Experience

Bitesize Consulting

• United Kingdom
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  We help the best FMCG, hospitality, leisure and F&B businesses with:* Finance & strategy* Accounting & operational systems* Sustainability & sourcing Working alongside dynamic leaders and operators, we are passionate about growing businesses whilst maintaining the highest possible standards of ethics and sustainability. Recent work includes: - Kombucha Kat: Equity fundraise for independent soft drink brand. Preparation of full forecast pack, attendance at investor pitch meetings. Secured investment from former PepsiCo CEO.- The Cultured Collective: Ongoing project work to provide bookkeeping, systems & accounting support for independent producer of ferments (kimchi, sauerkraut).- Crumbs & Doilies: Reporting advice, P&L rebuild & ongoing accounts support for successful bakery & Soho shop run by YouTube star 'Cupcake Jemma'. - Pirate’s Grog: Preparation of 4-year forecast pack for award-winning boutique rum brand. Advice & guidance on investor meetings & pitch deck.- Only Jerkin': Ongoing accounts & reporting support for multi-site street food operator.- The Vurger Co: Stock management system build for vegan burger group.- Vita Mojo: Coaching for Finance Director of multi-site, tech-based healthy take away restaurant.Client sectors:* FMCG * Restaurants* Pubs & bars* Street food & delivery* Events companies & promoters



Deliciously Ella

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group Finance Director & Managing Director (Delis)

  • Mar 2016 - Apr 2018

  SENIOR MANAGEMENT FOR WORLD-RENOWNED FMCG & HOSPITALITY BUSINESS- Member of founding management board, assisted with building senior FMCG products team- Successfully led multiple fundraising initiatives- Designed & implemented end-to-end accounting & finance systems for FMCG & hospitality divisions- Oversight of financial reporting, cashflow management, payroll, invoice finance & supplier relationships- Responsible for site selection, project managing refurbs & overseeing new openings- Led the focus on sustainability to ensure that the business was as kind to the planet as possible - Relocated to deli division mid-2017, recruited & trained new senior finance team- Responsible for operations, HR & strategy for multi-site deli business, overseeing team of 60+ staff- Sourcing, design & set up of deli production kitchen- Achieved significant improvements over 4-month period following relocation to deli division:* Increased overall monthly revenue by 26% * Gross profit improvement of 5%* Achieved labour cost reductions whilst improving staff morale & retention* Reversed losses, turning business into profit-making division at operating contribution level



Deliverance

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Finance

  • Sep 2015 - Mar 2016

  Part-time role as Acting Head of Finance at Deliverance, a full-stack food delivery business. Managing a team of five finance personnel, assisting with strategic guidance and modelling scenarios for a new business roll-out. Liaising with Managing Director, executive team and investors to develop a new, hi-tech food-focused delivery brand using existing assets & infrastructure. Part-time role as Acting Head of Finance at Deliverance, a full-stack food delivery business. Managing a team of five finance personnel, assisting with strategic guidance and modelling scenarios for a new business roll-out. Liaising with Managing Director, executive team and investors to develop a new, hi-tech food-focused delivery brand using existing assets & infrastructure.

• Director

  • May 2015 - Mar 2016

  FREELANCE FINANCE, ACCOUNTING & SYSTEMS CONSULTANT FOR HOSPITALITY BUSINESSESClients include:- Forza Win (Seasonal pop-up dining, now operating a fixed site in Peckham):Acting Finance Director, implementing cloud systems for book-keeping, payroll & invoice/expense management. Set-up of stock-take, cash up & GP systems, associated staff training. Strategic planning & development of ideas for expansion to further sites.- Tom Hunt (eco-chef, Guardian contributor, Director Poco restaurant):Acting Finance Director for multiple operations, including Dalston Roof Park pop-up, wedding/event catering, festival catering and book-writing businesses.- The Mae Deli (healthy food deli by award-winning blogger 'Deliciously Ella')Acting Finance Director, giving advice on opening of first deli outlet in Marylebone. Development of strategy, business plan & forecasts. Design & implementation of operational systems (EPOS, GPs, stocktakes, cash up) and associated staff training.- Chick 'n' Sours (Carl Clarke's Dalston chicken shop & cocktail joint):Short-term project to set up robust cash-up, stock control & Tronc systems for new opening.- Kansas Smittys (late night jazz bar in Broadway Market):Assistance with new bar opening, setting up and monitoring financial and stock control systems, advising on other operational & financial areas (e.g. EPOS selection, book-keeping).- Deliverance (Freshly-cooked home delivery service):Project to improve processes within a 6-strong finance team over several months, with the aim of delivering significant efficiency gains. Managing the implementation of a new payroll system.- Poco Restaurant (award-winning Bristol & London-based ethical restaurant):On-going advice regarding new site acquisition, business planning & book-keeping procedures.



