective and logical filing systems for all documents, electronic and paper. Show less Ensured Board and Committee effectiveness and compliance with Regulatory requirements.Led on the implementation of Board Pad software to digitise meeting information to the Board which successfully reduced printing costs and staff time.Provided full secretarial support to the Board of North Hertfordshire Homes and the subsidiary Board – Rowan Homes.Assisted non-executive Heads of Service with project objectives and management of ad hoc projects.Responsible for scheduling, planning and inviting Members to all meetings and developing and rolling 18-month meeting schedule, in line with business requirements and statutory deadlines.Took accurate minutes at Board and Committee meetings, including supplying papers and administrating Board Pad.Responsible for the collation of company Policies and Procedures including updating the Register and companywebsite. Show less

  • EA to Directors

    Aug 2014 - Jun 2017

  • Governance Officer

    Apr 2013 - Aug 2014
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  ALTIUS GOC (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

  Jul 2017 - Mar 2018

  Personal Assistant

  Supported the CEO and other Senior directors by providing diary management and acting as primary contact for all internal and external communications.Managed executive diary to best leverage time and achieve optimum efficiency.Produced all correspondence on behalf of the CEO and other Directors, including the Business Plan and other key documents made available to key stakeholders.Prepared correspondence such as reports, briefing papers, letters and emails.Conducted comprehensive research to prepare executive briefing notes ahead of client meetings.Liaised with Estate Agents and buyers when completing customer choices and paperwork for new homes, including the production and distribution of the customer friendly Technical Specifications and Customer Options literature for all new developments.Ensured all supplier and subcontractor orders were in compliance with Tender Conditions, Technical Specifications and raised subsequent Purchase Orders.Supported finance team to complete bookkeeping, including bank reconciliations. Show less

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  Central Bedfordshire Council

  Apr 2018 - Jun 2022

  Committee Services Officer
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  Henlow Parish Council

  Dec 2018 - Nov 2020

  Clerk and RFO to Parish Council

  Implemented cloud based accounting system to allow instant review by all Councillors, establishing ownership of budgeting throughout the Council.Identified and delivered integral funding for Community projects resulting in the continued improvement of facilities.Engaged with a range of upper tier Council departments to align goals and meet the Parish Councils objectives.Directed and supervised staff, coordinating performance management reviews and pay reviews.Reviewed and managed operational budget totalling £169,000 including resource allocation, forecasting and benchmarking, reporting results to the Council to satisfy Statutory Legislation and best practice.Delivered a faultless internal and external Audit result for 2019/20.Completed delivery of new website and published documents to comply with new accessibility requirements.Represented Henlow Parish Council to all residents and outside bodies by being the first point of contact and collating responses from Council Members.Responsible for all Agendas, website, and meetings of Henlow Parish Council and its Committees.Responsible for all HR and HMRC payroll duties.Ensured all statutory Health and Safety requirements were met over two sites and multiple community areas.Enhanced company culture by reviewing and revising Standing Orders to ensure adherence to them from all staff and Members. Show less

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  BSI

  Jun 2022 - now

  Standards Development Manager