As an ACCA qualified accountant, I bring over 20 years of experience as an executive finance leader at the Board level with roles including Financial Director and Group Financial Controller, where I have honed a robust track record in influencing, developing, and executing commercial strategies within an SME environment across various industry sectors. While I have primarily and most recently thrived in service-based B2B and B2C sectors, creating opportunities and driving growth, my expertise also extends to navigating the complex landscapes of Private Equity, Venture Capital, and IPOs.Key skills:Compilation and reporting of Financials / Management information, analysis & presentation / Budgeting and Forecasting / Cashflow management / SME Growth / Strategic planning & structuring / Change Management / Process management & efficiencies /Funding- Asset / Debt / Working Capital / Company / Secretarial / Risk Management / Financial Strategy Development / Financial Reporting & Management / Budgeting & Forecasting /Cash Flow Management / Funding & Financial Negotiations / Risk Management / Compliance & Insurance Negotiation / Leadership & Team Development / Stakeholder Relationship management / Process Improvement / Change Management / Strategic Planning / Company Secretarial Duties / Technology Implementation / Human Resources Duties.Role- Financial Director/ Finance Director/ Group Finance Director/ FD/ Chief Finance Office/ CFO, Group Financial Controller / FC / Head of FinanceIndustry - Recruitment/ Construction / Hospitality / Hire / Event Production / Manufacturing / SME/ VC, Venture Capital / PE / Private Equity/ IPO / Private
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Financial DirectorThe Archer GroupAndover, Gb -
Financial DirectorThe Archer Group Aug 2023 - PresentUnited KingdomSector - EMEA Recruitment – High GrowthOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £25mEmployee No. - 45RESPONSIBILITIES• Financial lead and team development (team of 5).• Board and Senior Leadership Team member.• Strategic Planning and Control.• Cash Management and identification of suitable funding.• Stakeholder maintenance and development.ACHIEVEMENTS• Structure – implementation of Group structure to include a holding company and operational trading entities. This provided overall risk and tax management and allowed balanced incentivisation for key senior team members to promote longevity of service. • Control – design of budgeting model and identifying KPI’s to allow performance to be investigated, rationalised, and adjusted to measure and maximise performance while providing an enhanced understanding of operations to the senior management team.• Funding – Secure working capital, asset-based and debt funding to provide cashflow to allow operational development into an expanding Middle East market.• Stakeholder Management – establish and appointment a team suitable to provide appropriate financial, tax, insurance, and HR advice to support forecast growth.• Benefits Matrix – design of competitive package to promote loyalty and longevity of service. Implementation of competency and progression matrices encouraging individual growth and supporting organic development across the Group. -
Group Finance DirectorClarke Banks Group Jan 2019 - Aug 2023Weybridge, England, United KingdomSector - ConstructionOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £8mEmployee No. - 40RESPONSIBILITIES• Financial lead and team development (team of 5).• Board and Senior Leadership Team member.• Strategic Planning and Control.• Cash Management and identification of suitable funding.• Stakeholder maintenance and development.• Change management.• Company Secretarial• Human resourcesACHIEVEMENTS• Finance Function – establish the function implementing suitable processes, procedures, and technologies. Recruitment training and mentoring of a team to operate efficiently and effectively providing information in a timely manner. Initiation and responsibility for the Human Resources and Company Secretarial functions.• Structure – implementation of Group structure including a holding company and operational trading entities providing risk and tax management and establishing standardisation and consistency to aid scalability. • Strategic Development – Development of a 5-year plan cycle, initiating a forecasting model identifying appropriate KPI’s to measure performance and progression, challenging and communicating results to senior management for review and planning.• Cost Savings – investigation and analytical review driving cost savings – example driving a hybrid working model and utilising shared office space.• Enhancing Revenue – identification of weak quote conversion statistics, implementing procedural change driving revenue growth of c.10%• Debt Management – design and implementation of debt management procedure.• Stakeholder Management (Internal) –collaborating with the Senior Leadership Team to design risk management strategies and attain quality and industry accreditations enhancing Group value. • Stakeholder Management (external) – develop relationships with funders, auditors, legal, insurers.• Exit – working with shareholders to secure a targeted sale of the Group to a third party. -
