Experience

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  Pure Cloud Solutions

  • Tamworth

  • Group Finance Director

    • Sep 2018 - Present
    • Tamworth

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  GES - Global Experience Specialists

  • Coventry, United Kingdom

  • Financial Planning Consultant

    • Aug 2017 - Apr 2020
    • Coventry, United Kingdom

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  DayMen International Ltd

  • Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

  • European Financial Controller (Contractor)

    • Sep 2016 - Jun 2017
    • Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

    European Financial Controller covering business units in the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Poland. Management of finance colleagues across all locations. Assisting the business as it proceeds through a restructuring programme into a third party distribution model. Liaison at all levels with colleagues from the US parent, banks, tax advisors, and other stakeholders. Working with accountancy service provider to outsource finance support for the next financial year end Europe-wide. Ongoing redundancy programme has resulted in my role requiring an extremely hands-on approach as members of the finance team depart, covering all financial aspects including month end, forward forecasting of profit/loss and cash flow, treasury and payroll, etc.

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  N200 Limited / Blitz Communications Limited

  • Watford, United Kingdom

  • New acquisition system and process integration finance lead (Contractor)

    • Aug 2015 - Aug 2016
    • Watford, United Kingdom

    Delivery: Acted as the link between the parent and the new acquisitions in order to facilitate the smooth transition of both acquisitions into the core business. Both businesses successfully transitioned onto SAGE 1000 / key processes put in place to satisfy the reporting of key GES metrics and KPI’s / assessment and coaching of staff members to determine capabilities and to highlight those who would be likely to play key roles in the overall group strategy moving forward.Core Brief: To lead the financial integration of two new GES acquisitions into the core business, including finance systems, processes and coaching of staff as they integrated and adapted to different working practices.

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  Global Experience Specialists (GES)

  • Coventry, United Kingdom

  • International Finance Manager (Contractor)

    • Apr 2013 - Aug 2015
    • Coventry, United Kingdom

    Delivery: (1) Lead the process of setting up a new European branch in Amsterdam and a new Limited Liability Company in the free zone area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.(2) Identified and resolved Accounts Payable European VAT issue, resulting in repayment of input VAT either paid in error or under claimed, savings amounting to £150k.(3) Identified exchange rate issue relating to the European business, resulting in system changes that lead to savings to the business in the region of £250k, by eliminating excessive exchange losses and bank charges.(4) Prepared strategy paper advising on the $5m sale of the GES interest in the provision of venue services to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, by review of asset values, future expected earnings from the contract, and review of other opportunities in the Middle East to potentially replace the lost future earnings from the contract.(5) Negotiated and supported reduction in £2.8m HMRC underpaid VAT assessment, relating primarily to place of supply issues, to £500k + reduced penalties (saving of £2.3m). Liaised with HMRC inspectors and set up VAT training course for 40+ affected users to ensure that the issues were not repeated moving forward.Core Brief:(1) To manage all finance issues relating to the international business units, located in the Middle East, Germany, and Holland. Nine team members located in various countries.(2) To complete monthly management pack and reporting to the US parent in line with US GAAP.(3) To prepare and present budgets and business plans alongside the Operational Business Managers to drive revenues and profitability, in a business partnering relationship.(4) To drive process and operational efficiencies and continually challenge the status quo.(5) To work closely with overseas business partners and local legal representatives to resolve outstanding legal matters in relation to business structure and partnership agreements.

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  Melville Exhibition and Event Services Ltd

  • Coventry, United Kingdom

  • Middle East Finance Manager (Contractor)

    • Sep 2011 - Apr 2013
    • Coventry, United Kingdom

    Delivery: (1) The neglect of the Middle East financial records throughout 2010 and 2011 initially required an extremely hands-on approach to establish an accurate balance sheet position and to report profitability.(2) Revised 2012 forecast delivered and agreed to replace previous version which had little operational and management buy-in.(3) Provided direction to the Finance team & replaced manual tasks with system generated alternatives.(4) Built strong relationships with and gained the respect of Operational Business Heads who have struggled with the lack of financial support since inception of the operation.(5) Agreed 1.9m Dirham settlement with our UAE business partner over monies due and remaining unsettled for over 18 months prior to my appointment.Core Brief:(1) To manage and report to U.S. parent all financial aspects relating to the rapidly growing Middle East operation. Management of five staff members located in the Middle East and the UK.(2) To complete monthly management pack and reporting to the US parent in line with US GAAP.(3) To prepare and present budgets and business plans alongside the Business Unit Director.(4) The preparation and approval of capital requests and contract renewals alongside Operational Business Managers.

