Robert Owens

Robert Owens Email and Phone Number

Company Director | Finance Executive | Governance | Strategy | Leadership | Stakeholder Engagement @
Robert Owens's Location
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, Australia
About Robert Owens

Extensive experience reporting to and working with Boards and CEO's. I am a qualified (CPA & GAICD) and experienced Director and Finance Committee Chair for both the Not-For-Profit and Education sectors and would welcome the opportunity to assist other organisations in a board or committee capacity.As a proven, dedicated, and pragmatic Senior Finance / Operational Executive, I have a consistent record of delivering outstanding results in Banking & Finance, insurance, tertiary education, local government and Not-For-Profit sectors. Progressing to Chief Financial Officer, Director Corporate and Commercial Services, Company Secretary and Acting Chief Executive Officer. My inspirational leadership style and success at building high performing and engaged teams has enabled collaborative work to achieve organisational objectives. My demonstrated ability to work across strategy and service delivery and engage with major technology responsibilities has delivered significantly improved business outcomes.I have excellent strategic thinking and business model design skills coupled with strong execution capability and a customer focus. With high levels of adaptability, innovation and responsiveness to new environments and challenges, I have developed a reputation for getting things done.A few career highlights include:- Leading the development and implementation of long-term ICT strategies including funding- Delivering significant cost savings as well as identifying alternative revenue streams contributing to on-going financial sustainability- Restructuring a large Corporate Services areas to produce a more customer focussed environment- Delivering offshore solutions requiring complex stakeholder negotiations to ensure successful operational and regulatory outcomes.

Robert Owens's Current Company Details
Australian Podiatry Association (NSW & ACT)

Australian Podiatry Association (Nsw & Act)

