Having studied for a degree in Electrical Engineering at University College Cork, Mary decided to seek pastures new by joining KPMG in Dublin to train as a Chartered Accountant. After qualification she then spent a few years working in Australia followed by a period of travelling and finally arriving in Bournemouth Prior to joining the Arts University Bournemouth in 2005, Mary worked in a number of sectors including construction/development, house building, training & enterprise and consultancy. Mary’s current role is that of Director of Finance & Planning and in common with many smaller institutions she wears a number of hats from finance to procurement, admissions, student records and management information systems and reporting. She is also a governor of a local academy and treasurer for the ‘Pink Champagne’ cancer charity.