CTB Accounts

• Business Consulting and Services

• Director

  • Feb 2013 - Apr 2015

  SPECIALISED CONSULTANCY PROVIDING ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES TO RESTAURANT INDUSTRY - Responsible for entire service provided to clients, acquiring new clients and overall Company strategy- Initiated & managed the implementation of new systems & procedures, gaining significant efficiencies- Managed teams carrying out accounting services for clients:- Monthly & year-end accounts preparation- Cash flow forecasting & management- Purchase ledger management, supplier payments & liaison- Designed & built new integrated systems for restaurant clients, such as:- Cashing up procedures- Weekly dashboard reports- Management accounting & reporting packs- Food stock control & GP reporting systems- Payroll, hours & Tronc recording - Clients included Vinoteca, The Modern Pantry, Bob Bob Ricard, Riding House Café, China Tang, Granger & Co, Dalston Superstore & Voodoo Ray's.



The Hideaway Bar

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality

• Owner

  • Feb 2007 - Dec 2013

  OWNER OF POPULAR NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT & BAR- Converted an empty commercial unit into thriving local venue, building the business from scratch.- Developed F&B offer of homemade stone-baked pizzas, cocktails, eclectic beer selection & quality wines.- Oversaw the following areas:* Food & beverage operations* Accounts, payroll, budgeting & cashflow* HR, recruitment & training* Commercial decisions & supplier negotiation* Strategy, branding, marketing, social media* Venue/event sponsorship & marketing* Live music & events programming* Licensing, planning & legal issues* Project planning & implementationIn December 2013 the lease & business was successfully sold to a new owner.



The Silver Bullet, London

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality

• Owner

  • May 2010 - Jul 2013

  OWNER OF LATE-NIGHT BAR/LIVE MUSIC VENUE- Launched a second new venue after refurbishing and remodelling the layout of a run-down pub.- Increased revenues by 300%, transforming the space into one of London's most vibrant small venues.Sold my share of the company to business partner, who then sold the venue to Goodman Restaurants. OWNER OF LATE-NIGHT BAR/LIVE MUSIC VENUE- Launched a second new venue after refurbishing and remodelling the layout of a run-down pub.- Increased revenues by 300%, transforming the space into one of London's most vibrant small venues.Sold my share of the company to business partner, who then sold the venue to Goodman Restaurants.



Realpubs Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Area Manager

  • May 2004 - Sep 2006

  AREA MANAGER FOR PUB & RESTAURANT GROUP WITH ANNUAL TURNOVER OF >£4M- Responsibilities included cash & stock control, service standards, training & recruitment, as well as stock control at three of the company’s pubs.- Implemented & managed a new in-house payroll system across the whole estate.- In 2011, Real Pubs had 14 outlets and was sold to Greene King for £53m. AREA MANAGER FOR PUB & RESTAURANT GROUP WITH ANNUAL TURNOVER OF >£4M- Responsibilities included cash & stock control, service standards, training & recruitment, as well as stock control at three of the company’s pubs.- Implemented & managed a new in-house payroll system across the whole estate.- In 2011, Real Pubs had 14 outlets and was sold to Greene King for £53m.



Deloitte

• Business Consulting and Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Audit Manager

  • Dec 2000 - Dec 2003

  MANAGING TEAMS ON FINANCIAL AUDITS OF FTSE-500 AND OTHER LARGE COMPANIES- Responsible for providing assurance over clients’ year-end accounts, reviewing and advising on internal control procedures and ensuring compliance with statutory regulations.- Detailed analysis of large volumes of complex data, reporting to senior partners & client management.- Worked with a variety of clients in the Leisure, Hospitality & Energy sectors- First time passes in all ACA examinations. MANAGING TEAMS ON FINANCIAL AUDITS OF FTSE-500 AND OTHER LARGE COMPANIES- Responsible for providing assurance over clients’ year-end accounts, reviewing and advising on internal control procedures and ensuring compliance with statutory regulations.- Detailed analysis of large volumes of complex data, reporting to senior partners & client management.- Worked with a variety of clients in the Leisure, Hospitality & Energy sectors- First time passes in all ACA examinations.