I am a Financial Executive (ACA) with demonstrated commitment to delivering exceptional empathetic and technical support across international industry sectors. Over the last twenty-six years I have contributed significantly to the development of multinational organisations, using my global experience and acumen in Financial Accountancy, Management Accounting, Project Costing, Systems Implementation, Budgetary Control, Treasury, Taxation and Audit to grow the company's profit and revenue. My current role as Finance Director for Five Forty Aviation Ltd collaborates and works autonomously across departments to implement financial decisions with professional discretion.Throughout my career, I have worked diligently to build legacies of inclusion, excellence, and growth in Africa and Europe. I pursue solutions and initiatives to strengthen the work of colleagues and clientele on all levels of operations whilst navigating highly complex landscapes to reduce costs and drive increased revenue. Having recently returned to England I would like to use my expertise as Head of Finance to invest in the sustainability and potential of UK-based businesses.My main areas of expertise include:• ERP and Financial Reporting Systems - implementation and development• Cost control and reduction• Financial Modelling for both businesses and projects with sensitivity analysis• Cash flow forecasting and management• IFRS implementation and compliance• Statutory reporting and external audit lead• Internal controls and procedures - implementation and documentation• Corporate Taxation and VAT returns• Internal Audit - implementation and development• Stock control and fixed asset management• Automation of accounting processes• Variance analysis and investigation• Month end balance sheet reconciliations• Due diligence for investment purposes• Bank financing and restructuring• Financial Accounting• Payroll processing• Procurement and supply chain management• Implementation of Revenue Accounting and Revenue Management softwarePlease connect with me. I'm always eager to expand my contacts' network.Thank you.
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Chief Finance OfficerFly540 Aviation Ltd Feb 2008 - Dec 2021Nairobi, KenyaFive Forty Aviation Ltd (Fly540) - a privately-owned East-African airline headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with operations in Kenya and Tanzania and a turnover of approximately US$ 28,000,000 in 2019. Previous operations included South Sudan and Uganda.• The African Point-of-Contact for the acquisition of Lonrho Aviation (BVI) Limited and Fly540 by Rubicon Diversified Investments Plc (subsequently renamed Fastjet PLC) in June 2012. Business models were reviewed by Lufthansa Consulting.• Governed four start-up airlines in Angola, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda for Lonrho plc Group.• Leadership of over 35 members of staff (pre-COVID), working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and majority shareholder.• Drafted and implemented airline-specific Finance, Accounting, Internal Audit and Information Technology Procedures to improve the efficiency and accuracy of company reporting.• Developed iPad-based applications for pilots to verify fuel usage, flight time and log pilot hours alongside landing, navigation and ground-handling provisions.• Orchestrated and monitored changes in accounting software to Sage Pastel Evolution for both companies, improving the accuracy and management of all information leading to the automation of route and sales office profits. • Introduced Revenue Accounting using VectisPRA which increased the timeliness and accuracy of sales and revenue information.• Took on a more commercial role following the departure of the Commercial Director, leading to an increase in the average net revenue per sector of nearly 10% through revising the fares, introducing additional fare classes and closely monitoring daily sales.• Resolved historical accounts reconciliation issues.• Produced three year rolling profit and loss account and cash flow forecasts by route.• Implemented system for submission and claim for complex VAT refund. • Management accounts produced by the 10th working day, with analysis of route profits and sales reports. -
Chief Financial OfficerEast African Safari Air Mar 2012 - Jul 2020Nairobi, KenyaEast African Safari Air Express Limited - a privately-owned East-African airline headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with operations in Kenya, Comoros and Somalia.• Changed the accounting software to Sage Pastel Evolution in order to allow the implementation of systems already in place in Fly540.• Oversaw the changeover of Central Reservation System to a modern cloud-based system. -
Business OwnerBlix Inn Limited (Trading As Purdy Arms) Jul 2012 - Jun 2018Nairobi, KenyaPurdy Arms was a valued, successful Bar, Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast at the centre of the community in Karen which was owned by my wife and I. • Achieved sales of over US$ 1,000,000 per year, regularly serving over 700 covers on a Sunday.• Recognised as one of the best restaurants in Nairobi, consistently rated in the top 10 on Tripadvisor.• Hosted concerts by local artists as well as Grammy-award winning artist, Joss Stone and English Folk-Punk band Ferocious Dog.• Brought the Faulty Towers Dining Experience to Kenya for the first time.• Obtained one of only 10 brewing licences awarded at the time, which enabled the company to open and sustain a micro-brewery.• Brought UB40, featuring Ali and Astro, to Kenya in February 2020 for a concert attended by the President of the country.