Company Director | Finance Executive | Governance | Strategy | Leadership | Stakeholder Engagement
Robert Owens Work Experience Details
  • Australian Podiatry Association (Nsw & Act)
    Board Director
    Australian Podiatry Association (Nsw & Act) 2014 - Present
    Independent Director (skills-based appointment) of the Australian Podiatry Association (NSW & ACT) and 2 of its subsidiary companies. Also Chair for the Board Finance Committee for the main entity. Overseen significant improvements both financially and from a governance perspective leading to improved member service delivery. Heavily involved in forming peak body for all podiatrists, resulting in state bodies being dissolved.
  • Youturn Youth Support
    Chief Financial Officer And Company Secretary
    Youturn Youth Support Oct 2021 - Apr 2023
    Tewantin
    As CFO was responsible for financial sustainability of the company, with a turnover in excess of $30m in and approx. 150+ staff. In April 2021 was appointed Company Secretary by the Board, responsible for ASIC and ACNC obligations.Achievements:Developed a culture of complete transparency in the company’s financial position, engaging widely, on a monthly basis, with all areas across the company ensuring staff better understood budgets enhancing service delivery to clients. Built the trust of the Board in the Finance team’s ability to provide timely and reliable reporting to enable informed decision making.Realised significant cost savings through the following: - Established and Chaired an IT Governance Group, sourcing and engaging a new IT Managed Services provider - Reviewed the Motor Vehicle Fleet and engaged a new provider - Conducted a Payroll Review - Completed review of procurement processRestructured the Finance team (implementing a strong succession plan).Effectively acted as CEO for 5 months whilst the Board recruited the new appointment.
  • Youturn Youth Support
    Acting Chief Executive Officer
    Youturn Youth Support Jun 2021 - Oct 2021
    Tewantin, Queensland, Australia
    Appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer by the Board until the new appointment was made in Oct 2021.
  • Youturn Youth Support
    Chief Financial Officer
    Youturn Youth Support Feb 2020 - Oct 2021
    Noosaville, Queensland, Australia
    Youturn Youth Support (formerly United Synergies) is a not for profit organisation providing health and social services across Queensland for more than 30 years. Youturn supports more than 6,000 young people annually with services across:• Child Safety: Providing Out of Home Care to children and young people who cannot remain living with their parents and support to vulnerable families to help maintain their family unit.• Homelessness: Providing Specialist Homelessness Services including crisis and temporary supported accommodation for young people who cannot remain at home or afford housing.• Mental Health: Lead Agency for five headspace centre with a focus on mild to moderate mental health and early intervention for young people.• Suicide Prevention: The StandBy program is Australia’s leading support after suicide services (postvention) providing support to those bereaved or impacted by suicide.
  • Kiama Municipal Council
    Director Corporate & Commercial
    Kiama Municipal Council Sep 2018 - Feb 2020
    Kiama
    Responsible for financial sustainability of KMC as CFO. Additionally, responsible for full Finance function, Information Technology, Customer Service, Records, Economic Development, KMC’s 5 Holiday Parks, a Leisure Centre, the Lifeguard service and Property. Significant portfolio with 150+ staff in various locations. Also member of the Executive Team.Key Achievements:• Significant restructure of the finance function, including implementation of best practice monthly management reporting. KMC also has a significant presence in aged care facilities, including a new facility due for completion in November 2019 (Cost > $100m).• Established a best practice monthly reporting framework, successfully gaining a Special Rate Variation through IPART allowing Councils to increase rate charges above government set rate peg and was critical to financial sustainability. This necessitated significant liaison with State Government stakeholders.• Instigated move to new investment platform, improving returns received on investment portfolio.• Implemented a Strategic Asset Management approach to infrastructure assets.• Implemented significant staffing changes made across my portfolio.• Oversaw timely completion of Statutory Accounts and Budget entailing extensive liaison with the NSW Audit Office and auditors.
  • Georges River Council
    Chief Financial Officer
    Georges River Council Jan 2017 - Mar 2018
    Hurstville
    Responsible for 23 staff, including full Finance function (Financial and Management Accounting), Treasury, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Rates, Finance Systems, Financial Strategy and Payroll. Key Achievements: • Significant restructure of finance function, whilst managing State legislation guaranteeing current staff continued employment for 3 years post amalgamation, requiring significant time mentoring and guiding the remaining staff over a period of significant uncertainty. • Completion of 2018 Budget by June 2017. Upon commencement in January 2017, there had been no start on the budget, a process that should have commenced in October 2016. Developed a strategy, endorsed by the executive, to facilitate a shorter timeframe to complete the Budget. • As an amalgamated Council there was significant duplication across many systems, including the general ledger. Consolidated a number of systems and designed, developed and implemented a completely new suite of user friendly management reports, providing training for all staff and invaluable financial information for all stakeholders to manage budgets effectively. • Completed first statutory accounts for the newly amalgamated Council, signed off by the Audit Office without qualification. • Led a number of strategic projects to streamline Council’s current processes including the automation of Long-Term Financial Plan linked to Budgets, Statutory Accounts, Investments, Cashflow forecasting, etc. This is based around the TechOne ERP system. • Reviewed Council’s insurance arrangements, which had been in place for many years without review achieving an on-going reduction of around 20% pa (over $400,000). • Acted for various periods as Chief Operating Officer in manager’s absence.
  • Shellharbour City Council
    Acting Director Corporate Policy
    Shellharbour City Council Aug 2016 - Jan 2017
    Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia
    SCC had an operational expenditure budget of approx. $100m in 2016 and capital budget of $70m with 370+ employees. Appointed to act in this role following an internal selection process until the resolution of the proposed merger between SCC and Wollongong City Council. Responsible for Finance function, Organisational Development, Payroll, Information Technology, Customer Service, Property and Infrastructure Services, with 125 staff. Responsible for majority of $70m capital budget and large portion of Operational Budget of $100m. Retained most of the strategic projects including Shell Cove Project, the new Civic Centre, the Links property development and the airport project.
