Debbie Hodgson
Head of Project Management
What does your role at LAKE involve?
I'm Head of Project Management Services. My objective is to ensure we deliver projects within the agreed scope on time and to budget. We like nothing more than to exceed the customer's expectations.
How long have you been with LAKE and what did you do before you joined?
My background is systems and finance. After qualifying as an accountant in practice I moved into industry and followed a systems path, and ended up running a Finance and IT Systems team.
I joined LAKE in September 2020, but I've worked with the LAKE team for much longer, having been responsible for Finance and Systems at two LAKE customers for about 20 years before that.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
It's a mixture of a few things really. I enjoy working with the people at LAKE. Everyone you work with here is open and honest and I really like that. I also really enjoy helping our customer's deliver successful projects.
If you had to pick out three achievements or pieces of work that you're particularly proud of from your time at LAKE, what would they be?
That's an interesting question as I have experience working for LAKE and also as a customer where I worked very closely with the LAKE team, and I am proud of many of the successful projects I've helped to deliver on both sides.
In my old role, when I was Head of Financial Systems and Control at a LAKE customer, we introduced Proactis P2P, and it was a really successful project. It had great feedback across the business. We also implemented SunSystems and Q&A which was also very successful.
Since coming to LAKE, the thing I'm most proud of is the way I've helped to develop and strengthen our project implementation methodology and communication standards. This has been a key focus area for me and I'm very proud of what we've achieved.
And finally, I am proud of the great projects we've delivered, especially those that have resulted in positive customer testimonials stories like the project we completed recently for C40, or St.Catherine's Hospice.
What does your background, experience and knowledge mean for customers?
The biggest benefit for me is that I've worked on both sides. I'm a qualified accountant and I've managed Finance Teams and IT and Systems teams where I've been responsible for project delivery. So, when I'm dealing with the customer, this gives me an empathy and a powerful insight into what they are thinking and the challenges they may be facing.
What excites you most when you think about LAKE's future plans and the future of business systems in general?
The fact that my role never stands still. I have the freedom and authority to help develop it in line with best practice. I am looking forward to being involved in the development of LAKE service packages over the next few years, with an increasing focus on Cloud and value-add services.
What do you do when you're not working?
I'm very much a family and friends oriented person. There's not much that can beat a walk along the Northumbrian Coast. I also love exercise. I play netball and cycle regularly, and enjoy watching sports. I also like to go to live concert and theatre performances.
What is one item on your bucket list?
I'd like to see a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
What would your specialist Mastermind subject be?
I'd probably choose to test my knowledge of cheesy pop and country music!