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  British Telecom

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Senior Project Accountant (Contractor)

    • Jan 2010 - Aug 2011
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Delivery: (1) Extensive use of Oracle accounting software alongside the Paris income management system to ensure cash receipts correctly allocated to customer accounts.(2) Implemented ‘Dunning’ process to assist with cash collection.(3) Recommended control improvements in all areas, specific weaknesses in cash collection/debtors management and purchase order authorisations.(4) Implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley contract specific controls and reporting progress made.(5) Developed relationship with Service Centre Managers necessary to understand their reporting needs and made recommendations to Finance to improve the quality of our output.(6) Assisted in implementing new process for Change Control from initial quote through to billing. Ongoing financial support provided to sales teams for specific ‘Change’ projects.Core Brief:(1) To assist with implementation and management of ongoing budget and forecast process.(2) To implement system and process improvements, specifically on Accounts Receivables module.(3) To identify control weaknesses and make necessary recommendations for improvement.(4) To provide support to sales teams in pricing and other financials relating to Change Control Projects.

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  ArcelorMittal

  • West Bromwich

  • Management Accountant (Contractor)

    • Jul 2008 - Dec 2008
    • West Bromwich

    Delivery: (1) Gained departmental approval of budgets whilst also coaching management on their responsibilities.(2) Implemented procedure for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.(3) Created new fixed asset register and worked through past and current data to populate and maintain, before training permanent staff for future maintenance.(4) Identified KPI’s necessary for senior and departmental management and created reports to highlight deviations, whilst using my previous SAP experience to assist in the new system implementation.Core Brief: (1) Implement budget and forecast models and manage the budget process.(2) Develop and audit the finance procedure under American legislation (Sarbanes-Oxley).(3) Create a fixed asset register, populate with data from 2 years previous, maintain and manage.(4) Assist with month end procedures whilst taking a key role in the implementation of SAP.(5) Identify KPI’s and create reports to highlight daily, weekly, and monthly achievements.

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  Birmingham City Council

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Business Transformation Manager (Contractor)

    • Jun 2005 - Sep 2007
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Delivery: (1) Identified numerous opportunities to drive out efficiencies and presented each to senior management by way of detailed report and verbal presentation.(2) Created business plans and set up project teams for those projects approved, including rationalisation of the organisations copy and printer hardware to be replaced by multifunctional devices (potential savings £3m+ p.a.), telecommunications review (potential savings £1m+ p.a.), review of overtime and shift allowances (potential savings £3m+ p.a.), and review and appraisal of subscriptions and publications utilised across the organisation (potential savings £0.5m p.a.).(3) Worked with PWC and other professional consultants to carry out business process reviews and priority based budgeting reviews to identify further saving opportunities.Core Brief: To identify both cashable and non-cashable efficiencies throughout the organisation, report and present findings to senior management for approval. Having gained authorisation, create business plan, appoint project manager and assist in the set up of a project team to realise efficiencies.

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  Eversheds LLP

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Group Finance Manager (Contractor)

    • Sep 2003 - Apr 2004
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Delivery: Supported the National Director of Finance by providing all reports required in my brief in a timely and accurate manner. Presented monthly reports to the management team, as well as the findings from various other projects as requested. Provided support in the implementation of Comshare, a new reporting and budgeting tool to be used across the organisation.Core Brief: To manage the central reporting team to ensure an adequate monthly reporting process, monthly and quarterly forecasting, and to complete the annual budgeting process.

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  Brandons PLC

  • Derby, United Kingdom

  • Group Financial Controller (Contractor)

    • Apr 2003 - Sep 2003
    • Derby, United Kingdom

    Delivery: Reported regularly as part of the senior management team to provide agricultural progress reports and further information to ensure that the company remained in a strong position for the busy Christmas period, whilst assisting the PWC team to ensure that potential buyers of the business were provided with timely and accurate information throughout the sale process.Core Brief: To manage the agricultural finance department and provide reporting and forecasting service to senior management and to Pricewaterhouse Coopers whilst the company went through a sale process.

