THE LINE UP_ Rachael Rickwood, Northzone

Kicking off our next gen initiative, THE LINE UP_ founding member Rachael Rickwood, FD of Northzone, takes us through her career journey so far. 

Rachael's story is somewhat unique, having decided to swap out a law degree for an in-house audit training scheme. She talks us through that decision and importantly, how quickly she was able to rise through the ranks. Rachael then tells us about her move to Northzone during the pandemic and with little previous experience of the venture capital industry. 

As well as exploring the value of practical experience versus formal education, we also cover the challenges faced by finance professionals today, and the importance of mentorship and career progression in the finance industry. 

THE LINE UP_ is all about supporting networking and sharing experiences as a means of navigating challenges and fostering growth.

Takeaways

• Rachael transitioned from audit to venture capital during the pandemic.
• Collaboration and networking are essential for career growth in finance.
• Practical experience can be more valuable than traditional education.
• Finance teams are now expected to provide more strategic insights.
• The importance of culture in smaller firms can shape the work environment.
• Finance functions must adapt to changing market conditions and demands.
• There is a growing need for finance professionals to embrace technology.
• The future of finance will involve more collaboration and innovation.