Robert Bennett Email & Phone Number

South Africa

Cape Town

The traditional CFO is not sufficiently equipped for today’s challenges, and financial skills alone aren’t enough to survive in an ever-changing market. The conventional static strategic planning process is based on a stable environment where forecasting is relatively easy, which doesn’t work because this world no longer exists. Leaders and CFOs need a new mindset of transforming strategy into a continuous process. As a result, these companies will pull ahead and stay ahead of those clinging to the old approach.This framework is based on and enables the following:• Focusing on strategic planning as a continuous process using a multi-disciplinary, risk-based approach that optimises shareholder value as measured by return on invested capital.• Responding to an increasingly changing and uncertain environment by developing a dynamic living plan that identifies no-regret moves, strategic hedges, and options, runs experiments before locking in investment, and provides prescriptive surveillance.• Simplifying the strategy-making process using an easy-to-follow methodology translated into actionable plans, enabling continuous board, committee, and management surveillance.• Upgrading the organisation by developing new capabilities, upskilling the workforce, integrating divisions and head office, and delegating authority to the right levels.• Outperforming the competition by focusing on the future, identifying the gaps and opportunities, and measuring performance using financial and non-financial metrics.

Cape Town

Future Found Sanctuary is a seven-acre, five-star luxury hotel in the foothills of Table Mountain, consisting of two exclusive villas and nine luxury rooms. After being approached to run it, my mandate was to get the Sanctuary to break even. During my time, shareholders and I realised we lacked the capabilities, reach and networks required to put the Sanctuary on a financially sustainable path. I identified a suitable management company to partner with the Sanctuary that had the capabilities we lacked and was instrumental in concluding the management agreement between Future Found Sanctuary and Newmark Hotels.Once the agreement became effective on 1 June 2023, my services became redundant, and I exited at the end of June 2023. Upon leaving, I had achieved my mandate to put the Sanctuary on a path to a sustainable financial future.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Medshield Medical Scheme is a healthcare fund offering innovative and affordable products and benefits for individuals and families in South Africa.As CFO, my responsibilities include:• Managing the scheme’s overall financial function• Investment management• Staff management, with two direct reports from the senior and junior Financial Managers and 12 employees in the division• Improving control environment and reducing reportable findings• Working on a long-term healthcare spend solution• Implementing IFRS9 (ECL calculations) and IFRS16• Working with Insight Actuaries and NMG Actuaries, which gave me a significant understanding of actuarial models• Daily reports that include cashflow forecasting • Monthly management accounts and monthly cost centre reports• Financial standard reporting (IFRS)• Strategic financial management• Payroll responsibilities including monthly payroll run and ad hoc runs• Cashflow optimisation, planning, and management• Financial risk management to ensure complete control over the financial cycle, procure-to-pay cycle, payroll, and investments• Medical Schemes Act and Regulatory compliance• Contributing to the scheme’s annual benefit design, pricing, and budgeting cycle• Managing annual financial statements and statutory returns• Accountability for the Finance and Operations Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Board of TrusteesAs the Chief Financial Officer, my core role is to manage company-wide financial functions, including implementing turnaround strategies, increasing cashflow solutions, increasing investments, and more.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

As Chief Financial Officer of the retail division, I managed six staff members and was responsible for:• Complete financial management, including payroll• Reporting on one division with 10 business units• Monthly management accounts, including profit centre reports• Strategic management of the retail division• Developing the reporting pack, including income statements, balance sheets, cashflow statements, and associated support schedules• Conducting financial standard reporting (IFRS)• Cashflow optimisation, planning, and management• Financial risk management of the division• Managing the annual retail budgeting cycle, including detailed budgets by business unit and analytical unit

Johannesburg, South Africa

Before the business was sold, I was responsible for managing all staff, all financial functions of the company, and three factories, as well as payroll. During this time, I fulfilled various financial and strategic duties, including:• Managing monthly management accounts, sales, and stock reports• Financial standard reporting (IFRS)• Restructuring debt• Reducing staff headcount• Achieving annual operating cost savings• The strategic management of the retail division• Cashflow planning and management• Holistic risk management beyond financials• Managing the budgeting cycle• Tax planning, re-submitting tax returns and obtaining additional refunds

Johannesburg, South Africa

In this role, I was responsible for managing 60 staff, including four managers, across five business units. I also handled monthly management accounts, conducted financial standard reporting (IFRS), and implemented a full financial function that included redesigning the department and its internal control framework. In addition, I executed a turnaround strategy for Netcare 911 over two years and implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to maximise the company’s business model. As a result, I achieved the highest performance rating at Netcare Limited.

Johannesburg, South Africa

I successfully implemented a Management Information System (MIS) and accrual accounting through Microsoft Excel, significantly streamlining operations and improving decision-making and performance.

Johannesburg, South Africa

In this role, I managed the company’s entire financial function and the assistant accountant, and was responsible for monthly management accounts and related schedules.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Here I completed my articles before becoming a trained accountant.

Master'S Degree, International Relations And Affairs

Master'S Degree, Philosophy In International Business

Bachelor Of Accounting (Hons), Chartered Accounting Ca(Sa)

B. Com, Hons: Finance

B.Com