Sarah Watson

Sarah Watson is an experienced finance professional with a background in accounting, financial management, and organisational governance across several sectors in the UK and overseas.

Originally from the North East of Scotland, she has built her career around careful analysis, practical problem‑solving, and supporting finance operations in varied and fast‑moving settings.

Sarah began her academic journey studying Accountancy at the University of Stirling, giving her a strong foundation in financial reporting, audit, taxation, and corporate governance. She later advanced her professional qualifications in Glasgow, completing her CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) training, further strengthening her expertise in management accounting, strategic finance, and performance evaluation.

Early in her career, Sarah joined BAA, preparing management accounts for some of the UK’s major airports. This introduced her to large‑scale operational finance and the complexities of working within regulated, high‑volume environments.

Sarah later spent several years in the oil and gas sector, working across different areas of finance until 2015. During this time, she gained experience in planning, forecasting, cost management, and working closely with technical and operational teams.

In 2015, she chose to take a career break to travel and work within the maritime industry, which offered new international experience and opportunities to adapt to varied operational environments. This period broadened her perspective, adaptability, and leadership skills while strengthening her ability to manage responsibilities in high‑pressure, globally mobile roles.

Sarah has continued to develop her skills through a range of finance roles, maintaining a focus on sound financial practice and supporting effective decision‑making. In her role as Finance Manager at SAIC, she is looking forward to contributing her experience to SAIC’s work in supporting innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience within Scotland’s aquaculture sector.

Sarah is known for her attention to detail, straightforward approach, and commitment to strong financial governance.