International Women’s Day: In Conversation with Jenna Bramhall, Finance Director
At ACORN, one of our core values is developing and training our people to become future leaders, and we’re proud to promote from within. As we mark International Women’s Day, we’re also celebrating a brilliant milestone for one of our own.
Following her recent promotion to Finance Director, we sat down with Jenna Bramhall to talk about leadership, learning, and what meaningful support for women’s careers really looks like.
Congratulations on the promotion, Jenna. What’s been the biggest shift moving from Financial Controller to Finance Director?
The biggest shift has been moving from being the expert who ensures accuracy to becoming a leader who shapes direction. As a Financial Controller, my focus was on precision, compliance, and making sure the numbers were right. Stepping into the Finance Director role will mean widening the lens: I will be focusing much more on strategy, influencing decisions across the business, and translating financial insight into commercial action.
What’s a finance skill you think everyone in the business should have?
If I could pick one, it would be understanding how value is created. You don’t need to be a finance expert to grasp margin, cash flow, or return on investment; but once you do, you make better decisions, whatever your role. Being able to see the bigger picture from all aspects of the business.
Looking back, what helped you most in progressing your career: a person, a moment, or a mind-set?
I would have to say people. I have been lucky to have worked with fantastic mentors and role models over the years, from whom I have learnt and gained so much knowledge. They have shaped me into the working woman I am today.
What do you wish more people understood about supporting women’s careers beyond just mentoring?
Real support means removing structural barriers, creating real opportunities and actively bringing women into rooms where decisions are made.
What’s the best piece of career advice you received?
That even the hardest and challenging work situations, even though it may not feel like it at the time, will provide you with invaluable work experience.
If a younger colleague is reading this on International Women’s Day, what would you want them to take away?
I’d want them to take away that their voice and perspective genuinely matter. Even when they’re the youngest in the room, even when they’re still figuring things out. Careers aren’t built on perfection; they’re built on curiosity, courage, and showing up consistently.
What’s a finance myth you’d love to retire forever?
That finance is the “department of no.” Good finance is actually about enabling smart, strategic “yeses.” It’s one of the most relationship-driven functions in the business.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn that (despite my height), I play Netball competitively. I play in a local league in Sheffield and have done for over 10 years now.
Jenna’s journey is a great example of what ‘progression through opportunity’ looks like in practice, and a reminder that developing future leaders isn’t a slogan, it’s something we build day by day.
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating Jenna’s promotion, her leadership, and the impact of backing talented people with real chances to grow.
Acorn Industrial Services Ltd is part of Axel Johnson International, a privately owned Swedish industrial group operating globally. The group has a dedicated long-term approach to ownership, emphasising sustainable progress and collaboration. The focus lies on acquisitions and the development of companies specialising in technical components and industrial solutions. The group consists of more than 200 companies and employs 6,000 people in 35 countries, organised into six business groups, each focusing on selected niche markets. Axel Johnson International is a part of the Swedish family-owned corporate group, Axel Johnson. www.axinter.com