Group Finance Director

Education/Qualification

• 2000 Chartered Accountant FCA
• 1997 The University of Liverpool – BA Honours in Accounting
• 1994 Sedbergh School – A Levels in Geography, Biology and Chemistry
• 1992 – 10 GCSEs including Mathematics and English

Systems used

• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Sage 200
• Sage Payroll
• Hansa ERP
• NAVision

Career Summary

Current Employer –  Storage Provider

Position – Group Finance Director

Dates – January 2021 – December 2025

•  I have played a key leadership role in the company’s expansion, from operating 8 trading stores to 28 today, with a live pipeline of over 10 development sites. Reported entity revenues have increased from £3m to £25m
• I have supported the business through key milestones including major new client contract wins, 2 trading acquisitions, integration of 5 trading entities, 12 store developments and openings, 7 successful exits for PE investors with associated due diligence processes
• The diverse client base includes listed PLC investment institutions, PE investors and family offices.
• I have built, scaled and mentored the finance function from a team of 2 to 7, overseeing the professional development of team members and consistently delivering all reporting deadlines
• I introduced an intuitive KPI reporting structure now used across all client portfolios and led the implementation of an enhanced Sage 200 accounting platform, allowing for streamlining of workflows to create head office efficiencies
• My responsibilities have spanned day to day management of the finance team (reporting over 20 legal entities) to business partnering with commercial operations, financial modelling, business plan ROI/ feasibility analysis, as well as cashflow optimisation, including free cash forecasting, budgeting, and long-term projection. I played a central role in improving the working capital cycle and successfully established new debt funding lines with traditional banking and short-term bridge finance provider
• In addition, I coordinated multiple asset and development management contract negotiations and supported two Big Four external audits annually
• This rewarding position has allowed me to play a strategic and commercial finance role at board level in a fast-paced, investment-driven, multi-entity environment with wider exposure to PLC and PE investors.

Previous Employer – Optical services

Position – Finance Director / Group Financial Controller

Dates – April 2018 – August 2020

•  I led the finance function and directly supported the Group CEO (£40m turnover). This hands-on, end-to-end role covered not only finance but also HR and strategic business development. I was instrumental in setting up the new business, establishing robust financial controls and procedures, and advising on board-level strategy.
• Previously, as Group Financial Controller I led a finance team of seven through a period of major transition. This included the exit from a long-term partnership with Tesco Opticians, the launch of a trial concept for M&S Opticians, and the development of a 30-store retail chain across the UK and Europe. My responsibilities included statutory and management reporting, cash flow management, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Key achievements include building investment-ready financial models and business plans, disposing of a European subsidiary to a PE-backed trade buyer, and implementing a successful R&D tax claim saving over £1m in Corporation Tax. I also introduced a group transfer pricing policy, delivered recurring cost savings through supplier and staff efficiencies, and supported the closure of underperforming retail ventures in the UK and Poland. Additionally, I coordinated PAYE and VAT inspections, identifying improvements to the group’s effective VAT rate

Previous Employer – Finance Company  

Position – Finance Director 

Dates – April 2017 – March 2018

• Reporting directly to the UK MD, I led the finance function for both the UK and Australian operations of,
• I successfully recruited and developed a finance team of 5 and managed the full migration of operational and reporting responsibilities from the outgoing US head office to the UK.
• This transition involved implementing process efficiencies, eliminating control risks, and designing a robust monthly reporting pack to support and challenge group strategy.
• As part of establishing the new finance function, I focused on improving the quality and timeliness of reporting, enhancing internal controls, and providing strategic insight to senior leadership. My work ensured greater visibility over financial performance across both regions and contributed to improved decision-making at group level.
• I played a key role in a group sale process, representing finance for the UK and Australia. This involved preparing and analysing detailed historical data, revising complex projection models, and presenting financials to potential trade and PE buyers, as well as funding partners. I also coordinated and managed the finance workstream for a detailed Vendor Due Diligence process

Previous Employer – Pub group

Position – Head of Finance

Dates – August 2013 – April 2017

• Reporting to the Group CFO, I led a 15-strong finance team across FP&A, management and statutory reporting, and transactional finance, with 6 direct reports. I was responsible for all financial reporting, ad hoc projects, and the delivery of the annual budget and detailed three-year plan across 900+ sites. This complex, top-down and bottom-up forecasting exercise was a key reporting tool for PE backers and helped align operational incentives
• As a member of the operations Executive Committee, I worked closely with senior non-financial stakeholders to present and challenge business performance. I played a central role in developing new operational and financial reporting tools that improved visibility over site-level profitability and informed key strategic decisions
• Key projects included the £30m acquisition and integration of over 100 pubs from Heineken, a major debt refinancing involving a three-bank syndicate, and a group-wide re-banking initiative that delivered significant annual savings. I also led improvements to operational finance processes and contributed to wider business culture through staff welfare and engagement initiatives

Previous Employer – Asset Managers

Position – Investment Manager

Dates – September 2006 – August 2013

• Reporting directly to the Managing Partner, I was a member of the Northern Investment team, based in the Manchester office, where I was responsible for sourcing, transacting, monitoring and exiting investments based in the north of England
• This role provided significant deal experience and required the use of analytical skills and acquired industry knowledge in conducting the assessment of investment opportunities, specifically: –
• the identification of underlying commercial business drivers and accounting issues,
• the analysis of short and long term cash flows, financial forecasts, financing scenarios,
• the scoping and direction of multi-disciplined due diligence assignments,
• conducting commercial and legal negotiations, and
• preparation and presentation of written reports and key issues to Investment Committees
• I transacted investments, and exits, ranging from £1m mezzanine loans to £5m equity investments and held Board Observer / Non-Executive Director positions. These roles included input into strategic decision making, budgeting, KPI and management accounts analysis and performance reporting for investors

Previous Employer – Accounting Firms

Position – Graduate Trainee / Audit Senior

Dates – August 1997 – September 2001

• I started initially as a graduate trainee and progressed to Audit Senior following qualification as a Chartered Accountant.  This role predominantly involved the provision of Audit and accounting services for a wide variety of private SME companies, focusing on manufacturing and leisure businesses.