Elizabeth left school at 16 with a head for numbers and a talent for hairdressing.

After trying her hand at hairdressing during a day release programme at Lochaber High School, she followed the scissors first, studying hairdressing at UHI North, West and Hebrides, before qualifying as a hairdresser through an apprenticeship and working locally for four years.

Although her interest in people and finance never went away, so when a job came up at the Royal Bank of Scotland, she made the switch. Over nine years, Elizabeth built strong relationships, helped customers through big life moments, and developed the confidence to keep learning and growing.

That led to a stint as an Estate Agent, where she brought her people skills to the forefront once again.

Still, the numbers called her back. When an opportunity came up at Alvance British Aluminium, her dad James Duncan, who’d worked on-site for more than 20 years, encouraged her to go for it.

Now part of our Finance team, Elizabeth says it’s been a brilliant way to grow professionally while learning about the wider world of aluminium production.

She’s proof that you don’t need to take a straight line to end up exactly where you’re meant to be.

Want to work with us at Alvance British Aluminium or Jahama Highland Estates? Get in touch at lochabercareers@alvancegroup.com – we’d love to hear from you.