A strategic leadership role as part of the executive management team at DBCUK. This Group FC/Divisional FD role reported to the CFO with full responsibility for leading the finance department.A dual role covering both Finance & Accounting and Controlling functions within the UK business. This included the responsibility for the following functions;- Group Finance (Financial Accounting)- Operational Controlling (Management Accounting and Commercial Finance)- Strategic Controlling (Financial Planning & Analysis)- Tax & Treasury- Accounts Payable- Accounts Receivable- Finance ProjectsThe role had strong linkages with DB Cargo AG and DB AG Group as part of the wider European business network.

Responsible for leading the Group Finance and Strategic Controlling teams, reporting to the Head of Finance. The key deliverables of the role was ensuring all internal and external financial reporting requirements were delivered accurately, completely and on time and completion of robust financial forecasts and budgets. Main tasks included;- To manage, motivate and develop both teams ensuring all internal and external reporting requirements are delivered accurately, completely and on time.- Highlighting opportunities for improved performance including P&L and Balance Sheet optimisation within finance and to the wider senior management team.- Lead on month end close process ensuring accounting records for all legal entities are maintained in accordance with UK GAAP and IFRS/DB Group Accounting Policies.- Controlling the monthly reporting to DB Group, ensuring month end close timetable is met by all departments and managing communications with international colleagues.- Completion of annual statutory accounts for all UK entities.- Management of external audit process for both group and local reporting.- Provision of technical accounting advice and support as well as representing finance on business wide projects.- Generating efficiencies from improved processes, whilst ensuring strong governance and control framework is in place.- Oversee the Mid Term Planning process (MTP) and quarterly forecasts requirements, including production of financial presentations, and planned Balance Sheet, Cash flows and Profit & Loss statements. - Lead the Strategic Controlling team in providing excellent business partnering service to Head Office functions.

Senior management role reporting to the CFO with line management of two direct reports to deliver the annual store audit programme and other risk based audit reviews. Also responsible for providing direct oversight to other members of the finance team and leading cross functional project teams.Main tasks included;- Deliverance of audit plan- Managing external audit process and relationship- Annual statutory accounts completion- Company secretarial duties- Manage the company insurance renewal process and on-going processes and relationships. Also included generating cost savings during renewal process- Leading cross functional project team to deliver point of sale retail finance to all 200+ stores. This included full end to end management of project from sourcing a business partner, negotiating contracts, systems integration, delivering training to retail colleagues, updating process documents and closing out project and moving to BAU- Lead project on introducing a non-stock purchase order system to the business

Senior management role reporting to the CFO and responsible for 5 direct reports and 8 in-direct reports across Financial Accounting, IA & Compliance, AP and AR. Also significant involvement in the successful sale of the business to private equity buyer where I took the lead on the data room process and responses to bidder questions.Main tasks included;- Managing external audit process and relationship- Deliverance of all external financial reporting, including statutory accounts, tax returns, reporting to bank and investors etc.- Balance sheet control and analysis- Treasury and cash flow management- Currency hedging- Deliverance of store audit programme- Completion of other ad-hoc reviews- Finance training for non-finance staff

Directly approached by 2SFG post VION exiting the UK market to help in re-establishing the Group IA function. I reported directly to the Group Head of IA with the main focus on carrying out a high volume of financial audits alongside some key operational reviews. I also spent time in managing the capex approval process for the group as an interim role at request of the Group FD to ensure effective cash management and prioritisation of capex spend.Main tasks included;- Leading financial reviews for a large number of sites in advance of year end, including preparation, fieldwork, reporting to group and close out with local management- Ad-hoc reviews, operational audits and business support projects

Part of the UK Internal Audit Department that reported into the Group Corporate Audit Department based in Holland. Reported directly to the UK Senior IA Manager and was involved in financial, internal control and operational audits across all divisions of the UK business. The VION IA model was fairly unique in that heavy reliance was placed on the work of IA by the external auditors.In 2013 the UK business activities were divested, with the Pork Division being sold to a Private Equity investor and the Poultry and Red Meat Divisions sold to competitor 2 Sisters Food Group. This led to the UK IA team being disbanded alongside other UK Head Office functions.Main tasks included;- Deliverance of annual audit plan to timetable- Liaison with external auditors- Leading all Financial, Internal Control and Operational Audits including all planning, fieldwork, close out meetings and reporting and resolution of queries from the external auditor- Lead in delivering a high quality and efficient roll forward process at year end to ensure sign off of group reporting by the external auditor to tight reporting deadlines- Exposure to a variety of Operational Audits and value added business support projects, which have included site specific, divisional and UK Group projects across a number of functions- Improve output of IA reporting and standardise processes, templates and audit files- Build and maintain relationships within the business to ensure the increased profile of IAD within the UK Group. This included significant exposure to Senior Management- Work on cross functional projects with the business Divisions

Started as an Audit Assistant on the Graduate Training Scheme and worked through to Assistant Manager after completion of ACA qualification.I led external audit teams covering large private companies as well as subsidiaries of listed businesses covering a variety of sectors. Responsible for the day to day management of audit fieldwork as well covering all planning, co-ordination, organisation and completion of audits. Responsible for audit budget and input into fee discussions with client.Main tasks included;- In charging audits for large private companies as well as subsidiaries of listed clients. Also included junior manager roles, including budgeting and fees- Planning, co-ordination and day to day organisation of audits while leading audit teams- Work on audits across a wide range of industries including waste management, retail, construction, manufacturing and software. These clients were a combination of listed and privately owned businesses.- Secondment to client to review debt refinancing and assist in preparation of statutory accounts to extremely tight deadlines.