Professor Elaine Boyd, OBE, DL, FCCA, ACA tells us more about the obstacles she has had to overcome, what inspires her, and her experience as a Disability Power 100 judge…
“When I left school there wasn’t a lot of support for me to move into a professional role. Due to my disability (cerebral palsy – left hemiplegia) I was encouraged to work in a shop. I had a different ambition and managed to secure a trainee accountant post within a firm of chartered accountants. From there I moved to the NHS and worked in internal audit and financial management. Whilst working in the NHS I qualified as a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). I am passionate about good public services and felt that a move to Audit Scotland, where I have recently retired from, would give me the opportunity to have a wider perspective and influence on public services. I wasn’t wrong and I spent 22 years working there with involvement across the public sector. My final role was as the Director of Audit Quality and Appointments.”
Championing Inclusion and Changing Perceptions of Disability
Elaine reflects on her younger years and the impact of being told what she couldn’t do, instead of what she could.
“In my younger years I accepted that I was unable to participate in many things. Unfortunately, my school experience was very negative on what I could achieve.
Very often people have a perception of what disabled people can and can’t do and make judgements based on their own knowledge. This is very frustrating as the best person to ask is the one with the disability. I think disabled people are fantastic problem solvers as often we cannot do things conventionally or in the expected manner. We need to think outside of the box in how to tackle things.
There is far too much emphasis on what we can’t do and not enough on what we are able / more than capable of doing. If someone indicates that I can’t do something I challenge that and ask why, rather than accepting the negative position.”
She goes on to recognise the more recent positive changes in the media that celebrate disability and what disabled individuals are capable of.
“I am fully behind Channel 4 and the Paralympics in creating more opportunities for young disabled people to participate in sport. I hope the recent media coverage and Paralympic sport have created a more positive and inclusive environment for change.”
Recognition, Community and Giving Back
Elaine shattered the ceiling that had been placed above her in her early life by pioneering a career in accountancy and finance, eventually earning her title as Director of Audit Quality and Appointments.
“Despite low expectations at school, I have become a qualified accountant with both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales.
Prior to retirement I was the Director of Audit Quality and Appointments at Audit Scotland and in charge of the team that held auditors across Scotland to account for the quality of their work. I have held professional roles too with the Financial Reporting Council and I am currently a global council member of ACCA. Earlier this year Glasgow Caledonian University awarded me an honorary professorship at the Business School, I am delighted to share my knowledge with students and business professionals of the future.”
However successful in her career, Elaine has never lost sight of the importance of using her voice to champion others in the community.
“Being able to give back is important to me and I have been privileged to be a board member of Cerebral Palsy Scotland, Exceed Worldwide and Glasgow Riding for the Disabled. I also represented stand up skiers in the Disability Snowsports UK skier representative group.
Being included in the DP100 in 2020 and 2022 is a special highlight for me, as well as being able to reflect on what I had achieved it felt like I was joining a community of like-minded people.”
In January 2023 Elaine was included in the King’s new year’s honours list for her charity and public service of 30 years and was awarded an OBE. When awarded her OBE Elaine thought most about the others that it represented who had helped her throughout the years, “This wasn’t just for me it is for my family, friends and colleagues who have helped me along the way.”
Elaine’s recognition from the King didn’t just stop with her OBE, Elaine goes on to say, “In February this year I was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire. It is a huge privilege to represent His Majesty at events.”
Ultimately, to Elaine, it’s her role as wife and mum that bring her the most pride.
“My proudest role is being a wife to my wonderful husband Tom and mum to our lovely daughter Jenna. Oh, and not forgetting being a dog mum to our crazy Cockapoo Maddie.”
Serving as a Disability Power 100 Judge and Celebrating Diversity
Elaine has joined the DP100 as a judge for the past two years, and year on year our judges comment on the great quality of the nominations we receive.
“It has been an honour to be a judge in 2023 and 2024. Reading the nominations always provides me with joy and hope for the future. I really love engaging with other judges and hearing different perspectives. We are all committed to highlighting what disabled people can do which is my stance too. I get cross when people focus on the negative aspects of disability.
The quality of nominations this year has improved dramatically this year. As judges we have been united in basing our judgements on the evidence provided.”
Celebrating Diversity
“The DP100 is a platform for celebrating diversity like no other. Over the past few years the level of interest and respect for the growing community is definitely on the rise. People are talking about it in the disabled community as a significant milestone in what can be achieved. The annual event brings together everyone involved but it is becoming more of an ongoing celebration with community highlights throughout the year which is fantastic. I am keen to see more representation from Scotland and would be delighted to help to increase interest in Scotland.”
We are always looking for ways to diversify the nominations even more, and having a diverse group of judges helps grow our reach to communities further.
This year, Elaine was invited to attend the Paralympic Garden Party, a day where she recalls feeling especially proud of her disability.
“Attending the Paralympic Garden Party is something I will never forget, it was such a special and memorable day for me. It was a privilege to be there with representatives from the DP100, it is hard to describe how I felt that day. This probably isn’t the right phrase, but it almost felt like I wanted to show off my disability. Being part of the DP100 gives us collective confidence in meeting barriers and challenges.
There is certainly still work to be done in creating a more inclusive world, where diversity is celebrated. Elaine points out, “I still think people have low expectations for people with disabilities. When we are told that’s not possible, we should challenge that perception.”
From her own personal experience with disability, as well as being a DP100 judge, Elaine says her best piece of advice would be:
“Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams. Create an action plan in life of what you want to do. Revisit it often and revise where appropriate. This approach allows us to measure our achievements too. I know this is very much aligned to my geeky audit approach, but it works in other settings too.”