Matthew Ward work email
- Valid
- Valid
Matthew Ward personal email
Proven CFO with extensive board-level experience in finance, strategy, and operations across PLCs, Private Equity, and large corporations. A versatile leader known for driving transformational change and delivering value across multiple sectors, including Hospitality, Retail, Travel, and other consumer-facing industries.Key Strengths• Strategic CFO & Leader – A finance leader with experience in PLCs, Private Equity, and large corporations, delivering bottom-line improvements and turnarounds through finance, change management, and business development.• M&A Expertise – Success in leading acquisitions, business exits, and seamless post-merger integrations that drive long-term value.• Transformational Leadership – Experienced CFO, Managing Director, and board member with a track record of building high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and achieving results through strategic alignment.• Operational Transformation – Skilled in defining and executing strategies aligned with financial targets, securing buy-in, and driving transformational change.• Innovative Problem-Solver – Experienced in resolving complex challenges by fostering a culture of continuous improvement.• Relationship Builder – Proven ability to build relationships at the executive level and influence key stakeholders to achieve strategic goals.Key Achievements• Established an M&A function at Greene King, delivering a strategic acquisition and creating a trading division that drove significant value.• CFO and Board member instrumental in building the 7th largest leased pub company in the UK, leading market consolidation efforts.• Delivered two successful business exits within three years, achieving leading multiples and managing IPO and Private Equity processes.• Built a head office for a £100m SME, developing people, systems, and processes, which led to recognition as Finance Team of the Year 2017.• Led the acquisition and integration of 450+ pubs, realising synergies, operational efficiencies, and business growth.• Spearheaded refinancing projects, restructuring debt, and delivering significant interest savings.• Developed a strategy for two Co-op businesses, driving a 30% profit increase over three years.• Led transformation projects, implementing lean strategies for measurable improvements.
-
Chief Financial OfficerVillage HotelsDerby, Gb
-
Finance Director, Partnerships & Ventures / Group M&A DirectorGreene King Apr 2022 - PresentBury St Edmunds, GbGreene King Brewing & Retail LimitedLargest pub retailer and brewer in the UK, £2.5 billion in sales, operating over 2,700 pubs, restaurants, and hotels nationwide.In my role as Finance Director, I manage a portfolio of five trading businesses (1,200 outlets, £500 million turnover), including diverse operations such as leased and tenanted sites, fully managed operations, hotels, and venture brands. As a divisional board director, I provide strategic guidance and performance oversight to business unit MDs and FDs. Additionally, I oversee Group-wide M&A activities in collaboration with the Executive Board and Shareholder, managing the end-to-end M&A process.Key Achievements• New Trading Division: Established a trading division with a governance framework, empowering business unit leaders to drive performance while ensuring effective Board oversight.• M&A Function Development: Created a comprehensive M&A function, establishing end to end delivery process now adopted across the organisation.• Strategic Acquisition: Led the successful acquisition of Hickory’s Smokehouse, enhancing asset optimisation and long-term value.• Organisation Optimisation: Led an enterprise-wide ‘Organisation Optimisation’ program, focusing on optimal structures, process efficiency and delivering significant cost savings. -
Chief Financial OfficerHawthorn Apr 2016 - Feb 2022Marston Green, Birmingham, GbHawthorn Community Pub Company7th largest pub company in the UK, operating 700 outlets with a turnover exceeding £100 million, formed in 2015 and sold in 2021.As CFO and board director, I was instrumental in establishing and growing the business over six years, developing strategy, culture, and infrastructure. I built and led high-performing finance, commercial, and IT teams while focusing on strategic delivery, financial governance, budgeting, performance monitoring, M&A, and procurement. Additionally, I successfully led sale processes, acquisitions, and integrations that strengthened the company’s market position.Key Achievements• Established Head Office: Built a high-performing finance and commercial team, implemented ERP and BI systems; awarded Best Finance Team and Best SME (West Midlands).• Led Dual-Track M&A: Managed a dual-track process resulting in a £222 million trade sale in August 2021.• Strategic Sale to NewRiver: Directed M&A process leading to sale of company for £107 million to NewRiver in May 2018.• Acquisition Oversight: Provided financial oversight for acquiring 150 pubs and integrating 300 additional sites, achieving significant synergies.• Refinancing Success: Successfully refinanced the business, generating substantial annual interest savings.• Strategic Collaboration: Worked with the CEO on company strategy, values, and performance frameworks.• Finance Transformation: Sponsored a program that improved processes and achieved over 100 cost-saving initiatives.• Supply Chain Optimisation: Led a tender process that resulted in significant cost reductions and improved service levels. -
