As Director of Finance, Gill Ball is responsible for the short and long-term financial planning and security of the corporate University and the Budget Centres within it. She advises the Vice-Chancellor, SPRC and Council on financial strategy and monitoring the University's achievements against that strategy. In addition, Gill provides reports to external bodies and delivers services to students, members of the public and other bodies. She contributes to the strategic direction and management of the University through membership of a variety of strategic planning groups across campus.
Gill is responsible for the management of the Finance Office and its services (payroll, pensions, payments, income collection, investment management, procurement, accounting and financial reporting - further details can be found at www.finance.bham.ac.uk).
After studying in Sheffield, Gill began her professional career in 1980. Following five years in Local Government, she joined The University of Birmingham in 1985, initially with a brief to develop financial management systems for an area of core business of the University.
After a year, her attentions were turned to developing and managing the much broader range of financial services and activities, culminating in her appointment as the Director of Finance in 1995 of one of the largest institutions in the sector.
Gill has been involved in a wide range of HE sector issues - as Secretary to the British Universities Finance Directors Group from 2002 - 2005, contributed to national groups on costing and pricing, participated in a number of HEFCE working groups and has given extensive support to the Leadership Foundation in delivering financial training for senior staff and governors.
Currently, she is immediate past President of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) the largest global accountancy body with c 125,000 members and 300,000 students. This role has given her a valuable insight into governance from the non-executive perspective to contrast with the management responsibilities to governors in Birmingham.
Gill is currently a Governor of the King Edward Foundation, two Independent Schools and a Grammar School and has served as Deputy Chair of an insurance mutual and as a member of the Audit Committee of the Economic & Social Research Council.
October 08
