Russell Mercer Email & Phone Number

Swindon, England, United Kingdom

Torquay, England, United Kingdom

Bristol, United Kingdom

I was recruited to provide financial and business development support to enhance and maximise revenue and profitability of traded services business units. This included engaging with senior managers to formulate strategic business plans and operating strategy aligned to the councils Corporate Plan.I advised managers on financial matters relating to budgeting and forecasting, P&L management and costing and pricing. This included reviewing profitability to identify inefficient use of resources and devise solutions to mitigate. Due to challenges of a competitive candidate led recruitment market I was asked to lead and develop a proactive and speedy yet robust process to facilitate the recruitment of casual and seasonal workers across a number of service areas including catering, parks, caretaking, cemetery & crematoria and waste management.

Bristol, United Kingdom

I was challenged to develop a strategy and deliver a business transformation programme to turn around the loss making Parks Catering multi-site business unit and major cultural asset.I developed and embedded improvements, reduced costs, increased sales, restructured the organisational structure recruiting new talent and empowered and motivated the team to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.During this period I maintained full operational management of a multi-site catering business ensuring compliance with health & safety and food hygiene, and premises management.Challenged to find alternative temporary use for Grade 1 listed building following its closure as events venue culminating in negotiating tenancy for an arts charity to create a vibrant multi-use arts venue. I also worked with colleagues from across the organisation to support and contribute to the councils new Good Food and Catering Procurement policy which contributed towards the council achieving Gold Sustainable Food City status. I also collaborated with colleagues from across different service areas to scope and award food procurement contracts to support catering in multiple settings.At the end on my secondment the business was generating a six figure profit and was well placed to benefit from future opportunities.

Bristol, United Kingdom

I founded and managed an innovative omni-channel retail business in the dog accessory sector, selling across the UK Market. I managed all aspects of the business from developing the initial concept through business planning, project managing start up, launch and day to day operational and financial management, marketing and business development.

Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom

I helped to create this critical new post playing a leading role with overall responsibility for controlling the financial and contract management across a UK remit, including oversight, and reporting to ensure all business objectives were achieved. I provided key support across multi-discipline functions to set the strategic vision to deliver goals within short term and long-term strategies. I acted as commercial lead on HR Consultancy projects managing multiple workstreams, collaborating with sub-contractors and ensuring that all timescales and deadlines were achieved. I managed the preparation of commercial analysis and appraisal of new Initiatives, facilitated decisions leading to increased revenue and profitability. I also successfully managed the client accounting function including client billing, project accounting and purchase ledger and supplier bill-back service. I was awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of my achievements.

Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom

A project role involved in the analysis, design, and construction phase of a project to create new business support unit. Gathered and documented business requirements and processes and wrote user acceptance test scripts.

Poole, England, United Kingdom

I worked with personnel across the business to develop and implement new accounting costing model and accounting process to calculate internal transfer charges. The objectives of the project were to enhance operational efficiency and the harmonisation of accounting practices resulting in cost savings.My main achievement was to oversee the successful migration of HR Finance MI reporting reducing the time taken to deliver reports by 25%. I later worked on project team alongside senior finance staff to develop new database application to ensure compliance with new international accounting standards.