Managing Director - FuneralcareCentral England Co-Operative May 2013 - Dec 2015Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbCentral England Co-operative LimitedUK’s largest independent Co-operative, serving 500,000 customers weekly, with £1 billion annual sales across 420 outlets.Oversaw the Funeralcare division, defining and delivering business strategy and objectives across people and culture, operations, growth, product and marketing, customer experience, and pricing. Accountable for achieving five-year plan targets and key performance measures, including colleague engagement and customer service (150 outlets, £80 million turnover, 1,000 colleagues).Key Achievements• Strategic Development: Created and implemented a comprehensive business strategy with four key workstreams: operating model, people and culture, client experience, and business development, all aligned with short, medium, and long-term objectives.• Leadership Team Enhancement: Revamped the talent strategy, establishing a new leadership team aligned with strategic goals.• EBITDA Improvement: Increased EBITDA by £3 million within 12 months through a growth plan that opened eight new locations.• Marketing & Brand Growth: Developed a marketing and web strategy that enhanced brand presence, resulting in a £2 million increase in prepaid plan sales in the first year.• Acquisition Integration: Successfully integrated 24 trading sites as part of an acquisition, achieving a £0.5 million reduction in costs. -
Managing Director - TransportCentral England Co-Operative May 2011 - May 2013Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbGeneral Management responsibility for Transport Services / Retail Division. Oversaw the transport division, providing internal fleet services to core trading businesses, a specialist vehicle manufacturing operation, and motor dealerships (turnover: £50 million, 180 colleagues).Key Achievements• Turnaround Programme: Led a turnaround for the motor retailing business, boosting EBITDA by £3 million and increasing enterprise value by £6 million prior to a successful sale.• Culture Transformation: Developed a solution-focused culture through the “Mission Transport” initiative, resulting in a 16-point increase in colleague engagement scores over 12 months.• Operational Transformation: Implemented a lean diagnostic and transformation strategy within the vehicle manufacturing operation, achieving standardised builds, waste reduction, and a targeted marketing plan.
-
Financial DirectorCentral England Co-Operative Jul 2010 - May 2011Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbOverall finance responsibility for Motor retailing business ensuring accuracy of financial accounting, control & compliance, performance reporting, and ensuring all systems were in line with current FCA regulations.
-
Head Of Commercial FinanceCentral England Co-Operative Jan 2007 - Jul 2010Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbAccountable for the performance of a decision support team in providing valued-added analysis, P&L, cash flow and capital budgets and 5YP generation, investment appraisal, with supporting board justification, for all major projects, new sites, acquisition, due diligence, post-investment reviews and presentation of trading results and highlights to Executive.
-
Commercial Finance Manager – Food RetailCentral England Co-Operative Mar 2004 - Jan 2007Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbFinance business partner responsible for providing Retail food business with first line financial support including investment appraisal, P&L, cash flow and capital budgets, performance monitoring and analysis and competitor benchmarking. Acted as finance lead between retail buying group and Central England Co-operative (230 outlets, turnover c £680M).
-
Commercial Finance Manager – TravelCentral England Co-Operative Feb 2002 - Mar 2004Lichfield, Staffordshire, GbFinance business partner responsible for providing the Travel business with first line financial support including financial appraisal, P&L, cash flow and capital budgets, performance monitoring and analysis and competitor benchmarking. Acted as finance lead between travel buying group and Central England Co-operative (120 outlets, turnover c £180M).
Matthew Ward Skills
Matthew Ward Education Details
-
Acma, Chartered Institute Of Management Accountants
Frequently Asked Questions about Matthew Ward
What company does Matthew Ward work for?
Matthew Ward works for Village Hotels
What is Matthew Ward's role at the current company?
Matthew Ward's current role is Chief Financial Officer.
What is Matthew Ward's email address?
Matthew Ward's email address is ma****@****ure.com
What schools did Matthew Ward attend?
Matthew Ward attended Acma, Chartered Institute Of Management Accountants.
What skills is Matthew Ward known for?
Matthew Ward has skills like Change Management, Leadership, Management, Business Strategy, Performance Management, Team Leadership, Strategic Planning, Coaching, Process Improvement, Strategy, Recruiting, Business Planning.
Who are Matthew Ward's colleagues?
Matthew Ward's colleagues are Sue Caulfield Village Urban Resort Hull, Ewa Jedlinska, Abigail Anson, Isabelle Peter, Michaela Pickworth, Evan Turnbull, Chua Laihuat.
Free Chrome Extension
Find emails, phones & company data instantly
Aero Online
Your AI prospecting assistant
Select data to include:
0 records × $0.02 per record
Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers
Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.
Start your free trial