Julie Patterson(Opens in a new tab/window) recently joined the NRFC in the newly created role of Chief Finance and Operations Officer. Julie has extensive experience in accounting and corporate banking, having worked in numerous roles both in Australia and overseas.
We sat down with Julie to find out more about her role at the NRFC and how it will help the NRFC to better deliver investments to improve Australia’s manufacturing capabilities.
Can you tell us about your role as Chief Finance and Operations Officer – what are your key responsibilities and focus areas?
My role has lots of variety, with responsibility for the NRFC’s Finance, Investment Services, and Technology functions. While these functions appear diverse, they share a common purpose of enabling our customers and colleagues to drive success for a prosperous Australia by providing consistency, simplification, accuracy, and insight.
I’m also responsible for ensuring that the NRFC’s processes, technology, and reporting balance ease of use with providing insight and clarity on driving our strategic ambitions.
What excites you most about your role at the NRFC?
Like the rest of the team, I am drawn to the purpose of the NRFC. The opportunity to support a prosperous future for the Australian economy feels like such a uniting North Star for all of us. I love the ability of the NRFC to harness Aussie innovation and ingenuity while also driving job creation all over the country. As someone who lives in regional Australia, this is really motivating.
Specifically for my role, I am excited that we basically have a blank slate to build our processes and systems for the future. It is a rare opportunity to be a builder and not a repairer.
Can you tell us a little bit about your career journey so far?
I have been lucky enough to spend my life between two shores. After completing Commerce/Law at UNSW in Sydney, I started my career in professional services training as a chartered accountant at KPMG Ireland. I then worked in a variety of industries and businesses across Ireland, the UK, and the US. This really drove my curiosity to understand what drives businesses and helps them succeed. I also saw first-hand what impact job creation and economic growth can have on societal wellbeing and cohesion.
I then moved into corporate banking, and for the last 25 years have worked at RBS and NAB across the UK and Ireland and for the last 15 years in Australia. Banking has allowed me to gain skills and experience in corporate finance, risk management, operations, technology, and organisational strategy and implementation along with customer and colleague experience. Banking was also an amazing industry for me to grow not only skills but leadership.
What is the best leadership advice you have received?
One of the most memorable pieces of advice I got was when I was executive sponsor for a major technology implementation. It was one of the hardest and yet most motivating and amazing pieces of work I have ever been involved in. As with all really hard challenges, there will be bumps in the road and we just have to accept that, pause, reset, and move on.
One of my leaders during one of these bumps in the road reminded me of the sage words of Mike Tyson: “Everyone thinks they have a plan until they get punched in the face”. Success is getting back up one more time than you fall down.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I have performed at the Sydney Opera House!
Many years ago, I did music for my HSC and played the flute. I had an amazing duet partner who was super talented and we won an eisteddfod together for which the prize was to play at the Sydney Opera House. My duet partner went to the Conservatorium of Music and I went to law school, which tells you all you need to know about my talent!
When you are not working at the NRFC, how do you like to unwind and recharge?
I have always loved running and ran my first marathon 17 years ago. I have completed 22 marathons and ultramarathons, including four of the world majors. I love the energy, positivity, and human spirit in marathons and I hope I have many more in me.
I live on the south coast of NSW with my amazing husband and two divine daughters who are now 23 and 20. Now that our girls are grown, my husband and I love nothing more than taking off in his converted Land Rover Defender along the coast camping with our labrador Sunny. Setting up with a fire, a good book, and a glass of wine – bliss!
If you'd like to connect or learn more, you can reach out to Julie via LinkedIn.(Opens in a new tab/window)