ABOUT
Committed to Sustainable Financial Performance
CFO | Consultant | Non Executive Director
Experienced CFO and Consultant with over 20 years senior and international leadership within a commercial setting, gained from working for several large multinational, SME and non-profit organisations, as well as having worked in an advisory capacity for one of the Big4 consultancy firms.
My previous roles and experience as a CFO mean that I have an in-depth understanding of core financial disciplines and processes including financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, treasury and tax management, together with end to end processes such as order to cash, procure to pay and record to report.
I am experienced at providing strategic direction; leadership; change management; and support in the pursuit of improved financial performance and sustainability; high team performance; and overall organisational excellence.
I have been fortunate enough to have held several roles that have required me to live abroad, which have given me exposure to different cultures and developed within me, a sensitivity to diversity and cultural differences, the respect of others’ opinions and to create and communicate within high performance, cohesive and diverse teams.
I operate at the C-Suite level and collaborate across a wide network of stakeholders including board members, business leaders, regulators, tax authorities and auditors.
One of the strengths I bring - so I am told - is that I can emphasise the story behind the numbers and can simplify complex financial matters. Over the years I have found this to be a key skill, one that benefits not only the management team in decision making but also the immediate team and the wider organisation through having access to a better understanding of why and how decisions are made, particularly when balancing multiple, often conflicting priorities.
Below are some examples of achievements:
· 25% EBITA growth.
· Strategically reduced operating costs by 15%.
· Diversified revenue streams generating 10% increased revenue.
· Established/Operationalised several companies in UK and overseas.
· Remediated control deficiencies across financial reporting processes.
· Designed/implemented a Bank of England ratified financial resilience operating model.
· Raised $3bn contingency funding.
· Reduced working capital by $2bn.
· Implemented Cloud based ERP systems across 15 countries.
· Designed an end-to-end inter-company operating model.
· Optimised tax planning generating $150m of P&L benefit.
· Built and developed high performing and energised finance teams.
Companies include: KPMG, HSBC, Aviva, Standard Chartered Bank, Onja, SSP.
I also hold several international Executive Board Director; Advisory Board and Board Trustee positions – including an advisor to two higher education organisations and a trustee for three UK charities. In addition I have chaired and sat on several senior committees, including Audit & Risk; Asset & Liability Management; Operations Management and Remuneration & Reward.
Outside the office I am a football fan and loyal supporter of my home town club Hereford. I hold several wine certifications and enjoy the odd glass or two here or even better in France, when time allows. I am an animal lover and the owner of a Border Terrier called Bonnie.