Financial ControllerFixing Centre Limited Jul 2015 - Apr 2016Ripley, England, United KingdomSector - ManufacturingOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £10mEmployee No. - 50RESPONSIBILITIES• Financial lead and team development (team of 2).• Cash Management and identification of suitable funding.• Stakeholder maintenance and development.ACHIEVEMENTS• Finance Function – design and implementation of financial reporting package to enhance shareholder appreciation of performance. -
Financial ControllerGrayshott Spa Feb 2015 - Jul 2015Grayshott, England, United KingdomSector - HospitalityOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £10mEmployee No. - 100RESPONSIBILITIES• Financial lead and team development (team of 3).• Cash Management and identification of suitable funding.• Stakeholder maintenance and development.ACHIEVEMENTS• Strategic Development - design and implement a forecasting model to allow shareholders to appreciate the performance of the business with a view to exit.• Revenue Growth – identification of correlations, designing and recommending a pricing model to enhance occupancy.
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Director Of Finance And OperationsQueens Oak Feb 2010 - May 2015Sandhurst, England, United KingdomSector - HospitalityOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £1mEmployee No. - 10RESPONSIBILITIES• Financial lead• Planning and Control• Operational lead• Cash Management• Stakeholder managementACHIEVEMENTS• Strategic Development – targeting of suitable establishments prime for reinvention. Developing budgets and performance forecasts, negotiation with breweries to optimise tenancies maximising discounts, minimising ties and rents.• Operational development – understanding marketplaces and tailoring offers to maximise footfall and covers. Enhancing the offer to accommodate seasonality and target audience.• Team – identification of appropriate team members with appropriate skills. Communicating the demand to the team and instructing to efficiently and effectively service the offer.• Client management – understanding interests and desires of clients – organising special events both internal and external to the venue to enhance loyalty and drive revenue growth.• Stakeholder management – presentation of investment proposals with breweries driving revenue growth and reestablish the venue as a going concern.• Exit – identification of suitable operators to acquire the tenancy.
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Financial ControllerDrummond Flooring Ltd Apr 2003 - Feb 2015Leatherhead, England, United KingdomSector - Commercial & Residential FlooringOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £3mEmployee No. - 12
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Group Financial ControllerProtec Mar 2001 - Apr 2003Dubai, United Arab EmiratesSector - Event Production, Equipment Hire & R&D ManufactureOwnership Model - Private EquityTurnover - £10mEmployee No. - 50 -
Regional Finance Director - AustraliaGearhouse Group Plc Feb 1999 - Mar 2001Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaSector - Event Production, Equipment Hire & R&D ManufactureOwnership Model - Private Equity & Venture Capital to IPOTurnover - £80mEmployee No. - 700
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Group Financial ControllerGearhouse Group Plc Jul 1994 - Jan 1999Weybridge, England, United KingdomSector - Event Production, Equipment Hire & R&D ManufactureOwnership Model - Private Equity & Venture Capital to IPOTurnover - £80mEmployee No. - 700
Richard Lay Skills
Richard Lay Education Details
Frequently Asked Questions about Richard Lay
What company does Richard Lay work for?
Richard Lay works for The Archer Group
What is Richard Lay's role at the current company?
Richard Lay's current role is Financial Director.
What schools did Richard Lay attend?
Richard Lay attended Acca, Kingston Grammar School.
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Richard Lay has interest in Technology, Gaming, Poker, New Technologies, Graphic Design, Game Theory, Health.
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Richard Lay has skills like Retail, Retail Sales, Advertising, Collectibles, Antiques, Graphic Design, Printing, Screen Printing, Sales, E Commerce, Mobile Devices, Social Media.
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