Damian McGuire

A chartered accountant, with over 30 years post qualification experience, across both private and public sector organisations of varying sizes, between £2m and £70m turnover. Experienced in leading finance teams and delivering improvements to each organisation and in managing growth.

WORK EXPERIENCE

May 2017 to current – The Challenge Academy Trust, Warrington – Director of Finance

• A multi academy trust of 6 primary and 7 secondary schools and a sixth form college.
• Responsible for the management of the finance function of the trust - £70m funding
• Preparation of annual budget and financial statements
• Managing investment portfolio of £6m

• Responsible for the management of the College’s finance function - £11m funding
• The College converted to a 16-19 academy and formed The Challenge Academy Trust

• Worked as a consultant primarily to academy trusts including Manchester Enterprise Academy and Congleton High School
• Provision of financial services

• Involved in the preparation for the secondary academy to be formed.
• Managed all business functions of the academy
• Oversaw a major restructuring programme, working closely with Department for Education
• On completion of restructuring programme, chose to leave to undertake consultancy work.

• A wholesale food packaging business comprising of four companies.
• Contracted to design and install new accounting system
• Advised management on any improvements to the business identified during the process.
• Assumed additional responsibilities during the contract to manage the finances of the business, liaise with banks and auditors

• Unquoted plc set up under EIS scheme in retail pharmacy
• Company grew from 19 pharmacies, when I joined, to 35 outlets at the time of sale.
• Appointed as Company Accountant and joined the Board of Directors on 1st Sept 2005
• Successfully raise over £11.5m in equity and debt finance.
• Responsible for the financial management and reporting of the company
• Part of the team reviewing acquisitions and their purchase
• Company was sold to Lloyds Pharmacy for an enterprise value of just over £60m

• Joint venture company between Manchester Business School and University of Wales, Bangor for the provision of management education and training in over 100 countries using multi-modal techniques
• Responsible for financial reporting and management of the company
• Implemented changes to the cost structure and delivery method to turn company from a loss making to a profit returning operation
• Refinanced company debt which led to an accelerated reduction in the level of borrowings to become debt free within 6 years

• First full-time employment – training contract from Sept 1989 to Aug 1992 – general accounting and auditing role across a large range of businesses
• Qualified as a chartered accountant in 1992 and led large company audits and special work e.g. Stock Exchange reports, consultancy reports

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

2001 – Master of Business Administration – University of Manchester (Manchester Business School) and University of Wales, Bangor

1992 to date – Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (first time pass)

1989 – BA (Hons) Accountancy (2:1) – Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic

1986 – A Levels – French, Geography & Mathematics – St Columb’s College, Derry, N. Ireland

1985 – O Level Italian – St Columb’s College, Derry, N. Ireland

1984 – 8 O Levels all A to C including English Language and an AO Level in Advanced Mathematics

1983 – O Level Mathematics – grade A