After five years I have retired as finance director of a £40m turnover manufacturing group, being part of a team which grew it from £26m.
I'm now in a position to share my skills and experiences for the benefit of others in business.
What I offer
Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
I work as a part time Finance Director for businesses that need more than an accountant. I will share the vast experience I've gained and the desirable skills that I've grown. I understand strategic development, the importance of cash management and how to interpretate the figures in your accounts.
Learn more
Mentoring
As a mentor I will help to discover the answers to questions that keep you awake at night, that nag at you during the day and wonder how you can achieve your goals.
I have developed and managed teams of people. I help individual team members grow in their roles so that they make a contribution.
Finance Department Structuring
I can review the present workings of a finance department and provide advice as to how efficiencies may be obtained. Change management must be carried out in an empathetic way to achieve positive results. Don't micro manage, trust people and empower them. I have achieved this several times.
Review Internal Controls
It is important for every business to have controls in place so that everyone involved in the business know that it is well managed.
Sales made must be reliable. Expenses incurred must be properly authorised. Stock movements must be properly documented and leakage prevented. Cash must be king.
Corporate Governance
As an experienced board member and college governor I know how to be compliant with the laws and regulations that apply.
I understand conflicts of interest, health and safety issues, recording sustainability, the issue of modern day slavery and the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Experiences
Leadership/Mentoring
My leadership skills have been honed over many years while in senior management roles, my approach is to have mutual trust. As a leader I was approachable and able to recognise and provide appropriate training needs and act as a mentor to those who wish to fulfil their potential and become the best.
Problem Solving
I have had to identify problems and provide solutions .
On one project I identified that the main problem for the business was the CEO. We had a lengthy debate resulting in him agreeing and resigning.
On receipt of this solution the main shareholder was greatly relieved and very grateful.
New ERP System
I led the introduction of Microsoft Dynamic 365 Finance and Operations ERP system for Interior Products Group Limited.
The holy grail was to identify the margin on various types of sale. Were we making super profits, a contribution to costs or making a loss? Knowing this increases profitability.
Energy Saving
To ensure that the company was not exposed to the huge increases in energy costs I worked with Eco Logic to be able to fix Gas and Electric prices with the energy provider Engie in the summer of 2021. This has led to savings of around £50,000 a month and will continue until 2029.
Invoice Posting Automation
Each month end there were delays while many invoices had to be posted. The manual system was creating stress. To alleviate this I introduced Rillion Software to read invoices using AI to learn the layout of invoices which were matched to purchase orders and posted or were emailed for approval.
Cashflow Management
I have actively managed the cashflow of the John Morris Holdings Limited group, with amazingly accurate forward projections but tending to be cautious.
Following increases in interest rates I worked with Barclays Bank to secure attractive deposit rates (0.05% below base) for funds on 32 day notice.
Insurance Negotiations
When I joined the business it became clear how under insured we were. I reviewed the value of everything to ensure that we had full cover. The premium increased, but 5 days after renewal a massive fire took place which resulted in a £1m claim with no restriction for being under insured. VFM.
Balance Sheet Engineering
The company's credit rating was good but could be better.
I spent 6 months working with the bank to restructure loans, lengthening timescales, showing very strong net current assets.
The result was a dramatic increase in the credit rating thus enabling improved credit terms to be negotiated.
Towards Net Zero
I have been developing the baseline to monitor changes in emissions. Got scope 1 and 2 sorted. I'm now working my way through which of the 15 categories of Scope 3 are relevant and how the data can be collected.
Anti Money Laundering Recommendations
In Paris in October 2001, I represented the UK when the FATF expanded its mandate to cover the financing of terrorist acts and organizations and took the important step of establishing eight (later nine) Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing.
My Other Interests
I'm:
an Independent Governor at Shrewsbury College. www.scg.ac.uk
hon finance director of a Community Interest Company, see https//thegamechangeproject.co.uk
a trustee of a charity Share Shrewsbury - deals with alcohol issues.
a member of the Rea Valley Oenological Research Group.
a Rotarian.
