Financial Director - STARSHINE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED - London
(2009-05)
The Starshine Management Company (on behalf of a Jersey Trust) manages property assets in excess of £500 million in the UK and Europe for a Ultra High Net worth Middle Eastern family. The Group property portfolio includes prime central London residential and commercial properties and provides a 6 star hospitality service.
- Contributed to developing the strategic direction of the finance division creating an action plan and reporting measurements to understand if the strategic have been met.
- Managed a finance division of 20 people, developed relationships within the teams to influence changes within the division to improve efficiencies.
- Co-ordinated all reports about revenue and capital budgets creating regular reports.
- Dealt with the trustees and any trust matters in respect of financial matters.
- Proactive business partnering with Property Department to ensure maximisation of tax/vat savings for all entities.
- Board Director for US entity turnover of US$500 million per annum/ EBITDA US$10million. Attended monthly Board meetings on behalf of shareholder challenging strategy and financial controls of the operation.
- Successfully re-negotiated supplier contracts resulting in £1 million of cost saving.
- Fostered change with the finance division to improve efficiencies by creating a system that feed ideas to improve processes which would be implemented across the business.
Group Controller/ Regional Business Controller - METRO INTERNATIONAL SA
(2007-04 - 2009-04)
Metro International SA is a Swedish listed newspaper group operating in 23 countries with turnover in excess of circa US$400 million.
- Production of quarterly financial statements/Press Releases for the Swedish Stock Exchange and ensuring adherence to IFRS.
- In charge of the US operation (New York, Boston, and Philadelphia) and ensure Statutory Accounts in accordance to US GAAP.
- In charge of dealing with auditors and Banks/ re-financed €50 million working capital facility.
- Defined and implemented cost saving strategies within operations and worked closely with the local Management Team to ensure execution.
- Identified cost saving initiatives of circa US$ 2 million per annum resulting in a 50% year on year EBIT improvement.
- Implemented and successfully negotiated outsourcing of US receivables saving US$200k in headcount and reducing DSO days from 90 days to 60 days.
- Successfully used Hyperion to consolidate results by country operations.
Head Of Finance - SUNLEY GROUP PLC
(2004-06 - 2006-08)
The Sunley Group is a UK residential and real estate group and acts predominantly for the Sunley Family. Sunley have an award winning team in design and innovation and currently sell circa 100 units per annum. The Group turnover was £57 million and pre-tax profits of £3million.
- Supervision/development of 12 staff.
- Producing profit and loss account, balance sheet, and Group cash flow forecasting on a one and three year view.
- Timely production of year end Accounts for 50 business units and dealing with auditors.
- Reporting on past and future internal rates of return on capital employed on all projects.
- Production of Annual Budgets and business plans including key business performance criteria.
- Major cost savings/efficiencies within the Group by the merging of offices and outsource of functions.
- Placed more emphasis on cash generation resulting in a reduction of debtor days and repayment of bank debt.
Financial Manager - RELIANCE TRADE CORPORATION PLC
(1997-06 - 2004-05)
Reliance is a commodities trading business with a focus on the imports of rice, sugar, steel into West Africa. The Group turnover for was US$100 million and net profits of £500k.
- Ensuring the production of timely management reports and presentation to the Board of Directors.
- Responsible for the production of the annual Budget and forecast.
- Risk Asset Management – identifying key risk factors to the business.
- Production of daily Profit & Loss reports on all Commodity positions/exposures.
- Set up and successfully negotiated a contract with a German buying consortium Group to import animal feed directly from Asia in order to conform with EU traceability rules.
- Successfully negotiated new trade finance banking lines of US$50 million and with the introduction of tight financial controls achieved cost savings of £150k per annum.
- Successfully identified an acquisition and instrumental in negotiations with target business. Closely involved with full integration into Group.
Senior Financial Analyst (Smirnoff Brand) - DIAGEO PLC
(1990-01 - 1997-05)
Associate Accountant - DELOITTE HASKINS & SELLS
(1986-09 - 1989-11)
