Experience

• 

  The University of Auckland

  • New Zealand
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Research and Trust Accounting Manager

    • Apr 2021 - Present

    CFO for the University of Auckland Foundation and the University of Auckland Medical & Health Sciences Foundation, and Finance Manager for externally funded research accounting for the University of Auckland. The Foundation group manages assets circa $400m, and external research income in excess of $200m. Member of both Foundation boards and investment committee, secretary for the Foundation audit & risk committee, and support advisory boards for external projects that collaborate across the University sector hosted by the University of Auckland. Manage a team of 11 who predominately support the researcher community in the University.

  • Trust Accounting Services Manager

    • Jul 2019 - Apr 2021

    Finance Manager for The University of Auckland Foundation Group and public good funding for CORE’s (Centre of Research Excellence)/National Science Challenges. The Foundations collectively hold $320m of assets, and public research funding is close to $100m annually. Manager of nine direct reports. Significantly contributed to the reset of financial accounting and processes for the Foundations, and established the operating rhythm to record and ensure financial discipline for CoRE funding that started in 2021.

• 

  Cordt Limited

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Consultant and Director

    • Dec 2018 - Apr 2021
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    Primarily focused on ad hoc short term consulting contracts. Achievements include financial and tax compliance improvement for a lawyer, implementing a stronger reporting framework for a charity, and completing a due diligence then start up a new business trading with India.

• 

  Z Energy NZ

  • New Zealand
  • Oil and Gas
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Performance Manager - Retail

    • Sep 2016 - Nov 2018

    Member of the retail leadership team and Z’s senior leadership group, finance lead covering three brands (Z, Caltex, Foodstuffs) focusing on performance, capital risk and technology; prepared monthly reporting outputs, regular forecast updates, and annual planning. I elevated performance discussions in retail, improved integrity of performance reports, and reduced credit risk exposure for Z via improved documentation, process development, and engagement with the right people.

  • Finance Manager

    • Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

    Member of the business services leadership team and Z’s senior leadership group, finance SME for integration of Z and Caltex

• 

  Coastal Oil Logistics Ltd

  • Auckland, New Zealand

  • Director

    • Oct 2011 - Nov 2018
    • Auckland, New Zealand

    Chair of audit & remuneration committee 2017, Chair of HSSE committee 2018

• 

  Chevron

  • United States
  • Oil and Gas
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Finance Manager & Director - New Zealand & Australia

    • Sep 2011 - May 2016

    Country CFO for downstream NZ and Australia, responsible for financial oversight in downstream operations including payroll, accounts payable, tax, statutory reporting, Chevron compliance, internal management reporting, credit management; I was a member of the country leadership committee for Chevron New Zealand, and Talcor Pty Ltd; I managed eight direct reports, one direct report was based in Brisbane; I managed the relationship with an offshore shared services provider where forty plus individuals supported the New Zealand business; I was a director for Chevron Downstream entities in New Zealand and Australia (except listed entities), and trustee for the Staff Pension Plan. I significantly improved governance awareness and processes during this time, improved capability, improved processes and systems, while reducing headcount and strengthening business continuity for two countries. I had a significant involvement in the Chevron downstream divestment to Z Energy in 2016, especially during the initial negotiation period and wind up of the staff pension plan.

  • Compliance & Internal Controls Manager

    • Mar 2009 - Aug 2011

    The role managed Chevron New Zealand’s US compliance especially foreign corrupt practices act (FCPA), data privacy and sarbanes-oxley (SOX); I was the data privacy coordinator for asia pacific downstream finance, I managed a team of three direct reports, and chaired the NZ audit committee. Most of my time was spent working with an Australian subsidiary to improve the control environment (reconciliations, segregation of duties), and improve financial reporting to stakeholders - this required making people changes, system changes, and work with them to operate more efficiently and effectively.

  • Projects Manager

    • Dec 2007 - Feb 2009

    Two main projects completed in this time - (1) a SAP upgrade into New Zealand where I led the general ledger migration for NZ and provided training to the NZ reporting team, (2) the finance function was migrated to Auckland from Wellington that involved recruitment and training of a new merged finance team covering financial reporting, tax, and payroll. Both projects ran concurrently.

  • Company Accountant, Star Service Stations Limited

    • Aug 2006 - Nov 2007

    Responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and management reporting, for Chevron New Zealand's company owned company operated retail sites in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington, that employed over 500 persons at its peak. My role had eight direct reports. I initiated discussions that led to the migration of transactional processes to Manila, that provided a cost benefit and improved business continuity.

  • Tax, Treasury, and Management Reporting

    • Feb 2001 - Jul 2006

    Completed two roles that merged over time. In this period I was responsible for tax compliance, treasury accounting, cash management, risk management for foreign exchange and interest rates, commercial paper issuance, and management reporting to Chevron's regional hub in Singapore.

• 

  Housing New Zealand Corporation

  • Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

  • Tax & Treasury

    • Jan 1998 - Jan 2001
    • Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand

    Responsibilities include tax compliance, treasury accounting, and cash management for Housing New Zealand Limited (predecessor to HNZC)