Experience

Hunky Dory

• Croatia
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Financial Controller and Advisor

  • Nov 2022 - Present



Dorel Australia Pty Ltd

• Chief Financial Officer & Director

  • Jan 2012 - May 2018

  With the Canadian parent company set to buy out Dorel Australia’s 50% private ownership, I was engaged to transition the business’ financial and reporting capability to the requirements of a publicly-listed company. As the parent company assumed full ownership, I acted as the interim CEO for a period of 3 months, providing leadership to the 100-strong business during a period of change and ambiguity. With new leadership in place, I provided trusted commercial partnership, developing a 3-year growth plan and business model to drive a new phase in the organisation’s history. At its peak, I directed a team of +50, building capability and empowering teams to work hand-in-hand with business stakeholders to support an ambitious growth trajectory.• Transitioned Dorel from private to corporate ownership, meeting all publicly listed reporting standards;• In partnership with the CEO transformed Dorel from a trading house importing products into a brand-led business with robust financial capability, improving sales revenue, profitability and operating costs;• Controlled new product development costs following shift to brand-led strategy via cost tracking systems;• Led the opening of direct to consumer factory outlets to reduce obsolete stock, working closely with customers to alleviate concerns of competition;• Played a key role in driving 2x expansion across South East Asia, managing distribution agreements, internal credit systems, logistics and forex considerations.



Got One (Franchising) Pty Ltd

• Director & Owner

  • Jul 2002 - Nov 2011

  An entrepreneurial role, I built the Got One franchise business from the ground up, establishing the financial systems and operating frameworks that underpinned the expansion of the network across Australia. Leading all business planning, I defined the operating model and product strategy that enabled the business to scale both consistently and profitably. In addition to leading recruitment, training and ongoing management of franchisees, I also managed group marketing, negotiated retail leases and supplier contracts, and set financial benchmarking for stores.• Grew the Fishing Tackle franchise from zero to multimillion-dollar turnover, establishing a national footprint for the franchise across all Australian States and Territories;• Developed a store opening procedures manual and an operations manual, which supported by robust stock management systems, enabled the business model to scale;• Negotiated supplier agreements to source and import brand merchandise from China, raising the profile of the brand to penetrate the market;• Led the exit of the business negotiating divestment of all franchises.



Spotlight Retail Group (SRG)

• Australia
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Aug 1989 - Dec 2000

  Operating in a dynamic environment, I was appointed to provide financial and commercial leadership during the business’ next phase of growth, including the renegotiation of funding with major financial institutions. From here, I developed a 5-year strategy document, splitting ‘Retail’ and ‘Property’ into two distinct business units and associated opportunities to support the business owners in defining a new path forward. During this period, I held full responsibility for P&L and provided leadership to a cross-functional team of ~20 spanning accounting, payroll, legal, property, importing and IT.• Refinanced the business to obtain additional funds to expand the store network, demonstrating and pursuing growth opportunities in New Zealand and Asia, leading to the store network increasing by 85%;• Introduced new reporting and touch points to improve business partnership with senior leadership teams;• Diversified the business’ revenue streams through M&A activity and start-up investment opportunities, providing the initial seed funding for insurance comparison site i-Select;• Implemented an employee profit share plan, travelling to stores to explain the financials, set benchmarks and identify areas for improvement.