Experience

Food Standards Scotland

• United Kingdom
• Public Safety
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Non-exec Board Member and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee

  • Jan 2022 - Present



Scottish Civic Trust

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Trustee

  • Sep 2020 - Sep 2022



Scottish Building Society

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Finance Director

  • Jun 2016 - Dec 2019

  Edinburgh, United Kingdom Main Board member and PRA approved function holder. Remit includes Finance, Risk, Compliance and deputising for the Chief Executive. Chairman of ALCO, Chairman of Operational Risk Management Group. Member of the Credit Committee, member of the Pension Committee. Secretary to the Remuneration and Nominations Committee.



Scottish Friendly

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Interim Finance Director

  • Oct 2015 - May 2016

  Glasgow, United Kingdom Life Assurance, pensions & investments. Assets under management £2.6bn.



Braveheart Investment Group plc

• Group CFO and Company Secretary

  • Jan 2012 - Apr 2015

  Perth, United Kingdom • Financial management and investor relations across the group. • Company Director for subsidiary fund management, business angel and corporate finance companies in the UK, Ireland, Monaco and Jersey. • Group Company Secretary and FCA “Controlled Function” role. • Fund management of £120m of investments (equity capital and debt finance). • Completed acquisition of fund management business and subsequent integration. • Completed successful corporate fund-raising round & negotiated… Show more • Financial management and investor relations across the group. • Company Director for subsidiary fund management, business angel and corporate finance companies in the UK, Ireland, Monaco and Jersey. • Group Company Secretary and FCA “Controlled Function” role. • Fund management of £120m of investments (equity capital and debt finance). • Completed acquisition of fund management business and subsequent integration. • Completed successful corporate fund-raising round & negotiated bank facilities. • Assisted with business start-up in Northern Ireland and Monaco. • Sold various equity stakes and businesses. • Provision of shared services for financial services and FCA compliance. • Set up pension scheme for one of the subsidiaries. • Monitoring investment performance, returns and exit plans. Show less



Munepene Limited

• Interim Chief Financial Officer

  • Mar 2011 - Jan 2012

  Developing the business plan and supporting financial models. Initiating, preparing and delivering funding proposals to potential investors



Hudson Global Resources

• CFO, UK, Ireland & Middle East

  • Oct 2007 - Jan 2011

  • Staffing & Recruitment business, NASDAQ listed. • Transformed the Finance function relocation from London to Glasgow achieving 30% reduction in headcount. • Streamlined reporting for multiple legal entities, reporting in UK GAAP, US GAAP & IFRS. • Redesigned the legal entity structure to ensure favourable and robust tax arrangements and improved cost efficiency and governance. • Established the European treasury shared service centre. • Facilitated reduction in corporate… Show more • Staffing & Recruitment business, NASDAQ listed. • Transformed the Finance function relocation from London to Glasgow achieving 30% reduction in headcount. • Streamlined reporting for multiple legal entities, reporting in UK GAAP, US GAAP & IFRS. • Redesigned the legal entity structure to ensure favourable and robust tax arrangements and improved cost efficiency and governance. • Established the European treasury shared service centre. • Facilitated reduction in corporate costs by a third in 2009. • Managed a major project to reduce debtor days by 29 days. • Improved control environment & ensured Sarbanes Oxley compliance by re-designing finance and operational processes. • Prepared business cases to secure approval for expansion plans. • Created new Front Office bonus/commission arrangements. Show less



Interactive University

• Chief Operating/Financial Officer (CFO/COO)

  • Aug 2006 - Aug 2007

  • Managed a multi-disciplinary team in India, China, Singapore and Dubai. • Advised the Board on financial/operational performance and legal matters. • Evaluated overseas territories and negotiated contracts with partners. • Represented Scottish Education internationally. • Negotiated with a complex international range of stakeholders. • Led initiatives to re-define the business model. • Managed the migration of IU activities to Scottish Universities.



Blas Limited

• Senior Executive (Corporate Finance)

  • Jun 2005 - Aug 2006

  • Advised clients on financial re-structuring, corporate governance, fundraising, acquisitions, and disposals; and coordinated relevant tax planning. • Involved in a variety of sectors including financial services, pharmaceutical, airline, manufacturing, health sector. • Business planning, financial modeling and FSA regulatory interface for Blas.



Stoddard International plc

• Finance Director & Company Secretary

  • Apr 2004 - Mar 2005

  • Advised the Board on financial strategy/performance and legal/tax matters. • Evaluated options for structural change including pre transaction deal preparation. • Secured funding and banking arrangements. • Led initiatives to re-define the business model. • Identified potential solutions for the company pension fund deficit. • Developed the functionality of the corporate ERP system. • Carried out the full range of duties as the Company Secretary



Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust

• Finance Director

  • Aug 2001 - Mar 2004

  • Integrated the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI into the Trust. • Advised on financial strategy, policy & performance matters (£450M budget) • Improved corporate governance arrangements to represent best practice. • Re-designed financial information to support decision making, planning & control • Developed effective relationships with a disparate range of stakeholders. • Worked with General Managers to engage their active support in reducing cost. • Restructured & refocused… Show more • Integrated the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PFI into the Trust. • Advised on financial strategy, policy & performance matters (£450M budget) • Improved corporate governance arrangements to represent best practice. • Re-designed financial information to support decision making, planning & control • Developed effective relationships with a disparate range of stakeholders. • Worked with General Managers to engage their active support in reducing cost. • Restructured & refocused the finance function (80 staff). • Initiated/delivered a transformation project for the management reporting function • Streamlined processes to cut cost and increase the efficiency of the organisation. Show less



Thus plc (Scottish Power Group)

• Head of Corporate Risk

  • Jul 2000 - Jul 2001

  • Implemented processes to manage risk without stifling growth or innovation. • Created an integrated corporate approach to risk management. • Established the audit/assurance functions & introduced a client-service focus. • Delivered an effective system of internal control, monitoring and reporting. • Chaired the Company Health and Safety Committee.



EY

• United Kingdom
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Manager

  • Mar 1996 - Jun 2000

  • Worked across a range of sectors including health, financial services, chemicals. • Designed the Ernst & Young global methodology for analysing processes, risk assessment and control evaluation (during a secondment to the US). • Secured the global outsource contract for a FTSE 100 company and worked with management to shape the framework for risk management. • Advised audit committees on new corporate governance requirements and implemented risk management frameworks. • Stabilised… Show more • Worked across a range of sectors including health, financial services, chemicals. • Designed the Ernst & Young global methodology for analysing processes, risk assessment and control evaluation (during a secondment to the US). • Secured the global outsource contract for a FTSE 100 company and worked with management to shape the framework for risk management. • Advised audit committees on new corporate governance requirements and implemented risk management frameworks. • Stabilised and streamlined the delivery of large outsource contracts. • Created and delivered training for client teams for larger engagements. Show less