Discover the variety behind a career in Finance: Meet Tayo
Having recently joined the Finance team at Severn Trent, Tayo has spent the past two years supporting our renewable team — the part of the business that transforms wastewater sludge into renewable energy and valuable by‑products. In their role, no two days are ever the same. The variety of work, the chance to partner with different teams, and the opportunity to make a real impact are all big parts of what keeps the role exciting.
Tayo helps drive performance through insight and supports stakeholders in making informed decisions. They’ve also embraced the many opportunities Severn Trent offers to grow and develop, from specialist finance programmes to practical, hands‑on learning across the business.
We sat down with Tayo to learn more about their journey, their role, and how Severn Trent has supported their development so far.
Tell us a little about yourself
I’ve been working at Severn Trent for over two years as a Finance Business Partner for Bioresources (Renewables) Operations the part of the business that transforms wastewater sludge into renewable energy and recyclable by-product. I support the team on decision making and help drive performance through insight.
In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with people who are close to me, completing puzzles, a good spa day and I try stay active by going to the gym (key word there is try).
What were you doing before joining Severn Trent?
Before Severn Trent, I worked in various industries, my most recent role before joining was as a Commercial Finance Business Partner at Muller MMI focused on revenue, where I supported stakeholder decision making and reviewed pricing. That role helped me build strong commercial business partnering skills, which I have continued to develop in my current role.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
No one day is the same for me. I regularly spend days on site with my stakeholders to review monthly performance, discuss what we can do differently, key drivers, volumetrics and discussing risks & opportunities.
On other days, I focus on a variety of tasks, usually on analysis, forecasting, reporting, ensuring financial insights are clear and actionable to support decision-making. The variety of my role gives me the opportunity to work with different teams, which I have found to be valuable.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the variety in my role and the opportunity to work with different stakeholders who value Finance and wants them in the room. I particularly enjoy the partnering aspect, and it is rewarding to know that the insights I provide can have real impact.
Can you tell us a bit about your team and how you work together?
I see my team as two parts. Firstly, the Finance function where we work closely together through supporting each other, sharing best practise and keeping each other informed of any risks or opportunities that impact different areas.
Secondly, there is the wider Bioresources Operations team within Severn Trent. With them the focus is on business partnering and working collaboratively to understand performance and future plans. We also have away days to ensure we are all aware of the business area strategy and what is coming up next.
What training or development opportunities have you had since joining?
Since joining Severn Trent, I have had several training and development opportunities. I had a “Welcome to Severn Trent” day within the first few weeks of joining to learn more about Severn Trent. I have also received training on our financial reporting system, Tagetik and I am currently completing “Influencing learning pathway” to develop my influencing skills.
Most recently and as part of my development, I have signed up for a specialised Finance personal effectiveness programme, which focuses on developing bigger picture thinking, stakeholder engagement, personal branding, presentation, and communication skills.
What career paths have you explored or discovered within the company?
Since joining Severn Trent, I have witnessed people moving around different functions within finance and outside of Finance to Operations and HR. I recently completed a day in the life of Treasury where I spent time with both the Treasury front and back office to gain an insight into what a typical day looks like for them. It was interesting to see how their work operates day-to-day and to relate it back to what I learnt through my master’s in finance. Experiences like this have helped me understand the broader career paths available and how different functions within the business connect.
Where do you see your career progressing in the next five years?
In the next five years, I envision to build my experience within the Finance function at Severn Trent. Ultimately, I aim to move into a senior finance role where I can have a greater impact on business decisions that shape the business, developing individuals and support organisational growth.
What do you wish you had known before starting at Severn Trent?
I wish I had fully appreciated the breadth of opportunities available to learn and develop within the business, from training programmes to experiences like ‘day in the life’ sessions.
What helped you settle in quickly when you joined?
The people! I have been fortunate to work with patient and supportive Finance and Operational teams, who have taken time to share knowledge and guide me. This has made it easier to understand the role, build confidence and succeed in my position.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Severn Trent?
People at Severn Trent are proactive, open-minded, willing to learn and ultimately focused on doing the right thing. Do your research about the company and be ready to show how your skills and experience not only align to the role but also reflect the Severn Trent values.
What’s the best part about working at Severn Trent?
The best part about working at Severn Trent is the people. I have met some truly inspiring role models and everyone that I’ve worked with in Finance and Operations have been supportive and willing to share their knowledge. I also enjoy the variety in my role as well as having the opportunity to contribute my ideas. That combination of great people, collaboration and the ability to make an impact makes it a rewarding place to work.
Interested in a finance career at Severn Trent?
Explore our latest opportunities and discover where a role in our Finance team could take you.