  • Shellharbour City Council
    Chief Financial Officer
    Shellharbour City Council Dec 2014 - Dec 2016
    Responsible for 25 staff, including full Finance function (Financial and Management Accounting), Procurement, Accounts Payable and Receivable and Rates. Key Achievements: • Implemented complete restructure of finance function in a short period of time, fully supported by the executive and achieved without an increase to the existing budget. Several staff from outside Local Government employed to provide more commercially oriented focus and approach to financial management. • Oversaw on-going financial sustainability of SCC via role as Chair of Council's strategic oversight committee (Project Octopus). Completed a review of SCC's financial position and as a result, established several working groups to review various aspects of Council's finances. Project achieved significant savings of $5.5m in depreciation alone. Outsourced SCC's motor vehicle fleet of 130+ vehicles saving $0.5m in operational costs and $0.5m+ in capital expenditure. Significant achievement given the strong union presence at SCC. • Held significant responsibility and strategic financial oversight for the Shell Cove Residential project (a JV with Frasers involving a substantial residential and commercial development and a boat harbour construction - larger than Darling Harbour), Albion Park Airport, The Links Golf Course redevelopment and the new Civic Centre. • Key member of SCC Risk and Governance Committee and the IT Governance Committee. • Joint Chair of merger committee with Wollongong City Council, prepared Council's submission to State Government including public speaking at stakeholder forums and radio interviews. Committee had a strategic focus consisting of 12 senior staff across both organisations. Significant interaction with Department of Premier and Cabinet as the facilitators of the State Government’s proposed amalgamation process.
  • Agsm Limited
    Board Director
    Agsm Limited 2012 - 2014
  • Unsw Hk Limited
    Board Director
    Unsw Hk Limited 2012 - 2014
    Hong Kong
  • University Of Nsw
    Financial Controller Australian School Of Business
    University Of Nsw 2009 - 2014
    ASB is the largest faculty at UNSW with revenue in excess of $225m in 2014, an expenditure budget of $155m, staff of 520 + and over 12,000 students. Senior finance role with a strategic focus and overall accountability for the financial sustainability for the ASB. Provision of financial advice, budgeting, forecasting, monthly management reporting, financial analysis, strategic advice. Key Achievements: • Financial advisor to Dean and General Manager of ASB, actively contributing to the faculty's business decisions. • Developed and successfully led a high-quality finance team. As one of the senior Finance Directors across UNSW mentored a number of high potential, low performing staff and successfully facilitated their progression to the Finance Director level in some of the smaller faculties. • Member of UNSW Financial Director’s Advisory Board to provide advice to both senior UNSW executives and all finance staff across UNSW. Proposed several UNSW wide initiatives endorsed by the Board. • Restructured Australian School of Business's operations in Hong Kong, including dismantling the existing legal structure and setting up a new structure and associated legal, compliance, taxation and operational matters. Subsequently made a Director of the new company in Hong Kong. • As a result of expertise demonstrated in Hong Kong, UNSW, through their International Office, engaged me separately to consult in the setup of a Registered Foreign Office in China. • Ensured ASB met strict budget guidelines set by UNSW. Given the size and complexity of the budget and the market for international students, this was considered an outstanding achievement. • Scoped and developed a Program Profitability model. Utilised both internal and external resources to develop a model that enabled ASB to determine which programs were profitable and therefore allow more effective allocation of resources. This model was being considered for UNSW wide application.
  • St.George Bank
    Head Of Operations St George Insurance Pty Ltd
    St.George Bank 1990 - 2008
    High profile executive role with the St.George Group's Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) captive operations. Responsible for day to day operations, including financial control, claims management, underwriting, policy, product development and investments. Gross annual premiums in excess of $100m and investments $450m. Key Achievements: • Originally, operations of the LMI business were carried out in Singapore. Following a change in APRA's policy regarding capital concessions it was necessary to close the operations in Singapore and set up a new Australian based insurance company. As a member of the steering committee was responsible for all financial aspects, underwriting and claims policies and procedures. Held numerous meetings with and delivered presentations to APRA. New company was set up ahead of schedule and under budget. Granted Fit and Proper Status by APRA. • Key presenter in team for global road shows to source new reinsurance providers, entailing financial presentations and negotiations with providers in Singapore, London, New York and Bermuda. This was an important part of the ongoing success of this business. • Relationship management with external auditors, APRA, actuaries, rating agencies and fund managers. Given the regulatory environment it was essential that strong relationships were built and maintained successfully. • Built a high performing team ensuring they were empowered to achieve personal, team and organisational goals. • Oversaw consistent growth and importance of this entity to the St. George Group via provision of strategic advice, investment policy, clear and accurate financial data and modelling and the refinement of underwriting and claims policies to ensure risk was maintained at a level that was acceptable to the Group. • Oversaw the closing down of the Singapore operations and exiting that jurisdiction.

Robert Owens Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Owens

What company does Robert Owens work for?

Robert Owens works for Australian Podiatry Association (Nsw & Act)

What is Robert Owens's role at the current company?

Robert Owens's current role is Company Director | Finance Executive | Governance | Strategy | Leadership | Stakeholder Engagement.

What schools did Robert Owens attend?

Robert Owens attended Australian Institute Of Company Directors, Cpa Australia, University Of Nsw.

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