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  Peer Information Ltd

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Group Financial Controller

    • May 2002 - Apr 2003
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Brief: (1) Manage the group and overseas finance teams to provide business units with timely and accurate information in order that the unit managers can make informed decisions in the management of their respective business units.(2) Coaching and advising managers throughout the business financially and commercially on their responsibilities for reporting and forecasting departmental performance, including identifying departmental KPI’s.(3) Preparation of annual budgets and quarterly reassessment of targets.(4) Investment proposal analysis for business unit managers.(5) Management of strategic finance issues as directed by the Group Finance Director.Delivery: (1) Gained the confidence of departmental managers to bridge the gap that existed between their business units and the finance department to ensure all worked towards common company goals.(2) Prepared and chaired monthly finance training sessions for all staff and management in the U.K., U.S., and India.(3) Supported the Directors in their attempts to sell the business and raise further financial assistance from the banks during a difficult period for the business, including hands on cash management and forecasting.

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  Keane Limited

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Business Performance Manager

    • Apr 2000 - May 2002
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Brief: (1) Prepare and manage the annual budget process and monthly forecasting of reassessed targets.(2) Review and analysis of business and financial trends and presentations to management to support business critical decisions.(3) Prepare various financial and non-financial studies including performance on client contracts, recommending quality improvement initiatives and assistance in sales proposal generation and financial costings.Delivery: (1) Gained advanced and super-user excel skills following on site training.(2) Gained the respect and trust of the Managing Director so that all proposals regarding the company or client contracts were to be vetted by myself before submission to the Managing Director.(3) Prepared financial advice for the reassessment of office space required across the company.(4) Worked extensively with the sales teams on project proposals and assisted in winning various significant new high value contracts.

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  Rolls Royce PLC

  • Derby, United Kingdom

  • Engineering Business Financial Controller

    • Sep 1997 - Apr 2000
    • Derby, United Kingdom

    Brief: (Apr'00) Engineering Business Financial Controller – Ensure that the financial performance of Aerospace Engineering was properly planned, monitored and controlled.Secondment to SAP Implementation Team – Tasked with testing the finance modules to ensure output was sufficient for business use, and training staff and management in its use.Corporate Internal Audit Manager – Managing internal audit projects and auditor recruitment.Secondment to Hyperion Implementation Team – Member of team tasked with tailoring the Hyperion product to fit Rolls Royce requirements, populating the data, and testing the output to match business requirements.(Sept'97) Senior Internal Auditor – Carry out internal audit assignments across numerous business units as required by senior management.Delivery: (1) Delivered monthly, quarterly, budget, and 5 year forecast reports to Aerospace management.(2) Gained valuable system implementation and tutoring experience as member of SAP and Hyperion implementation teams.(3) Delivered timely and accurate written and verbal reports to management as part of my internal audit brief.

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  Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Audit Team Leader

    • Jan 1996 - Sep 1997
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Brief: Team leader on audit assignments of various sizes in varying sectors, and to report to the management team and practice partner with responsibility for audit sign off. Delivery: Primarily audited the industrial/manufacturing sector, with major clients including National Grid, Pilkington PLC, Bristol Street Motors, and LDV Limited. Lead multi-site team on National Grid audit prior to joining Rolls Royce.

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  Hardeman Smith & Power

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Audit Senior

    • Dec 1987 - Jan 1996
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Brief: From audit junior to team leader on audit assignments of various sizes in varying sectors, and to report to the management team and practice partner with responsibility for audit sign off. Delivery: (1) Book-keeping, accounts preparation, auditing and tax computations for small to medium size businesses. Major client was Wilkinson Group.(2) Gained ACA and AAT qualifications.

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  Birmingham City Council

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Contracts Assistant

    • Jul 1987 - Dec 1987
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Assisted in the preparation on contracts for tendered Council services.

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  Collins Chapple & Co.

  • Birmingham, United Kingdom

  • Assistant Accountant

    • Jun 1986 - Jul 1987
    • Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Assisted in the preparation of small company accounts and administrative tasks.