Lester Lombard
Director Of Business Development at Grind Sports Agency- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
English -
-
Afrikaans -
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
-
CIMA - Business Accountant (NQF5)
CIMAJan, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Xero Advisor Certified
XeroDec, 2019- Nov, 2024
Experience
-
Grind Sports Agency
-
United Kingdom
-
Spectator Sports
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Director Of Business Development
-
Feb 2019 - Present
“Whether you’ve got to prove it to the critics, the competition, or yourself, we believe having the fire to prove yourself is possibly the greatest fuel of a champion.”Grind Sports Agency is a unique start-up sports management company, specialising in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in Europe and Africa, with the head office located in the heart of London. We exist to build and transform clients’ careers, build brands and relationships that keep our clients ahead of the curve. “Whether you’ve got to prove it to the critics, the competition, or yourself, we believe having the fire to prove yourself is possibly the greatest fuel of a champion.”Grind Sports Agency is a unique start-up sports management company, specialising in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in Europe and Africa, with the head office located in the heart of London. We exist to build and transform clients’ careers, build brands and relationships that keep our clients ahead of the curve.
-
-
-
Grieve & Lombard (Pty) Ltd
-
South Africa
-
Accounting
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Director
-
Dec 2014 - Present
I recently set up and currently managing an accounting and tax practice in London (UK subsidiary) so as to enable the business to attract and retain clientele with dual business interests both in the United Kingdom and another commonwealth country, South Africa. I recently set up and currently managing an accounting and tax practice in London (UK subsidiary) so as to enable the business to attract and retain clientele with dual business interests both in the United Kingdom and another commonwealth country, South Africa.
-
-
-
-
Portfolio
-
Jul 2005 - Aug 2014
Held the following three positions simultaneously listed as Co-Partner (Dragon Power Brand), Director and member of an NGO (NPO)- Muaythai Against Drugs Foundation and General Secretary for a national sporting federation. First, I shall present a brief overview of the 9-year period in which I was a business partner and oversaw the operations and finances of several business entities/units of the Dragon Power Brand:Entertainment/Productions o Sold out international live Muaythai and MMA events, on average 6 events per yearo Reality TV show – ‘Way of the Warrior’ (nominee for best reality TV series in Africa)o Fundraising events to support our non-profit company and the sports federation, such as gala dinners, auctions, official ‘hand out of national colours’ to athletes representing their countryPremium Martial Arts & Fitness centre o Number 1 in Africa and one of the biggest martial arts & fitness centres in the worldo 27 instructors, over 1000 active clientso The home and founders of Muaythai in South Africao Combat and self-defence courses to the private and public sectoro Morning live TV fitness workout regimesSporting Equipment and apparelo Imported sporting equipment and sold to the South African marketo Designed, manufactured and sold our own apparel label
-
-
-
-
Co Partner
-
Jul 2005 - Jul 2014
I advanced from being General Manager to Co-Partner within 3 years. The business lacked the infrastructure needed for future financial stability and growth, and I dealt with such issues in the following manner: I developed a business strategy that entailed a restructuring of the business model and growth strategy. I implemented financial and management controls and my team and I carefully mapped the management accounts in accordance with the needs of various entities (commercial, non-profit organisation and sport’s federation) and their business units.This allowed for financial & budget planning, management reporting and making informed decisions.Furthermore, I managed the finance, project and performance management responsibilities.Based on my analysis of the reporting packets, I made informed decisions and/or presented business solutions in line with the business strategy to my business partners and associates.I adopted the ‘Total Quality Management’ philosophy by continuously improving business processes, the quality of the services and products offered. In addition, we integrated IT systems and digital/social media to allow for an improved customer experience and to enhance the brand image. The changes contributed to a significant increase in the turnover and net profit margin.
-
-
-
-
Director
-
Feb 2007 - Jun 2014
I devised and implemented the business model for the South African Chapter, which was used to define objectives and apply for support from the private and public sectors. For several years I played an active role in the community, providing youth and young adults from disadvantaged areas with a safe and controlled environment, an opportunity to stop the intake of drugs and alcohol through the medium of disciplines such as martial arts and drumming and taught value systems. I devised and implemented the business model for the South African Chapter, which was used to define objectives and apply for support from the private and public sectors. For several years I played an active role in the community, providing youth and young adults from disadvantaged areas with a safe and controlled environment, an opportunity to stop the intake of drugs and alcohol through the medium of disciplines such as martial arts and drumming and taught value systems.
