Who am I?
I gained my ACA qualification 10 years ago through Grant Thornton. Following qualification, I moved straight into industry working my way from Financial Accountant to Financial Controller there. Since then I have had various roles both from heading up the F,P&A team for the European division at Merlin Entertainments (52 sites, £100m turnover, £200m debt), to Group FC for a large boutique hotel Group along the South coast (12 sites, £40m turnover, £90m debt) before being Group FD for an SME where we grew the turnover from £6m to £12m within the space of 12 months through acquisition and some organic growth.
Throughout my time at these organisations I have developed a wide variety of skills namely:
- Raising and drawing down funding for acquisitions and the fit out costs for property move
- Acquisitions – Managed the Due Diligence and then integration afterwards
- Financial Modelling for scenario and sensitivity analysis
- Building and implementing management account, budget, forecast and business plan packs
- Cash flow management
Outside of work I am a keen sailor of both dinghies and yachts. I have also taken part in triathlons and half marathons.