Managing mergers and acquisitions to build a portfolio of companies.

Creative Software Solutions (CSS) Ltd. is a privately-owned UK based company providing integrated hardware and software solutions for the manufacturing sector. Clients vary from small businesses to large multinational companies across the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific. Responsible for the financial and management accounts for the group of companies including full end-to-end accounting.Set up Xero accounting software and chart of accounts and provide ongoing financial support and advice including helping the Company Director move forward with plans to set up a company in the USA in order to facilitate further growth.Ongoing advice regarding pricing structures, sales and marketing budgeting and ongoing profitability analysis.

Rubicai Ltd is a privately-owned satellite communications company specializing in luxury yachts, founded in October 2016 in Bulgaria.Responsible for all financial aspects of the company. Full end-to-end accounting from purchase and sales invoices to management accounts, VAT, year-end financial statements, company tax and group tax planning.Reduced 2016 tax payable by 50% through thorough analysis of results.Set up Xero accounting software with personalized chart of accounts for gross margin / job reporting and marketing analysis.Helped company owner with tax strategy regarding initial company jurisdiction, reviewed legal documents on company formation and provided ongoing financial and commercial advice regarding business location and equity structure.

Inghams is a part of the Hotelplan UK Group of companies which provides specialist holiday breaks to guests primarily within Europe. The hotel in St Christoph sleeps and feeds 136 people per night, with guests transferring in and out every Saturday.Management of the hotel and all its operations including the Housekeeping, Bar and Restaurant teams, directing them to carry out all tasks above and beyond guest expectations. Developed relationships with suppliers, contractors and staff, including communications with German speakers.Weekly hotel accounts, stocktakes, rotas and timesheets and assisted other managers with excel and analysis where required.

EduCo International Group is a private equity owned (Baring Private Equity Asia) education company specializing in providing first class education opportunities to international students across English Language, Vocational and Higher Education sectors with companies in Australia, Canada and the USA. As the Head of Finance for the group I have responsibility for all aspects of finance of all group companies including the Netherlands registered holding company, companies in the USA, Canada and Australia. Reporting the consolidated group P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow to the private equity owners on a monthly basis along with bi-monthly forecasts and annual budgets. I have responsibility for tax, statutory reporting and audits across all companies and jurisdictions and setting financial policies for the worldwide group.Working closely with the other members of the Executive Team my role is to analyse opportunities and deliver timely information in order to ensure the business’s ability to act upon changes of circumstances. Liaising with the private equity owners to ensure the most effective group tax profile and managing the integration of new acquisitions into the group.

Study Group is a global leader in international education, providing the highest quality educational opportunities through provision of Higher Education, English Language Education and Career Education to over 50,000 students from over 130 countries including direct links to the UK and US. The company was owned by DMG Media (UK) before being acquired by Champ Private Equity for $170 million and sold to Providence Equity in 2010 for $660 million due to threefold profitability growth since 2007. Turnover in Australia doubled between 2003 and 2009 during my tenure with the company.Contract role created due to the implementation of a new business software that failed to effectively meet the needs of the businessDeveloped interim procedures to enable on time payment of agent commissions prior to system redevelopmentImproved systems and reports to enable ongoing on-time payments to be made in accordance with the business rulesImproved internal and external relationships with the finance department due to increased productivity and improved communicationDiscovered and addressed system issues and worked with the development team to fix both system functionality and data issuesManaged a team of seven responsible for all agent and student related debt and payments, including managing the process of dealing with the backlog of commissions payments and other work that had fallen behind due to system and process issues

During my three years as Financial Controller of the Australian and New Zealand companies I had responsibility for all financial aspects of the company, providing support and cover for the Director of Finance wherever required. I was part of the ‘Business Performance Management Team’ set up to drive the strategy of the organisation and ensure the smooth and effective running of the business. I was in charge of the statutory accounts, tax and audits for three companies in Australia and one in New Zealand. I had full responsibility for Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) function of the Australasian group, preparing all budgets and forecasts including cashflow forecasts for the group.Specific Achievements:Implemented new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system along with a new chart of accounts, including many customisations to meet the needs of the businessImplemented new Expense Management System (EMS) and Contract Management System (CMS)Improved budget methodology to better reflect actual expected monthly results for both revenue and expenditureImproved systems and procedures to enable more time for analysis of the reports after their completionAdjusted methodology for accruing for teacher holidays that had previously been incorrectChange management of people, processes and systems in times of structural change, ensuring a smooth transitionStaff development and management of the team of 14 ensuring training opportunities identified and acted upon including succession planning