Craig Anderson

Dynamic Finance leader with over 20 years expertise in media finance, specializing in Financial Planning and Analysis, budgeting and revenue management. Spearheaded forecasting efforts and optimized resource allocation, delivering actionable insights that drive strategic decision making. Proven track record in leading teams, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with finance controls. Passionate about leveraging analytical skills to contribute organisational growth.

Finance Director – FP&A - The Walt Disney Company (UK) Ltd

(2020-03 - 2026-05)

In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) acquired 21CF, FNG, FX and Nat Geo. Continued in participations and residual's role while transitioning into the Disney organisation. In March 2020 TUPE'd to TWDC (UK) Ltd and in September 2021 transitioned participations and residuals work to dedicated teams at Disney, becoming Nat Geo's Content and Marketing business partner and more recently, in October 2025 adding the NG Magazine marketing and editorial forecasts to remit.

• Lead Finance Business Partner in charge of budgeting, Forecast and tracking marketing spend for content across Consumer Media spend, Creative, Social and PR & Communications on Linear Networks, Disney+ and Hulu.
• Lead Finance Business Partner in charge of budgeting, Forecast and tracking spend for Editorial, track content spend for NG Magazine and NG's social network platforms.
• Work with Controllership to track spend on an asset by asset basis.
• Review actuals, provide variance analysis and present to Executives across the Marketing and Editorial teams as well as at D+ and Hulu to identify areas for cost cutting and improvements.
• Manage all quarterly accruals.
• Management of 1 direct report and 1 analyst

Finance Director – P&R - Fox Networks Group (UK) Ltd

(2018-07 - 2020-03)

In July 2018 moved internally from FIC CS back to Nat Geo Channels (hired through FNG) to became Finance Director for participations and residuals (P&R).

• Be key finance liaison for Nat Geo Channels business with FIC Content Sales team
• Record and manage all intercompany content sales revenue reported.
• Manage all Intercompany and 3rd party Participation and Residual liability's.
• Manage team of 2 to produce quarterly and semi annual participation and royalty statements.
• Create Ultimate's and Asset P&L's for Nat Geo's high cost shows/asset audiences

Senior Finance Manager – FP&A - Fox International Channels (UK) Ltd (FIC Content Sales)

(2014-09 - 2018-06)

In September 2014, NGC Content Sales became FIC Content sales merging Sales of assets owned by both FIC and NGC. Relinquished more of the transactional finance responsibilities in order to focus more on Budgeting, Financial Planning and Analysis.

• Provide Business partnering models for Sales strategy (ie. long term LoS sales agreements to Key SVOD partners).
• Continuing to provide commercial strategy and other financial advice to Senior Management.
• Redesigned Budget and Forecast model for Global Business.
• Management of team of 3 with oversight of budgeting process for FIC and NGC.
• Quarterly reforecasting for both FIC and NGC.
• Monthly flash and other Management reporting on separate and combined NGC/FIC Content Sales businesses.
• Revenue review, analysis and reporting.
• Variance analysis and explanation.
• External Producer and Key Stakeholder reporting including Asset Business plans and revenue ultimate's where needed.
• Ensuring that all financial controls for the division are always met and adhered to.
• Collaborated on New Legal Entity set up and structure as well as financial systems implementation for General Ledger and Sales Sub Ledger

Senior Finance Manager - National Geographic Channels Europe Ltd

(2011-10 - 2014-08)

In October 2011 NGTI Ltd was purchased by NGC to combine programming catalogues and their respective sales businesses. Kept on in capacity as Finance Manager and in June 2013 was promoted to Senior Finance Manager.

• Successfully managed team in Revenue recognition, billing and credit control process.
• Providing accurate financial reporting and other information to colleagues and senior management.
• Identifying areas for cost cutting and improvement.
• Ensuring that all financial controls for the division are met and adhered to at all times.
• Giving advice, guidance, strategy and support on all financial matter to the company directors.
• Successfully hired a royalty accountant and implemented processes for royalty/participation reporting.

Finance Manager - National Geographic Television International Ltd (NGTI)

(2004-09 - 2011-10)

In October 2003 Explore international became NGTI Ltd and moved finance team to Washington DC. NGTI employed on a permanent basis as a Finance Co-ordinator to be an on the ground point of contact for Finance with Sales Team. Throughout time at NGTI Ltd promoted twice, up to Finance Manager in Nov 2009 and managed a small team, reporting to the Controller at head office.

• Manage 1 direct report in billing and cash entry and other data entry into systems.
• Advise Sales team on payment schedules and other financial matters such as international tax implications.
• Revenue review, analysis and reporting
• Manage cash reconciliations.
• Contract Data entry QC for financial accuracy.
• Managed the full revenue recognition process.
• Liaise with Sales team on quarterly results.
• Process cash receipts and apply against AR balances and reconcile clearing accounts.
• Process AP invoices through systems for approval.
• Produce and send all invoices to clients.
• Liaise with Sales team on credit balances to be managed
• Process cash receipts and apply against AR balances.

Rights Management Consultant - TES Solutions Ltd

(2003-02 - 2004-09)

Providing consultancy to TES Solutions helping to implement rights management software solutions at Explore International Ltd. Helped implement the software by managing both uploads and data entry.

• Sales Contract entry management.
• Billing process creation.
• Cash application
• Reconciliation of AR balances to SUN Systems balances

IT Consultant - KMC Ltd

(1999-09 - 2002-08)

Spent 1 year getting to know the IT industry by working in the IT recruitment dept. After initial year promoted to IT consultant and for 18 months helped to successfully implement Jaguar rights management software at HIT Entertainment Ltd. Once the project was complete, worked in head office offering telephone support before the company went into administration.

Various Temp Roles - Various

(2002-08 - 2003-02)

AAT - Accounting Technician - BPP (2010 - 2011)

A Levels - Maths and Physics - Northwood School (1997 - 1999)

GCSE's - English Lit, English Lang, Double Science, Maths, Geography, French, German - Northwood School (1994 - 1997)