Benjamin Middleton-Gaish

For the last 7 years, I have been employed at an SME having joined the company as Office Administrator in 2016 with apromotion to Business Coordinator in 2018. I was promoted to Business Manager in 2019 to reflect my growingresponsibilities and involvement in the strategic growth of the company. In 2020 I also joined the Senior Management Teamas part of a planned restructuring to allow stronger oversight of the company operations and heavier involvement in thestrategic direction of the company.

I was promoted to Business & Finance Manager in 2022 to reflect my growinginvolvement with the financial direction of the organisation.

During my time at GB Card & Partners, I have approached every opportunity for professional development with enthusiasmand have demonstrated flexibility to meet the needs of the business. I believe my career history is demonstrative of mystrong work ethic, adaptability, enthusiasm for learning new skills, and my commitment to continual improvement.

Business & Finance Manager, GB Card & Partners Ltd

My role as Business & Finance Manager encompassed a broad range of business operations administration and, whilst not exhaustive, the following areas surmise -

Finance

• Advisor account in Xero managing sales and purchase ledger. Processing all sales invoices from the internal project management system through Xero. Credit control and debt recovery for sales ledger of £100K+ monthly invoicing.

Invoice

Discounting through RBS utilising facflow system including submission of monthly reconciliation reports. Managing purchase approvals via line management and reconciliation of all bank accounts. Managing and raising payments via Bankline in line with cashflow requirements. Preparation of entries for VAT returns as well as end-of-year input such as Fixed Assets. Managing R&D claims and assisting in supporting paperwork. Managing expenses through Dext company-wide including reporting for P11Ds.

Health and Safety

• Developing processes and forming policies company-wide. Undertaking risk assessments and implementing controls in response. Continual monitoring and auditing of training including setting training programs. Managing certifications under SMAS and CQMS through yearly submissions to auditors.

Responsibilities of fire marshal and emergency first aider. ROSPA-approved training undertaken via RMworks system (provided by Griffiths & Armour).

Human Resources & Business

• Producing contract documents and offer letters. Leave, sickness and absence management. Producing policies and procedures. Managing internal HR matters including performance reviews and joiner/leaver processes. Producing business plan, KPI management and projecting operational performance. Managing training requirements in line with growth goals and efficiency targets.

IT

• First-line support company-wide. Management of corporate devices and users through Microsoft endpoint manager/AzureAD. Managing software procurement and licensing. Providing advice and guidance on DPA/GDPR compliance.

Quality Assurance & Environmental

• Implementing processes, procedures and policies company-wide across all aspects of the business. The company gained ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications in 2020 following the implementation of measures. Undertaking audits and reporting of company outputs including calculations of efficiency and productivity.

Marketing

• Managing the company website through WordPress, producing blog content, automatons and tie-ins with social media through dlvit, email newsletter, branding and producing template design.

Additional - The need arose for the company to have capability in producing technical drawings; I took the opportunity to undertake tuition in order that I become the de facto AutoCAD technician for the company. I have had continual involvement over the years in producing drawings such as location plans for site works.

BA (Hons) Fine Art, Critical and Curatorial Practices (1st),

Plymouth College of Art

My degree was undertaken at an independent art college where I specialised in curatorial practices for the final year. I wrote my dissertation on art practice and curatorial practice in the digital age. My final year project culminated in curating a collaborative exhibition of 6 artists at a local well-renowned gallery.