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Chief Finance OfficerUnited Geophysical Corporation Ltd Apr 2005 - Feb 2008
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Financial ControllerUnited Geophysical Corporation Ltd Feb 2004 - Mar 2005Lagos, NigeriaUnited Geophysical Corporation Ltd (UGNL) - a mineral exploration company group conducting seismic surveys for major oil companies such as Shell and Agip. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria with approximately 4,600 direct and sub-contracted employees.• Reduced head office overheads by over 50% by reviewing and writing detailed analysis of all costs and operations. This included a reduction in the number of ex-patriate staff in the accounts department from 3 to 1 though the training and promotion of local Nigerian staff.• Renegotiated bank finance and monitored cash flow which enabled the company to reduce borrowing requirements to their lowest position since the company was incorporated in 1996.• Improved and managed the internal audit department, with governance over setting-up procedural and reporting systems which resulted in an early detection of fraud and irregularities. These continued target audits provided the company with an effective deterrent system and directly improved operation and revenues.• Responsible for the finance side of negotiations with the Government owned Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) on joint venture projects.• Produced management accounts by the 10th of each month, preparing and reporting upon the rolling budget by the 20th of each month.
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General Manager FinanceRegional Air Feb 2000 - Jan 2004Nairobi, KenyaRegional Air - A start-up jet airline inaugurated on 15th May 2000, operating three Boeing 737-200s with an annual turnover in excess of US$ 20,000,000. Regional Air was awarded the 11th British Airways Franchise and 3rd British Airways Franchise in Africa on 1st July 2001. Regional Air flew to Asmara, Djibouti, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as operating domestically within Kenya. • Recruited all fifteen members of the accounts department. • Set up all accounts and software system controls.• Visited outstations to review and motivate General Sales Agents.• Performed route evaluation on all prospective new routes.• Responsible for budget and forecasts for the British Airways franchise award.
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Chief Financial OfficerYaya Towers Ltd 1998 - 2000Nairobi, KenyaYaya Towers Ltd - a well-known shopping mall and apartment centre complex with over one hundred tenants and fifty members of staff.• Responsible for bringing the statutory accounts up to date which were 10 years in arrears. • Investigating and reporting on mismanagement of both companies by senior personnel for use in a court case. • Discovered fraud due to deliberate misstatement of the square footage occupied by shop tenants.• Mall Manager for one year, governing the beginning of the Mall's refurbishment and change in tenants. • Identified and negotiated with key shops in Nairobi to become tenants in the Mall and improve the tenant mix. • Increased Mall revenue through increased rents, goodwill payments and hiring out of common areas.• Increased fixed deposit income through co-ordination of the deposits held by the Shopping Mall and Apartment complexes. • Held first tenants meeting with all shop tenants in order to unify them and implement ways to increase footfall through the Mall.
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General Manager FinanceBarsirim Investments Ltd 1995 - 1998Nairobi, KenyaBarsirim Investments Ltd - a holding company of a diversified group headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.• Undertook various ad-hoc internal audit, consultancy, and management assignments within the group's companies throughout Kenya. Notable achievements include:• Alternate Director for lift service, modernisation, and installation company; • Discovered substantial fraud by Managing Director and accounts staff who were taking unathorised advances; • Brought accounts up to date which were five years in arrears. • Lead the implementation of Sage Line 50 accounting software. • Conducted union negotiations on behalf of the company. • Oversaw the sale of the house in which the company operated in order to re-finance the company. • Reduced outstanding debtors to 60 days. • Prepared budget and cash flow forecasts for approval of bank overdraft. • Recruitment and training of Financial Controller.• Conducted fraud investigation at an animal feed manufacturers in Nakuru which led to the admission of US$ 150,000 by the Managing Director.• Completed the due diligence review for the purchase of a mining company from the Government of Kenya in the Kerio Valley near Eldoret. • Monitored the harvests for a number of farms in Eldoret to prevent any theft, leading to a 100% increase in sales compared to previous years. This allowed the farms to repay long outstanding loans.• Finance Manager for a Dairy Farm in Eldoret, with responsibilities for management accounts, payroll, budget and cash flows. • Liaised with the Farm Manager to monitor monthly expenditure and obtain competitive bids for all purchases. • Periodically managed the farm in the absence of a Farm Manager. • Conducted investigation into fraud at a Shoe Shop and discovered collusive fraud between the supplier and shop manager.
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Audit SeniorKpmg 1991 - 1995Derby, England, United Kingdom• Planning and controlling both interim and final audit assignments for companies of various sizes ranging from public limited companies to small local companies in the Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Retail and Engineering Sectors. • Member of the Corporate Finance team responsible for the successful refloatation of Geevor plc (later known as Coal Investments plc) on the UK Stock Exchange. • Working capital review for the acquisition of lease and license of Silverdale Colliery by Coal Investments plc.• Member of a team of Administrative Receivers responsible for running a maintenance / security / cleaning company until successfully sold as a going concern.
Robert Davidson Education Details
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Allestree Woodlands School, Derby4 A-Levels & 10 O-Levels
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Davidson
What is Robert Davidson's role at the current company?
Robert Davidson's current role is Head Financial Executive • 26+Years of Demonstrated Commitment across International Airline, Geophysical Corporation and Investment Industry Sectors..
What schools did Robert Davidson attend?
Robert Davidson attended University Of Nottingham, Allestree Woodlands School, Derby.
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