My Life in Numbers
Fiona Adam CA
Statutory Reporting Manager, Lloyd’s of London
Fiona Adam CA turned her back on a career in pharma to become a CA when she was 30, and is now living the high life in the famous Lloyd’s of London skyscraper
1979
I was born in 1979 and raised in Nairn. Growing up in the Highlands, I longed for the city. Of course, now that I work in London, I happily escape to a quiet corner of Kent at the end of the day.
1
I went to Edinburgh University in 1997 to study chemistry and got a first-class honours. The five-year course included one year at GSK in Stevenage in the pharma process development stage.
7
Following university, I spent seven years at Pfizer. I was 85% sure I wanted to do pharmaceuticals and ultimately went into the area where I had the necessary experience.
0.001g
I was involved in early-stage research in antiviral, targeting therapies for HIV and hepatitis. We would synthesise very small amounts (often milligrams) of a target to assess its promise. Drug development is a long process with a huge amount of work invested in the early stages.
30
Restructuring at Pfizer altered the feel of the department and this was a turning point for me. I was 30 and thought if I want to do something different, now is the time.
0.001g
I was involved in early-stage research in antiviral, targeting therapies for HIV and hepatitis. We would synthesise very small amounts (often milligrams) of a target to assess its promise. Drug development is a long process with a huge amount of work invested in the early stages.
30
Restructuring at Pfizer altered the feel of the department and this was a turning point for me. I was 30 and thought if I want to do something different, now is the time.
2009
I have an analytical brain and felt accountancy would be a great career path to venture down. I applied for a role at Baker Tilly (now RSM) in Tunbridge Wells, where I did my CA training. Having that qualification is a huge asset and has opened so many doors for me.
30
The Baker Tilly cohort of trainees were all 22-year-olds and I was 30. That age gap was enough to be known affectionately as “granny” among my classmates!
2
Post-qualification, I joined the M&A team at Towergate Insurance. I worked there for several years before moving into a number of different roles, including Project Accountant and Head of Statutory Reporting, and had two gorgeous children along the way.
2023
I was itching to get back to the office [after lockdowns]. I missed the social interaction and the knowledge you pick up from colleagues. Last year, a role was advertised at Lloyd’s which was aligned to what I was doing at that time. I love it here – love being back in the office, love coming into London, love this awesome building!
1986
I definitely have unfulfilled artistic leanings. I have huge appreciation for the architecture of the Lloyd’s building, which opened in 1986. I joked when I got the job that I would spend the first week going up and down in the lifts.
5
I’m the Statutory Reporting Manager in the external reporting team, based on the fifth floor. I’m coordinating the production of the annual reports; the nature of the reporting, the legislation, the bylaws… everything about Lloyd’s is fascinating and unique.
1859
The Lutine Bell was lost at sea in 1799, but recovered decades later and has been with Lloyd’s since 1859. It used to ring whenever a ship was lost (and twice when a “lost” ship returned to port), but is now only used for special occasions because it has a cracked lip.
Built with Shorthand