Comment by Anna Gaynor, Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer

The Finance team decided to jump into the Book Week Parade because, let’s face it, we could all use a bit of fun and creativity in our work lives. Why should the little kids have all the fun? While we’re usually knee-deep in budgets and spreadsheets, this was a chance to show a lighter side of the team and connect with each other in a different way. Plus, who doesn’t love the excuse to dress up as their favourite book character and have a laugh with colleagues? It’s a great reminder that even in the world of finance, there’s room for a bit of fun and whimsy. We take our work seriously, but we try not to take ourselves too seriously.

Our CFO, Karma Auden (or as she likes to call herself, the “Chief Numbers Person”), often reminds us that behind every number is a story waiting to be told. Whether it’s unravelling the “why” behind the figures or helping others understand the bigger picture, Karma’s approach is all about making finance relatable. One of her favourite taglines is: “Speak like a human, not an accountant.” So, what better way to embrace that philosophy than by stepping into the world of storytelling—literally? Book Week gave us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the power of stories, both in books and in the numbers we work with every day.

Events like this give us a chance to step away from our desks, share a few stories (pun intended), and bond over something other than deadlines. And hey, if we can inspire a few smiles along the way, that’s a win in our books—pun absolutely intended.