Garry Porter Email & Phone Number

Guildford, England, United Kingdom

Member of Executive Leadership team and BoardEnd to end accountability for FinanceLeadership of HR and Legal functions

Dorking, England, United Kingdom

London, England, United Kingdom

Managed Business units with Revenues of $600 million and led a team of finance professionals across 3 countries.Promoted to financial ownership of 2 Business Units within 9 months.Expanded role to become Sabre Director for 2 Joint Ventures in Turkey and Ukraine after 12 months.Led finance initiatives for all commercial activities such as market expansion, deal investments, and acquisitions.Successfully stabilised and then built a high-performing finance team.Implemented full P&L profitability reporting for Business Units, enhancing transparency and aiding decision-making.Initiated and led a Culture Ambassadors group across the finance function, enhancing global team engagement.

Fully accountable for Kingfisher’s Technology and Digital statutory entities. Lead a team of between 25 and 30 with annual spend >€400m.Achieved promotion to Finance Director within 15 months, with subsequent expansion of role to include Digital, demonstrating rapid impact and leadership capabilities.Led the transformation of Technology finance into a credible and value-adding function, resulting in significant improvements in engagement scores and positive feedback.Built a highly effective Digital finance team from scratch, incorporating startup methodologies for increased agility and productivity.Assumed responsibility for stabilising and motivating the Portfolio team, providing strategic recommendations for improvement.Served as a board member for Technology and Digital Statutory entities, actively engaging in strategic discussions and effectively managing relationships with external auditors, internal audit, and the Kingfisher Audit Committee.Successfully executed outsourcing activities, streamlining finance processing, P2P and Service desk functions.Demonstrated strong cash management skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, negotiating deferral of €30 million in cash and generating over €10 million in savings within the Technology cost base.Led the implementation of a new process to align Technology and Operating companies on targets and effectively track Digital Sales figures.Achieved significant improvements in the Technology recharge process, focusing on cost transparency and fostering engagement with Technology users to maximize spending efficiency.Utilised external networks to gain insights into best-in-class practices for both the Portfolio team and the recharge process.Served as the finance lead on a multi-year, €400 million SAP implementation program, assuming overall financial responsibility and providing regular updates to the Kingfisher Board.

Moved into a challenging situation as Digital Finance Director, establishing finance team and processes, and reducing spend by 45% in just 12 weeks.Built comprehensive business cases for Digital workstreams and ensured rigorous progress monitoring, leading to increased revenue once projects were live.Served as Visa director on Strategic Partnerships with Monetise and Beyond Analysis, contributing to strategic growth initiatives.Led the finance team on a disclosed project to investigate a potential merger between Visa Europe and Visa Inc, demonstrating strategic vision and financial expertise.Completed a 9-month Coaching program and became EMCC accredited.

Promoted to Head of Financial Planning role, establishing FP&A within Visa Europe, and driving strategic planning initiatives.Managed overall budget for Visa Europe (revenues of €2bn), demonstrating strong financial acumen.Matrix leadership of 150-200 individualsSuccessfully implemented Hyperion Planning system, enhancing financial planning and analysis capabilities for the businessEarned a reputation as a trusted advisor to the CEO and CFO, providing valuable insights and earning regular positive feedback from the wider executive team.Led the finance team in achieving the gold standard for Investors in People accreditation, showcasing a commitment to professional development and organisational excellence.Selected for an exclusive 12-month Leadership programme, highlighting strong leadership potential.

Pioneered the Finance Business Partner model and successfully rolled it out across the organisation, resulting in improved collaboration with key functions.Achieved a 67% reduction in month-end timeline through process optimisation, demonstrating efficiency and strategic thinking.Successfully integrated finance ways of working and processes as Finance Director for Carte Bleue during and after Visa Europe's acquisition of the business, driving business rationalisation and overall integration.

Member of the High Potential talent group, recognised for excellent performance and potential.Successfully navigated through 3 challenging full-time roles and an extended secondment, showcasing adaptability, versatility, and a willingness to continuously learn.Earned promotion to the role of Finance Manager, providing strong support to Global IT and Supply Chain functions.Actively engaged in project investment case preparation, presentation, and tracking, contributing to strategic decision-making and financial oversight.

After 15 months in Group Treasury Accounting role, I was promoted to the newly created position of Treasury Analyst, where I also achieved the AMCT Treasury qualification.Played a pivotal role in multiple high-value Bond issues, Money Market Funds, and management of FX exposure.Revolutionised collaboration between Treasury and Treasury Accounting teams, fostering improved efficiencies, and streamlined ways of working.

Successfully managed a diverse portfolio of clients in the Consumer sector, including brands such as Coca-Cola, Whitbread, Bourne Leisure, Harlequins Rugby club, and Youngs brewery.Demonstrated leadership skills by assuming the role of Manager on multiple client projects, effectively guiding and motivating teams of up to 10 professionals.Selected for a secondment to the Corporate Finance department, where I made significant contributions to two transactions involving the acquisition and disposal of Holiday Parks for Bourne Leisure.Consistently achieved outstanding performance ratings.

Education record

Education record

EMCC accredited executive coach

A, Levels

Amct, Treasury

Bsc (Hons), Mathematics And Statistics