-
-
-
-
Secretary General
-
Feb 2007 - Jun 2014
National Muaythai sporting body – amateur and professionalo Secretary-General for both the amateur and professional sporting bodieso Represented South Africa in official national colours as a coach for the Muaythai teamo Represented South Africa in official national colours as a manager for the Muaythai teamo Over 3000 members, across 8 provincesI compiled and implemented the national and provincial constitution for the Muaythai sporting body which was in line with the following constitutions - Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency, the government of South Africa and the World Sporting Body.I designed a financial and administrative system in each of the 8 provinces and head office, allowing each province to be self-sustaining and achieve provincial and national federations’ key objectives.Coordinated the activities of the Provincial Bureaus and the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Committee,Also managed the activities of the various Commissions and consulted the Commission Chairmen on major activities and key objectives. Represented the National Executive Committee at National and International Congresses and other major national and international events.
-
-
-
-
Financial Analyst to the Business planning and Reporting FC at UK & Ireland HQ
-
Nov 2004 - Apr 2005
I was part of a project team that successfully achieved the deadline for implementing and commissioning the Oracle Financial Analyser tool (OFA) for the UK and Ireland. We were the first team to have rolled out the system within Pfizer Inc. My role was to migrate the data, reconcile output, set parameters for the OFA tool and secure any errors. My focus was on the consolidation of the Profit & Loss statistical, corporation and demand statements on actual and budget data for financial year end 2003 and 2004 in dollar and local currencies. I was also part of the planning and daily operations team: I calculated and uploaded the 2005 budget and forecast and analysed discrepancies and variance on management reports.
-
-
-
-
Finance and Investment Analyst to the central reporting accountant at HQ
-
Dec 2003 - Aug 2004
This was the start of my journey to understand, develop and create complex excel formulas and formats and identify unrelated movements in the investments and engineering business units’ balance sheets. I extrapolated the data to Excel, designed a control system and produced separate review packs for the balance sheets and operational expense. I also assisted with daily, period and year end tasks, designed Key Performance Indicators and produced reports and charts on cost analysis, budgets, anticipated final cost (AFC), cost to go for investments and made contingency comparisons.
-
-
-
ECS Limited
-
United States
-
Civil Engineering
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Financial Controller Assistant
-
Oct 2003 - Dec 2003
I performed bookkeeping duties and gained UK finance business language and methodologies. I performed bookkeeping duties and gained UK finance business language and methodologies.
-
-
-
-
Finance Assistant
-
Sep 2000 - Apr 2003
I gained valuable experience and a true understanding of the foundations of bookkeeping services and payroll, including statutory requirements such as VAT returns and PAYE. I gained valuable experience and a true understanding of the foundations of bookkeeping services and payroll, including statutory requirements such as VAT returns and PAYE.
-
-
-
-
Sales Assistant, reported directly to the MD
-
Jul 1997 - Aug 2000
By demonstrating competence and integrity, I was able to gain the trust of and enjoyed a healthy relationship with local and international clients who were primary decision makers in the purchase of capital equipment for the food and processing industry. By demonstrating competence and integrity, I was able to gain the trust of and enjoyed a healthy relationship with local and international clients who were primary decision makers in the purchase of capital equipment for the food and processing industry.
-
-
Education
-
2017 - 2018
BPP University
Master’s Degree, Accounting and Finance -
2017 - 2019
ACCA
Professional Qualification - Expected March 2019, Chartered Certified Accountant -
2016 - 2017
BPP University
Advanced Diploma, Accounting and Finance [ACCA route] -
2015 - 2016
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Certificate in Business Accounting (NQF5), Accounting and Business/Management -
1996 - 1997
Cape College - School for business studies
certificate in commerce, Certificate in Commerce - Financial Management FM -
1994 - 1995
Cape College - School for business studies
High School, Small Business Management, Accounting, Economics and Legal, Computer Practice, Career Orientation -
1992 - 1993
Milnerton high
High School, 10
Community
