Global Head of Working Capital

• Dec 2022 - Present

Head of Credit Management

• Jan 2020 - Dec 2022

Head of Credit Management

Head of Credit Control

• May 2017 - May 2019

(Two year contract successfully completed - and now concluded)Sole responsibility to deliver on the proposals set out in my Consultancy report.Involved the closing of the function in London after collective consultations with Unite, relocating to Leeds, and managing the team of nine thereafter. Project was delivered on time and under budget despite a greatly increased scopeKey achievements• Increased quality while reducing costs by 40%• Implementation of transparent reporting• Created performance measures together with the introduction of remuneration based targets• Took control of and improved ad hoc invoicing, credits and refunds• Increased pro-activity (DSO reduced from 52 to 30)• Increased harmonisation and optimised business processes• Built billing and credit matrix/policy and managed what is now known as the O2C process in conjunction with Sales and Master Data• Centralised International collections – freeing up opportunities in regional offices• Delivered LEAN efficiencies to increase collections – reducing distractions from core activity• Introduced a culture of continual improvement• Improved the Customer Experience (internal and external)• Reduction of the UK provision from £1.074m to £0.007m within eight months, International provision from £2.060m to £0.094m within a year• Improved cash allocation accuracy – incorporating bank recs - Month end cash allocation lead time reduced from 2.5 days to less than one day

Credit Manager Consultancy Project

• Feb 2017 - May 2017

Produced a forensic review of the existing processes and practices for managing UK customers and made recommendations for improving cost-effectiveness and debt collection performance.This review also covered the performance of International collections carried out in regional offices across the globe and made recommendations surrounding their standardisation and centralisation.

Business Intelligence Credit Manager

• Apr 2013 - Dec 2016

Providing leadership, motivation, and strategic direction to a team of 15 collection staff within one of the world’s leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events businesses. Extensive use of pro-active collection methods, in-depth analysis, and 100% transparent reporting to revolutionise a previously failing department.Key achievements• Reduced 30+ Debt from £12.8m to less that £1m • Reduced the provision held from £4.25m to just £7k (Natural reduction in headcount of 50% over the same period)• Tested the status quo and delivered more efficient ways of working• Defining, implementing and monitoring policies / processes for collections and reporting.• Contributing towards the formulation of departmental strategy, budgets, policies and procedures.• Wrote pay and bonus structures• Preparing monthly reports and presentations for the CEO and MD.• Excellent Business Partner relationships• Instigated an education policy that ensured all staff became professionally (ICM) qualified.• Changed a failing team into one that was respected for their efficiency and ability, becoming an important part of the ongoing success of the business – winning a number of company awards in the process• Upskilled each member of the team to develop the human resource

Credit Manager Consultancy Project

• Aug 2012 - Apr 2013

Introduction of collections and targeting systems in a customer service based environment. Merged teams to achieve dramatically improved collections. Introduced and implemented new reporting processes throughout the business. Delivered short-term cash hump for Year End, and maintained that collections improvement through to the end of the tax year.

Group Credit Manager

• Jun 2009 - Jun 2012

Leading a team of 20 collection staff within one of the world’s leading online media companies; harnessing proven success, driving improvements to credit risk management and operating procedures while cultivating strategic alliances at all levels: • Defining, implementing and monitoring policies / processes for credit appraisal, reporting, and collection. • Mitigating against credit risks by supporting the implementation of control mechanisms for credit disbursal. • Contributing towards the formulation of departmental strategy, business plans, budgets, policies and procedures. • Preparing monthly reports and presentations for the CEO and MD. Key achievements • Significantly reduced company expenditure having relocated entire department out of London. • Improved business cash flow by increasing cash collections by 45% in the first year. • Reduced held provision by 66% and aged debt by 93% while reducing debtor days from 104 to 49 • Successfully devised and implemented new credit control management system and sales invoicing systems. • Completed month-end reporting requirements, with analysis and commentary outlining the cash flow/debtor positions. • Played an integral role supporting change management, business acquisitions and associated due diligence. • Built billing and credit matrix/policy and managed what is now known as the O2C process in conjunction with Sales • Established a team that is well respected for their efficiency and contributions to the on-going success of the business. • Facilitated consistently successful audits through the establishment and development of internal systems of reporting cash, potential provisions, error metrics, collection targets, month-end management reports, aged debt analysis. • Reduced headcount and improved talent retention through effective engagement and motivation.

Group Head of Credit and Legal

• Feb 2003 - Sep 2008

Provided leadership, motivation and strategic direction to a team of collection staff for this world-leading provider of premium global business information; coordinating the collection activities of 20+ separate operating companies with 10,000 UK and global accounts, alongside the management of month-end reporting with analysis and commentary to the Board outlining cash flow and debtor positions. Key achievements • Led an ever-changing programme of debt collection. • Championed the on-going introduction of new systems and working practices, conducive to service excellence. • Implemented new credit control management and sales invoicing systems. • Initiated special payment agreements for customers in arrears following negotiation with client and support from internal sales and publishing management team; ensuring monies paid and business relationships retained. • Significantly reduced company expenditure having relocated entire department to increase company attractiveness for sale. • Managed the New York office from London, ensuring all company codes of practice were universally adhered to • Increased cash collections from £37m to £115m per annum in 5 years while concurrently reducing headcount. • Established a team respected for their efficiency and contribution to the ongoing success of the business. • Pioneered and implemented staff performance management programmes, including pay structures and a bonus system linked to targets. • Centralised worldwide collection teams to one single London team. • Established strategy for recovering targeted percentages of credit month-on-month. • Helped to establish billing process from scratch. Billed entire company Sales using just two members of staff. • Project managed the seamless and successful relocation of a department from London to Hull, including all associated recruitment and training of new team. • Played important role in the company’s subsequent sale for £600m following their acquisition by Informa in 2007.