Claire Evans Email & Phone Number

I am a highly successful and self motivated Finance Director with significant experience of managing the financial operations of both public and private sector organisations, as well as managing a diverse range of functional areas, including IT, human resources, and facilities. I enjoy working closely with colleagues at senior level across organisations, contributing to the strategic direction of the business and ensuring budgets of up to £350m are delivered in an effective manner. I am a highly analytical, decisive and competent leader with a track record of successful management of organisations undergoing fundamental change and have not fought shy of difficult decisions. My key achievements are • Successfully managed £350m annual budget for last 11 years at Advantage West Midlands, ensuring the funds were used to achieve value for money and the outcomes related to the specific funding.• Successfully set up a small procurement team who achieved over £1m efficiencies as well as demonstrating compliance and value for money. • Successfully implemented new accounting systems and project management systems gaining buy in from the users within the organisation.• Planned and implemented the recruitment, selection and training of a 400 strong direct sales force to sell gas to the domestic market, within a 4 month period at Midlands Sales ltd and put in place OFGAS approved control procedures within the management of the sales force.• Successfully managed a programme of downsizing within Sandwell College, which involved rationalisation of the college’s premises and staff through a number of redundancy programmes. • Successfully managed the delivery and closure of a European Programme (2000-2007 ERDF programme) within the exacting standards of the European Commission ensuring minimal claw-back of funds at Advantage West Midlands.

Listed skills include Procurement, Financial Modeling, Project Finance, Microsoft Office, and 5 others.