Group Financial Systems Manager

• Oct 2018 - Present

Financial Reporting Manager

• Nov 2017 - Oct 2018

Temporary contracting role. Plumbing and Heating Investments Ltd (PHIL) is linked to Edmundson Electrical Group and is a company with a strong acquisition policy of buying small independent Plumbing Merchants around the UK and taking them in to the PHIL culture of Profit Centre profit share. Successfully managed the transfer of the Finance Department of an independent profitable company based in the South of England c. £60M revenue which had 34 Profit Centres (stores) up to the new Service Centre in Warrington. Supported very good young part qualified accountants in the team. Other duties included writing a Finance Manual, creating interface files to create a smoother more efficient way of transferring the acquired companies legacy financial system transactions in to the PHIL reporting system. Show less

Finance Manager

• Nov 2016 - Oct 2017

Lead accountant for company with overall Financial, Taxation and Treasury responsibility after the long-term Finance Director retired in March 2017, reporting to Managing Director and the German parent company Senata GmbH. Left role by way of redundancy. Lead accountant for company with overall Financial, Taxation and Treasury responsibility after the long-term Finance Director retired in March 2017, reporting to Managing Director and the German parent company Senata GmbH. Left role by way of redundancy.

Financial Controller UK Operations

• Feb 2010 - Oct 2016

In 2010 Excelsyn was acquired by Albany Molecular Research Inc. (NASDAQ quoted company) a US organisation which provides global contract research and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Overall responsibility for the Financial and Information Technology functions on site with reporting lines to the corporate head office in the US. With US ownership compliance with US GAAP and the Sarbanes Oxley Act is essential for reporting and internal controls. With the support of a large organisation revenue increased by more than 30% year on year in the last three years with continuing tight controls over the cost base resulted in better operating income year on year. During this time of substantial growth the headcount within the Finance function reduced as a result of better planning and initiatives introduced locally. Leadership in major contract negotiations for utilities and telecommunications with always the key emphasis of value for money, looking at cost reduction vs. added value. Effective communication to all employees for revenue and project updates through tables and graphs with little narrative to emphasise a point or trend. Show less

Financial Controller

• Nov 2005 - Feb 2010

Excelsyn Molecular Development Ltd - Pharmaceutical services company, providing a broad range of cost-effective process chemistry solutions from lab to plant scale to the pharmaceutical industry. Joined Excelsyn, a privately owned company in the early days the exiting challenge was being a leading part in the very ambitious growth plans for this SME. Responsible for financial reporting and control, budgeting, cashflow, credit control, financial analysis and treasury. Heavily involved in a number of successful due diligence audits to source new capital and working capital funding to back up our sales and growth strategy. New external investors provided Excelsyn with resource and experience to help it achieve its growth ambitions. By 2009, the business had delivered an annual turnover of £12 million and EBITDA of £2 million. Looking at finding quicker and more efficient tasks/procedures to generate accurate and timely information and report in a clear and succinct manner across all levels of the organisation. Show less

Group Financial Controller

• Apr 2003 - Nov 2005

Strix Ltd - Manufacturer of kettle controls, thermostats and water boiling elements for domestic appliances Group Accountant overseeing the Group accounts and Treasury. Responsible for the overall accounting function of the main site on the Isle of Man and the Group accounts, reporting to the Finance Director. Strix had a number of sites around the world including China, Hong Kong and Belgium and my team ensured the accounting information from all sites was accurate and delivered on a timely basis. A key part of the role was the two way communication with the main manufacturing site based in China to ensure all the financial information was accurate and timely to under pin the company's strategic focus. Group Treasury was a key role ensuring the right investment decisions were made. Leading an efficient team of seven on the island, supported by a smaller Finance department in China. Show less

Financial Accountant

• Aug 1995 - Apr 2003

Beaufort Air Sea Equipment Ltd - Manufacturing company in the Air and Sea survival equipment industry Site Accountant with overall responsibility for the Financial and Information Technology operations. The key focus was to ensure increasing profit targets were met through the implementation of cost and pricing initiatives which could only have worked by motivating and supporting staff in all the departments in the organisation. The role required the supervision of six staff. Show less

Group Financial Controller

• Oct 1994 - Aug 1995

JH Austin Group Limited - A small Group of three companies, the two trading companies were an industrial filter distributor and a provider of exhibition units for clients such as Nissan, Honda etc A new challenge was required and a move away from reviewing audit files, the aim was to be part of a successful management team within industry. Left Ernst & Young and went to an audit client, JH Austin Ltd, with a strong recommendation from the audit partner. Responsible for all aspects of the Finance function from the day to day supervision of two staff to the generation of the monthly management accounts, treasury, financial audit, liaison with the bank and other external investors. Show less

Audit Senior

• Sep 1987 - Oct 1994

After gaining a distinction in his HND Business Studies in 1987 I applied for jobs in the Finance Sector. After the first round of interviews I left an impression with Arthur Young (before becoming part of Ernst & Young) HR Department with my enthusiasm and commitment and was the first non-graduate to be offered an accountant trainee position with the Arthur Young organisation in Manchester. Arthur Young sponsored me to study the Association of Certified Accountants exam route. I spent the majority of my time in the Entrepreneurial Business Department where I received a solid foundation in management accounts preparation, internal controls, business plans and grant applications all the way up to being an Audit Senior on SME financial audits. Show less