Meet Sharon Blair

What does somebody outside of ICD think you do for work? My friends and family think I’m a bean counter. Some type of nerdy accountant who does calculations all day and gets really excited over math equations.

What do you actually do at ICD? I’m the Financial Controller which acts like the second-in-charge to a CFO. I’m mainly involved in the day-to-day management of ICD’s finances. I also support the team with reporting and analysis to inform key decision making.

Did you always want to do the job you have now? I always liked numbers and had a business centric mind. When I first started my career, I thought I would simply be an accountant. I originally planned to work my way up at a big firm to a partnership position, but several years down the track realised I was very interested in understanding businesses more commercially. So I moved into an industry role and worked in-house. Then came the opportunity to move into property, which is where my passion for property developed.

What makes you passionate about property? I love that it’s bringing something to fruition. With property, you can see the end product. I love the operations point of view in property too, which is why a role like mine fits me perfectly.

What has been your proudest achievement to date? Definitely setting up the accounting team at ICD. We’ve created something out of nothing and quickly grown in skills and as a team. You can never buy that experience. Being a part of a team, working together, growing with one another. Something like that is a one in one-hundred experience.

If you could have a dinner party with any six people who would they be? My grandparents from my mother’s side who are unfortunately no longer with us. Elvis Presley, whose music I love! Then Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana. And lastly, Mother Theresa. She’d be able to share so many great stories about what she experienced in her life which would be a very humbling experience.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt in life? Striving to do things out of your comfort zone. Which I’ve actually learnt a lot here with ICD! If I didn’t persist and adapt with my current role, diving into the unknown world of property, I never would’ve learnt the things I know now. I’ve grown so much in the last 1 – 2 years at ICD than I think I ever have. Simply by giving it a go. Which has also given me a lot of personal development.

What’s one thing you wish everyone knew? From a work sense, the undeniable power of team work and empowering your staff. Creating an environment where your staff can thrive alongside you is so important!

How do you define success? Making a difference in peoples lives and helping others. Also being able to add unique value.