I am heading the finance function of a large construction conglomerate with interests in Construction, Roads and Infrastructure, Oil & Gas and Energy and Water. A role involving strategy, funds management, Risk optimisation, project performance reviews, Handling external and Internal Audits, stakeholder management, Banking relationships and working capital management.

As head of Finance and Internal Audit for the group and reporting to the MD and Audit Committee, I oversee the finance & audit across diversified businesses comprising Automobile, Hotels, Insurance, Education, Real Estate and overseas investments of Al Habtoor Group.•In the expense review of our managed properties, we undertook deep data analysis of charges charged by them. We found that there were several contraventions to loyalty charge policy. We could secure a refund of… Show more As head of Finance and Internal Audit for the group and reporting to the MD and Audit Committee, I oversee the finance & audit across diversified businesses comprising Automobile, Hotels, Insurance, Education, Real Estate and overseas investments of Al Habtoor Group.•In the expense review of our managed properties, we undertook deep data analysis of charges charged by them. We found that there were several contraventions to loyalty charge policy. We could secure a refund of Aed. 1.5Million from the management company.•During receivables review we observed frequent movement between debtors accounts. A reconcilitation exercise between bank receipts and debtors ledger haloed is to recoup Aed. 500k from that.•Due to falling margins, we undertook a reorganization of operational expenses in our automobiles business. All major expense heads were analysed thread bare which resulted in a perpetual savings of Aed. 10M per annumExposed to international hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Starwood, etc., and have accrued demonstrated cash savings by process improvements by identifying excess charges from Management Companies. Show less

Heading Finance and Audit in the hospitality division. Responsible for planning and executing annual & special audit plans and reporting to the audit committee. Oversight of the Finance department to ensure internal controls are well in place.•During a contract review of a cleaning supplies supplier, we found that the product rates were dependent oon the AED/Euro forex rate.the rates had to be adjusted downward or upward depending on the exchange rate. The supplier did not give a… Show more Heading Finance and Audit in the hospitality division. Responsible for planning and executing annual & special audit plans and reporting to the audit committee. Oversight of the Finance department to ensure internal controls are well in place.•During a contract review of a cleaning supplies supplier, we found that the product rates were dependent oon the AED/Euro forex rate.the rates had to be adjusted downward or upward depending on the exchange rate. The supplier did not give a downward revision when the rates were favorable to us. We thus could get a180k refund within three months of my joining.•The Audit Department was not structured. I implemented an accountable audit plan with specific man-hours to various tasks in the audit plan. Presented the changed structure and audit plan to the top management for buy-in. trained the audit staff on the changing way of working and implemented a risk based internal audit plan for the company. Show less

Marriott took over the management of Harbour Hotel and residence from Emirates Airlines. I handed over the Fixed assets, Operating supplies and equipment, validated balances of accruals, GL balances, Debtors, creditors, and various balance sheet items for carryover to Marriott books. We thus seamlessly transitioned from an Emirates Hotels and Resorts operated hotel to a Marriott operated Hotel.

Joined the pre-opening team of Emirates to open Harbour Hotel and residence on Dubai Marina. Set up the Finance department from scratch starting from the identification of finance software, formulating policies, systems and procedures, guiding IT implementation teams in designing interfaces between various systems to ensure internal controls are in place.Traversed that extra mile and took initiative in materially contributing to get the necessary government approval and licences… Show more Joined the pre-opening team of Emirates to open Harbour Hotel and residence on Dubai Marina. Set up the Finance department from scratch starting from the identification of finance software, formulating policies, systems and procedures, guiding IT implementation teams in designing interfaces between various systems to ensure internal controls are in place.Traversed that extra mile and took initiative in materially contributing to get the necessary government approval and licences required for opening this fabulous five-star hotel in Dubai Marina.Successfuly transitioned from a Hotel Opening Controller to an operating Financial Controller. Spearheaded the IT initiatives of this opening hotel. Show less

Was the Financial Controller in two properties of the Taj Group; Taj Bengal, Kolkata and Taj Coromandel ChennaiPlayed the role of a Business Financial Controller driving topline maximisation a well as continuous cost improvements.• Uncovered an anomaly in the prices on which the excise duty was being calculated and thereby accrued a perpetual saving of Rs. 1M Lacs per year since 2005; Total saving of USD 350k after adjusting for inflation and revenue growth•Attained a… Show more Was the Financial Controller in two properties of the Taj Group; Taj Bengal, Kolkata and Taj Coromandel ChennaiPlayed the role of a Business Financial Controller driving topline maximisation a well as continuous cost improvements.• Uncovered an anomaly in the prices on which the excise duty was being calculated and thereby accrued a perpetual saving of Rs. 1M Lacs per year since 2005; Total saving of USD 350k after adjusting for inflation and revenue growth•Attained a 12% saving in the USD 12.50M project in Taj Coromandel•Unearthed a long standing fraud in flower supply leading to termination and blacklisting of the flower supplier and a saving of Rs. 500k per annum for the hotel•Subsequently renegotiated the contract with a new flower supplier which led to a saving of Rs. 300k per annum•Accrued a saving of Rs. 500k by re-engineering the group employee insurance contract Show less

As COO of an 80-year-old listed engineering company, I took over an asset stripped company and paved it on the path of a turnaround. •Stabilised cash flows by taking assertive action on collections•Contained a worker revolt by having open and honest communications through town halls and setting expectations realistic. Listened to their issues with an open mind and addressed their concerns with a genuine intention of resolution.•Changed the way the stakeholders (Overseas… Show more As COO of an 80-year-old listed engineering company, I took over an asset stripped company and paved it on the path of a turnaround. •Stabilised cash flows by taking assertive action on collections•Contained a worker revolt by having open and honest communications through town halls and setting expectations realistic. Listened to their issues with an open mind and addressed their concerns with a genuine intention of resolution.•Changed the way the stakeholders (Overseas Principals, Distributors, Workers, and shareholders) perceived the company and restored their confidence •Energised the distribution channels which were near defunct due to neglect by the previous management Show less

Opened two of their hotels ITC Kakatiya Hyderabad and the flagship ITC Grand Maratha Mumbai.opened the flagship hotel of the Group.•Commenced assignment as Assistant Financial Controller and was promoted as Financial Controller to handle a team of 35.•Successfully closed the debtor’s number of days to a record 9 days.