Meet the team: Ceri Humphrey, Finance Director for EDF’s Customers business.

Can you tell us a little about your role and what you do at EDF?

I joined EDF's Customers business in June 2023 as Finance Director, and one of the things I’ve really enjoyed since then is just how varied the role is.

While Finance is obviously a big part of what I do, my responsibilities are much broader. I also look after our Risk, Supply Chain and IT Portfolio teams, so there’s always plenty going on and no two days are ever quite the same! I’m also the Senior Information Risk Officer for the Customers business, which means I’m involved in how we manage areas such as cyber risk and business continuity.

For me, that variety is one of the best things about the role. I get to work with lots of different people across the business and get involved in a broad mix of topics and challenges. I particularly enjoy bringing different perspectives together, working through some of the more complex issues we face, and helping our teams and the wider business make good decisions.

It’s a role that keeps me on my toes, but that’s also what makes it so enjoyable.

What attracted you to join EDF?

I wasn’t actually looking for a role in the energy sector at the time. I was CFO of a technical services company that was acquired by Dalkia, another member of the EDF family, and through that I was asked whether I’d be interested in a role within EDF.

Having spent more than 20 years working in construction and engineering, what really attracted me was the opportunity to do something quite different. Energy is such an important and fast-changing sector, and it felt like a great opportunity to bring my experience into a business that is incredibly relevant to the challenges we face today.

The chance to do something new, keep learning and work in such a different environment made the move really appealing.

Looking back, how did your career journey lead you to where you are today?

I’ve always been drawn to roles that offer plenty of variety and challenge, and I’ve never really wanted to stay solely within the traditional boundaries of finance.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to do a real mix of things; from management consultancy and helping to run a start-up modular housing business, to sitting on external boards and getting involved in some pretty significant projects. Each experience has pushed me in different ways and given me the opportunity to see how different businesses and teams operate.

Looking back, I think that variety has been really important in shaping the leader I am today. It’s broadened my experience, built my confidence and taught me to be comfortable stepping into new situations where I might not necessarily have all the answers from day one. I think that willingness to keep learning and take on new challenges has been a big part of my career journey.

You've played a key role in shaping the culture of your team. What values are most important to you?

Being transparent and inquisitive are probably top of my list. I think it’s really important that people feel able to speak openly, question constructively and be honest when something isn’t working, without worrying about how that will be received.

For me, it’s also about doing the right thing, even when it isn’t necessarily the easiest option, and being consistent in how you treat people and make decisions.

How do those values show up in day-to-day life within the team?

We’re not afraid to lift the bonnet, have a good look around and work out what needs fixing. I think that willingness to challenge ourselves and be open about what could be better is really important.

We don’t get everything right all the time – and I wouldn’t expect us to. What matters is that we’re honest about it, learn from it and focus our energy on what we need to do differently.

How would members of your team describe the culture you've built?

Perhaps the most important thing to recognise is that we’ve built it together! Being supportive would feature highly. There’s a real willingness to help each other, share challenges and work together to find solutions. Alongside that, there’s a strong determination to be highly professional, to keep making things better, for ourselves, for the wider team and for the business we support.

What has been your proudest moment as a leader?

In my experience at EDF, it’s less about one standout moment and more about lots of moments that add up. I take real pride in seeing the team recognised for the value they bring to the business, and in seeing individuals grow, develop and reach important milestones in their careers. Those are the moments I find most rewarding as a leader.

What makes a career in Finance at EDF different from other organisations?

What EDF does is unique. We’re at the heart of the energy transition and electrification in the UK, and in Finance we have a privileged view of that from the inside. It means we get to work on some really interesting and important challenges and see the impact of the decisions we help the business make.

What opportunities are available for people who join the Customers Finance team?

There’s a huge amount of opportunity to move around and build your career at EDF, whether that’s within Customers or across the wider EDF family. We have people in the Finance team who started their careers in other functions, and Finance alumni who have gone on to operational and commercial leadership roles

What skills and qualities do you believe are most important for success in Finance today, including any transferable skills from other sectors that lend themselves to EDF?

I think two areas are becoming increasingly important. The first is data – knowing how to harness it to generate insight and make better decisions. The second is change – knowing how to harness the skills and experience of our people to make improvements that are both effective and sustainable.

EDF’s Customers Business has secured a place on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work top 10 for the second consecutive year – how do you see that manifested in daily life at work?

We are unparalleled in the support and flexibility we offer our people, including across wellbeing, training and career development, and flexible working.  Time and again, the team tell me how important those things are to them.

At EDF, we believe Success is Personal.  What does success mean for you?

For me, success is about having a role that challenges me, but is also rewarding and enjoyable, in a great environment. I also love seeing the team get a win – whether that’s delivering a successful project, landing a great contract or, of course, getting a clean audit! Those moments of shared success are always particularly rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Finance at EDF?

EDF is a fantastic business, but it’s also a large and complex organisation operating in a complex industry. I wouldn’t underestimate the challenges that brings – but equally, the opportunities that come with them. Be curious, ask questions and be persistent. Those qualities will take you a long way here.

Finally, what excites you most about the future of Finance at EDF?

We’re at the beginning of a pretty significant shift in how we work across Customers Finance. Data, automation and AI will fundamentally change some of what we do, but ultimately it will be our people and our culture that determine how successfully we embrace those opportunities. Bringing those things together and helping steer us in the right direction is what really excites me about the next few years.