Mark Chambers Email & Phone Number

Cape Town, Wc, Za

City Of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

As Group Head of Finance for Wellness Warehouse / True Health Brands* Group, I was responsible for overseeing all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and strategic planning. In collaboration with senior leaders, it was my responsibility to developed and executed business strategies that aligned with our companies' goals and values. Wellness Warehouse operates 51 retail stores and an online store and is South Africa’s leading health retailer of a wide range of high-quality supplements, health foods, natural beauty products, eco home solutions. True Health Brands is a manufacturer and wholesaler operating in this same arena. My strong understanding of financial principles and leadership and communication skills enabled me to successfully drive financial growth and ensure the sustainability of the businesses. Additionally, my passion for driving efficiency and my deep understanding of systems is integral to the overall mission when implementing the new ERP system and a shared services model, and I leveraged it to help shape the future of these dynamic companies. (*True Health Brands = Nanuki, Gayleen’s, The Chocolate Yogi, Taka Turmeric, Truefood, Life Matrix, Biobodi, Skin Creamery, Wellvita & Neo Trading)

Cape Town Area, South Africa

During January 2016, Kantar Media Group restructured their business operations combining all their research brands under one unified umbrella. These brands comprise amongst others TNS, Millward Brown, Added Value, IMRB, Kantar Media, Vermeer, Kantar Public Affairs. TNS, where I was currently employed, was caught up in this restructure. My role was broadened to cover all the operating brands within the AME (Africa & Middle East) region. Kantar is part of the Global WPP Communications Group. Its brands deliver insights via research. In my role of Regional Finance Business Partner – Commercial, Costing & Pricing, I drive the commercial aspects of the business which amongst others comprise of defining pricing policy, driving policy changes and implementing systems and processes to the region. Additionally I am responsible for the Legal CoE (Centre of Expertise) in the region which reviews all the commercial agreements. As in my previous role, I also drive commerciality in the region by providing relevant, insightful information and analysis to local markets, Practice Area Leads and the Regional EXCO. I also am responsible for training (negotiations & commercial) and provide support to the Operations CoE on supplier management. More recently I have also be asked to assist the Global Development Team in needs analysis on a new global pricing system

Newlands, Cape Town

Toy shop owned by my wife and I in the heart of Newlands. Stockists of major brands of educational and fun toys.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Part of the Global WPP/Kantar Media Group. TNS delivers precise plans to help clients grow through insights obtain via research. As Regional Commercial Director in the Africa, Mediterranean & Middle East (AMME) I drive commercialism in the region, providing relevant, insightful information and analysis to local markets, Practice Area Leads and the Regional EXCO. The Commercial Director supports country management in understanding commercial issues of the businesses so as to optimize growth. Also responsible for advising on job pricing and profitability and assist in procurement processes, and involved in all contractual issues and negotiations.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

To plan, direct and coordinate the store operations management of the business from a financial perspective. Improving operational efficiencies in the cost base, improving store profitability and financially viable property decisions. Ensure budgeted profit targets are met. To ensure store budgets are aligned with high level business objectives. To ensure that store profit budgets are met through continuous engagement with store operations. To review store financial performance indicators to highlight exceptions that affect profit delivery. To drive the monthly forecasting process to ensure detailed forecasts align with high level forecasts. To ensure cost saving opportunities are identified, defined and delivered upon. To review property feasibility proposals to ensure accuracy of information and assumptions made. To manage capital spending through capex approvals and forecasting.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Financial Business Analyst to a Cape Town based design agency. Berge Farrell is a international brand design leader with clients amongst other of SAB Miller, MacDonalds, Pick 'n Pay, Almari & Tiger Brands. Oversee the financial management, report to the Board, analyse financial performance and develop financial strategy.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Financial Business Analyst to a Cape Town based advertising agency. OFyt is a through-the-line advertising agency with clients amongst other of KIA, ADT, Crazy Store & Koki. Report to the Board, analyse financial performance, forecast & budget and develop financial strategy.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Project role in the Retail sector at Woolworths. I was involved in the International expansion into Africa, converting existing stores to corporate/JV and opening stores in new markets. Being involved from End-to-End, I have gained a understanding of the interrelationship between the various retail functions involving store operations, logistics and financial management. Amongst others it has involved:• In Systems & Operations: o Project Management of system development; o Evaluating and selecting appropriate accounting systems; o Design and modification of the systems to be customised to the local conditions; o In country configuration, rollout, training & monitoring;• In Financial Management o Budgeting; o Financial Analysis and Reporting o Problem Identification and solutions o Establishment of Controls and procedures that are relevant to the markets; o Mentoring new Financial Managers; o Data analysis; o Problem detection, solution recommendation; o Preparations for Year End Audit

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Assistance in collating and compiling the 2012 BEE Accreditation.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Project Managed Ogilvy SA's Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Audit and recommendations to system procedures and controls.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Served as Financial Director for Net#work BBDO Cape Town (now know as 140 BBDO). This was an advertising agency that defined communication strategy and conceptualised & designed different communication executions. Responsible for amongst others:Financial Budgeting & ForecastingFinancial Planning and ReportingGeneral ManagementGlobal Reporting to BBDO Worldwide & Omnicom plcSarbanes-Oxley (SOX) - Maintenance of Controls and Quarterly ReportingContract NegotiationsAgency running & operationsHR Management

