We’re excited to welcome a new face to the Standard Ledger UK team – Polly Johnston. She’s our new Senior Financial Analyst – and a triathlon enthusiast (more on that later).
Polly joins us with a strong background in financial planning and analysis, having worked across global teams in financial services. But what really drew her to Standard Ledger? The chance to work hands-on with founders in the startup space – where every day brings something new.
“Working with startups means things are always different – I can’t imagine getting bored here” says Polly.
Helping founders make sense of the numbers
Polly began her career in audit, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2021. She then spent over four years at Capco, a global financial services consultancy, working in FP&A. There, she supported international teams with forecasting and budgeting, gaining valuable insight into how businesses operate across different regions.
Now, she’s bringing that strategic experience into the startup world.
“If I can explain something that’s felt a bit mystifying – because let’s face it, accounting can be – and help a client see how it impacts their numbers, that’s the best part of the job.”
While Polly’s got plenty of spreadsheet skills, she’s a people person first – and loves working closely with clients to help them feel more confident in their financial decisions.
One of the biggest lessons Polly brings from her previous role? Adaptability.
“Working with so many different personalities taught me how to flex my communication style – something that really helps when supporting founders at different stages.”
Outside the Ledger
When she’s not untangling forecasts or supporting founders, Polly’s probably out training for a triathlon. What started as a lockdown experiment has turned into a full-blown hobby – though she insists it’s just for fun.
“I’m not super competitive – I just enjoy mixing it up between swimming, running and cycling. It gets monotonous doing just one thing!”
Since her brother convinced her to give it a go during the pandemic, she’s completed around four official races. These days, she’s more likely to be up at the crack of dawn training than staying out late – mostly so she can still enjoy her evenings socialising.
Beyond triathlons, Polly has a global side too. She studied French and Chinese at university and even spent a year living in Beijing.
Her ideal weekend? A margarita on Friday night, a countryside walk and a swim on Saturday, and a Sunday roast – or a takeaway, depending on the vibe.
Welcome to the team, Polly 👋
If you’re a Standard Ledger client in the UK, chances are you’ll be working with her soon – and we think you’ll be in very good hands.
