Dawsongroup | finance

An interview with… Fiona MacDougall, operations manager

The Dawsongroup Finance family is smaller than you might imagine – our 12-strong team, supported by a field sales team, are a close-knit bunch based at our HQ in Ringwood, Dorset. We know each other well and have close working relationships with our customers – but for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, we’re launching a series of mini blogs to introduce you to our team!

First up is the fantastic Fiona MacDougall, who has worked with us for many years, and now manages ‘the dream team’ comprising Chloe, the Assistant Operations Manager, and Operations Administrator Karen. So, we asked Fiona…

Can you describe your role?

“Once the customer agreement has been signed, and the supplier paid, we’re responsible for managing the life of the contract, from billing and payment collection, right through to the end of the agreement, whether that’s the end of the lease and the return of the asset, or the collection of the balloon payment.

“My team also handles the “car book”, funding and supporting Contract Hire companies rather than the end users, again for the life of the agreement. This book was the reason I joined Dawson Group and I think of it as my baby!

What do you love about your job?

“I get a lot of job satisfaction because there is so much variety in my role – no two days are the same. I have a really good relationship with our clients and funders.  We pride ourselves on our accuracy and attention to detail which keeps everyone happy.

How do you relax?

“When the pandemic hit and we started working from home, it was very easy to keep working and never get away from the desk, so I made a real effort to get out for a walk every day. I love dining out with a nice bottle of wine, and while I’m not a keen gardener, I really appreciate a beautiful garden, so I will often visit National Trust and English Heritage gardens at the weekends.”

What do people find surprising about you?

“I think that I can be quite feisty! I’m short and might look quite mild – but I can be fiery at times!”

Tea or coffee?

“Coffee”

Restaurant or take out?

“Restaurant”

Cat or dog?

“Dog”

Bournemouth Beach or New Forest?

“New Forest”

All-inclusive hotel, or cultural city break?

“Cultural city break”