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Design Agency (part of Ogilvy SA Group). Startup requiring all financial and operational systems. Covering amongst others new financial and workflow system, HR and employment contracts, client contracts and IT systems integration into Ogilvy Cape Town.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Consultancy run by myself specialising in financial and operational services. Services delivered within the advertising and communications industry, retail and IT.Clients : TBSP (now part of Bester Burke Slingers) - Advertising AgencyThe Headquarters - Advertising AgencyIreland/Davenport - Advertising AgencyOrche Communications (part of AVUSA) - Advertising Agency

Johannesburg Area, South Africa

Employed to perform the following projects/tasks:Principal Officer – The Ogilvy South Africa Pension & Provident Fundso Perform the duties of the Principal Officer.o Perform the link between the Trustees of Pension and Provident Funds and the Administrators of the Funds.o Perform ad hoc task that are required to be investigated/performed.Tax Complianceo Handle all the tax related issues in respect of Ogilvy SA (Pty) Ltd including the completion of the Annual Tax Return.Information Technologyo Project manager of the conversion and implementation of the company’s new computer financial accounting system.o Developing efficient and meaningful reports for the new accounting system.

Durban Area, South Africa

Temporary position as Financial Director until a new FD was appointed. Responsibilities were: Drafting Annual Financial Statements, Supervise Year end, Monthly Management Accounts, management of the finance department and interaction with Board of Directors.

Century City - Cape Town

Application Service Provider (ASP) specialising in Customer Appreciation Programmes and Payment Systems (Loyalty) - Exco Member responsible for the Operations of the business which covers Programme Management, Merchant Management, Marketing and Finance. Involved developing the strategy for each of these divisions and the implementation.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Business Analysts to Head of Corporate Governance.Evaluating the Leave Policies and Internal Systems to capture and record leave and to perform a profit recovery exercise.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Advertising Agency - Shoprite (Define marketing strategy / Conceptualise & design different marketing material / Produce & manufacture marketing strategy.Assisting a team of people to set up a new start up Advertising Agency. I was involved in all setup decisions which included amongst others: • Employment of key staff;• Formulation and implementation of Human Resources Policies;• Establishment of Employee Benefits Schemes for staff (Group Life, Disability and a Pension Fund);• Location new premises;• IT and Office infrastructure;• Budget Planning;• Day to day operations of the agency;• Member of the management team that ran the business;• Client interaction to ensure that the client’s business objectives were achieved.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Retailer – Subsidiary of Woolworths (Pty) Ltd. Pilot retail project developing stores for different sector of the market.Perform the duties previous undertaken by the Financial Director.Budget and scenario planning.Daily, weekly & monthly reporting of KPi’s of the business.Compilations of the monthly management accounts.Evaluate and improve the systems and procedures of the company.Manage the key financial resources.Developing a Franchise Model for the business in the future. 200+ stores

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Financial Planning and Reporting- Control of all financial functions.- Costing and controlling - job costs system.- Report the financial status to the Board of Directors.- Providing counsel to the company’s senior managers on all commercial aspects of their business portfolio’s.- Negotiate contracts and fees with new and existing clients (Old Mutual, VW, BP, British American Tobacco, SAB etc)- Financial Planning and development of financial business models.-Total responsibility for the Finance Department operations and staff including employment and training.-The preparation of budgets/statutory accounts and annual returns for the auditors.- Review tax returns.- Review client cost accounting to maximize the individual client profitability and alert senior management to under performing clients.- Development of management financial tools and internal reporting systems to improve the timeliness and accuracy of all financial reports.General Management- Oversee the management of the premises (contract negotiations, renovations & expansions).- Managing the administrative support functions of the Agency.Legal Issues- Negotiation and review of company client contracts, including property contracts.Information Technology- Control of the company’s computer financial accounting system and development of systems strategies and procedures to improve the value and efficiency of the services provided to clients as well as improving the efficiency of the agency on a local and national basis. These include the project management of new developments in accounting software, document management, e-mail, internet & intranet.Group Responsibilities- Investigate, review and interaction with brokers in respect of medical aid, short term insurance and pension and provident funds.- Trustee of Pension and Provident Funds.- Assume financial responsibility of an additional 5 entities in which the holding company holds interests.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Served the last 2 years of my articles as an audit senior. Responsible for the end-to-end serving of clients. Final entries for the year, compilation of the AFS, audit and finally dealing with all the tax matters. Comprehensive training.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Then known as Bass Gordon Willis, I served 2 years of my articles. Comprehensive end-to-end training in various industries. Transferred my articles to join Chris Bush (a partner of BGW) as I work on most of his clients.

Hons B.Accounting Science, Accounting

B.Rekeningkunde, Accountancy

Activities and Societies: Rowing

Matric, High School

Junior School