I am a qualified Chartered Accountant, with over 20 years of commercial experience and a proven record of international financial leadership, within the PR, Advertising and Marketing Communication sectors. As a CFO, I have supported and worked closely with senior management and C-suite stakeholders, influencing, and guiding strategy and supporting executive board decision-making. I am a decisive, results driven and astute, finance professional, highly adept at understanding how businesses operate, analysing costs and navigating a path towards improved efficiency and profitability. I am also proactive, committed, and enthusiastic, with excellent communication skills, and possess a natural aptitude for relaying financial information to non-financial people. My career achievements have included:• Strategic Planning and Execution – Collaborated and worked closely with C-level decision makers and the board, to shape strategy and drive profitability growth & cash optimisation. Provided financial leadership and expertise in the development of long-term business strategy and its actualisation, through a variety of changes, including business restructuring, process optimisation and technology transformation.• Governance, Risk and Control Frameworks – I have built, implemented, and maintained robust corporate governance frameworks in different organisations. This has involved streamlining and strengthening financial processes and controls, as well as, embedding best practices and standardisation across the range of financial reporting provided to senior management.• Strong Leadership & Mentoring of Global Finance teams – I have led teams across the UK and Middle East. I have encouraged individuals to learn and thrive in a structured environment, helping them develop their talent and progress their careers.Specialities: Senior Stakeholder Engagement - Reporting to Group / Board level ● Strategic Planning ● Developing & Leading Global Finance Teams ● Financial Management Skills- Forecasting, Budgeting, Financial Accounts and Management Accounts● Governance, Risk, Control & Reporting Frameworks ● Strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills ● Process Improvement & Cost Savings ● Managing Change ● Commercial Awareness ● Future Proofing the Finance Function
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Chief Financial OfficerConsulumUnited Kingdom -
Chief Financial OfficerConsulum Sep 2023 - PresentBahrain -
Finance DirectorConsulum Sep 2018 - Sep 2023London, United KingdomConsulum is a specialist strategy, communications and policy advisory consultancy that provides services to countries, governments, and public sector organisations. A privately owned company, with offices in 7 countries, 140 employees and an annual turnover of $45mAppointed in a newly formed Finance Director position, becoming part of the leadership team, and acting as the lead on all finance matters. Advised on other operational issues, from opening offices in new markets to streamlining the payroll process. Accountable for all financial aspects, including audit, treasury, tax, board reporting, management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Also, involved in ad hoc financial planning and analysis projects when required.In August 2021, the business and the Board established an Executive Committee, "ExCo", under a new governance framework. Invited to be one of 4 members of the ExCo, which includes the new Chief Executive, Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer.
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Finance Director - Csm Brands (Emea / Apac)Csm Sport & Entertainment Mar 2017 - Sep 2018London, United KingdomPart of Chime Group (private equity owned) with 60 legal entities reporting to 9 strategic business units, with 700 employees and $400m in revenue. CSM is active in every major sport through providing a range of services from strategy to execution. CSM Brands (EMEA / APAC) is the strategic consulting and sponsorship activation division of CSM with 150+ employees and revenues of c. $150m. The division was launched in January 2017, operating in 4 markets, including the UK, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong.Promoted to the Finance Director position within the Brands division and was responsible for the entire finance function, including the overseas offices in the Middle East and Asia. Managed a team of 6 direct reports. Key Achievements: • Built a new CSM Brands finance team. Orchestrated the project to centralise the finance function within the CSM shared service centre ("SSC") in Sidcup. The project created net savings of c£120k for the division and added value through the creation of an aligned finance process and operating efficiencies. Hired 3 senior accountants in UK, Hong Kong, and UAE, to support the division. • Re-designed and implemented a new MI reporting tool, which enabled senior management to capture critical financial data in a dashboard summary format. This presented and explained key information and metrics in a simple and accessible way, which helped influence and support critical business decisions. The divisional CEO came to rely on this tool in the running of the business.• Led an initiative on VAT recovery, which yielded annual savings of c£200k+. -
Head Of Financial Planning And AnalysisCsm Sport & Entertainment Sep 2015 - Mar 2017London, United KingdomAs Head of FP&A, functioned as the deputy to the Group CFO and was the main point of contact for the Global finance heads. Became the principal commercial business partner for the CFO and was a key contributor to the decision-making process. Responsible for designing the annual budgeting process and delivering a consolidated business plan for the group. Also oversaw and delivered the monthly group management accounts, providing central support to the individual markets where necessary.Key Achievements:• Played an integral part in acquisition integration, ensuring specific plans were in place and executed for 8 CSM acquisitions. This included the integration of all finance processes.• Finance lead for the implementation of a new CRM system (Salesforce) with a £150k budget. Ensured that all finance processes and requirements were reflected in the implemented solution. The new CRM provided coverage for over 100 users in 10 countries including UK, Spain, France, RSA, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The new system provided enhanced functionality around Sales, Marketing and New Business activity. This included providing more granular, real-time data, and a consolidated group dashboard view of the data. The added functionality improved the accuracy and visibility of pipeline forecasting, as well as, flagging cross-selling opportunities across the separate divisions.• Partnered with the global finance heads and drove the roll out of standardised finance policies across all divisions and entities. This helped improve financial reporting and strengthened internal controls.
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Partner & Head Of Fp&ABell Pottinger Jan 2013 - Sep 2015London, Greater London, United KingdomBell Pottinger LLP was a public relation, reputation management and marketing company headquartered in London. The business operated across 3 markets, including the UK, Middle and APAC, with approx. £40m revenue. In 2013, the business went through a management buyout (MBO) from the Chime Group to become a privately owned company.Became a Partner at Bell Pottinger after the MBO from the Chime Group. This involved being part of the company’s leadership team and reporting directly to the Group CFO and board with 8 direct reports in the UK and Middle East. Key Achievements:• Interacted with finance providers to structure and navigate the finance capital needed based on future financial projections. Successfully led the team which raised £12m of Debt Capital for the MBO. • After the MBO, became involved in extensive strategic planning. This included contributing to the restructuring of the business into a Limited Liability Partnership, which created savings of £2m and cashflow improvement of £2.5m. Also presented a plan to the Board focused on reshaping the business model to drive retainer income and reduce costs.• Planned and executed best practice accounting and control procedures. Also delivered a consolidated reporting pack for the CFO, which improved the accuracy and timeliness of data available to the board, and which became an important management tool. • Recruited, led, and developed a highly motivated finance team. Supported and guided people to achieve their goals, develop their skills and progress their careers. -
Head Of FinancePelham Public Relations Oct 2009 - Jan 2013London, United Kingdom
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Finance ManagerResonate Communications Feb 2006 - Oct 2009London, United Kingdom
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Management AccountantRare Corporate Design Jan 2004 - Oct 2009London Area, United Kingdom
Gregory Lake Education Details
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Accounting And Business/Management -
The Palmer Catholic Academy
Frequently Asked Questions about Gregory Lake
What company does Gregory Lake work for?
Gregory Lake works for Consulum
What is Gregory Lake's role at the current company?
Gregory Lake's current role is Chief Financial Officer.
What schools did Gregory Lake attend?
Gregory Lake attended Bpp University, The Palmer Catholic Academy.
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