CM Connect: Jenny

Introducing

Jenny Lowe – Manager

This month we meet Jenny who has been with CM Partners since October 2019.

How long have you been with CM?

I started with CM Partners as a Manager in October 2019, however I have had a long-standing connection with CM since 2001, when I worked as a student during school Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. I was keen to train as an accountant, but wanted to experience the environment and get a feel for what it involved before deciding fully whether to commit to the intense training.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The variety that the job offers keeps my role very interesting and I’m always learning new things even after 20 years in the profession. Training the next generation of accountants is also something that is very important to me and I enjoy teaching and developing others. It is one of the main reasons I have chosen to remain in practice and to work for CM, as they are such a supportive firm in many ways, but most notably in the training that they offer for people starting out in their careers.

What do you believe to be the most important qualities you need in your role?

I would say you need to be a good communicator, a team player and willing to learn not just whilst you’re studying but throughout your career. Integrity, adaptability and resourcefulness are important qualities, together with having a growth mindset so that you are able to continue learning and keep up to date in such a fast-paced landscape.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in accountancy and fiduciary services?

I would say to anyone thinking of becoming an accountant, that they should be open-minded about what accountancy entails, as it is such a broad suite of services these days, and there are lots of opportunities to specialise. They should also be willing to work hard to ensure that they are delivering the level of quality and service that their clients deserve.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

I am an accomplished pianist and tenor horn player, holding the DipABRSM qualification on both instruments, and I teach both brass and piano on a weekly basis to private pupils and the junior members of the Manx Youth Band as a volunteer.

I am also the principal horn player for Manx Concert Brass and having recently had success placing 3^rd in the North West Area Brass Band Competition in Blackpool, we now have the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best bands in Blackpool next year.

Can you share one thing that we probably don’t know about you?

I have recently returned to work following maternity leave and becoming a new mum to Robin. When I’m not working and seeing to my music commitments I love spending time with Robin enjoying his current favourite pastimes of visiting the park, feeding the ducks and going for an ice cream and a run around on the beach.

I also love animals and over the years I have had lots of pet rabbits including giant continental breeds. Nowadays, I just have two cats, two goldfish and a tortoise called Torty who’s believed to be about 50 years old.