Director of Finance and Operations, Cranfield School of Management
Apprenticeship Portfolio Director, Cranfield University
Neil Wilson BSc ACA became the Director of Finance and Operations for Cranfield School of Management in August 2014. In December 2021 his remit widened as he became Apprenticeship Portfolio Director for Cranfield University.
After graduating in Physics from the University of Southampton, Neil qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) following three years of professional examinations and relevant work experience with one of the UK's major Accountancy firms, Ernst and Whinney (later becoming Ernst and Young).
After qualification, Neil spent a further year running audits of large multi-national companies with Ernst and Whinney, before joining the Owner Managed Business Services department of KPMG, where he spent seven years providing a range of accounting, audit, tax and corporate advisory services to SMEs.
Neil then took up a role in industry as Financial Controller of a privately-owned house building company for two years, followed by further commercial roles of Financial Controller for a UK stock exchange listed auction and logistics business for six years and Finance Director of Cranfield Aerospace, a commercial venture subsidiary of Cranfield University for four years.
Neil joined Cranfield School of Management in September 2007. The School's main activities are postgraduate degree programmes (both taught Master's and Research degrees) and Research and Executive Education. Neil's primary roles involve financial control, managing the School's budget together, with managing the School's building resources and related support services.