ian hardie

Sundus Recruitment Services (12 month rolling contract with Mubadala Group)
a) MDC Business Management Services Vice President - Accounts Payable
(January 2015 to current)

Mubadala Development Company Finance Manager
(July 2014 until launch of MDC BMS, when transaction processing team were moved))

MDC Business Management Services is a shared services company, established to support the Mubadala Group and allow it to run effectively and efficiently. BMS supports a wide spectrum of critical
business services, across the functions of Finance, HC, IT, Procurement, Office Support and Facility Management. The organization allows Group companies to focus on their core investment activities, while ensuring greater consistency and high-quality services in functional business management areas.

The following are the Key Responsibilities & Experience
• Head of the Accounts Payables process for currently 7 group companies, with a further 2 companies and their staff joining my team in the Shared Service during 2015.
• Managing, developing and mentoring a team of currently 10 and a manager
• Ensuring that up to date process and procedure documentation is maintained
• Continual review and monitoring of existing processes, procedures and systems, putting forward suggestions, with justification/ recommendation and where agreed, ensuring the subsequent development and implementation. Involved in the following initiatives -
o Launch of Electronic Payments using SWAPS and SWIFT
o Launch of an E-invoicing system
o Numerous system improvements and enhancements, ranging from changes to workflows to more efficient processing
• AP reporting and measurement against SLA’s and KPI’s, using various metrics.

b) Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company (a Mubadala Company) Interim Finance Director
(6 month maternity cover)

Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company manages the operations of Zayed Sports City, a role which includes overseeing and planning of capital investments and development of existing and new services.

The following are the Key Responsibilities & Experience
• Management of the finance function of the company
• Tight Monthly and Quarterly reporting to Mubadala
• Involved in tender processes
• Added value by identifying, challenging and changing a previous accounting methodology

c) Mubadala Development Company Divisional Financial Controller - Healthcare
(4 months cover for staff on secondment)

Mubadala is an investment and development company supporting the diversification of the UAE by investing in key social infrastructure and creating globally integrated industry sectors in Abu Dhabi.

The following are the Key Responsibilities & Experience
• Divisional Financial Controller for the Healthcare

Olive Group is a provider of innovative safety, security and technology solutions. They enable business and protect people essential services, critical assets and infrastructure for corporations, international organisations and governments in the world’s most demanding environments.

The following are the Key Responsibilities & Experience for the two roles

• Group Financial Accountant - reporting to Group Financial Controller
• Management and improvement of group balance sheet reconciliation process
• Management of intercompany reconciliation of 22 companies in the group
• Point of contact for auditors and managing the interim and year end audit process
• Finance Manager (New division) - reporting to Managing Director
• Development of proposal & presentation of budget pack for 2 new group companies
• Preparation and presentation of board pack at monthly board review meetings
• Bid preparation and attendance of commercial and client meetings

Sammon Group is an engineering construction company with its headquarters in Kilcock, Ireland and with operations in Abu Dhabi, Tripoli and London. They specialise in delivering total building solution of Construction, Project Management, Joinery & Fit-out, Facilities Management and Design & Build.

The following are the Key Responsibilities & Experience for the role

• Responsible for timely and accurate monthly financial reporting on all projects.
• Implementing and updating value added reports such as procurement efficiency and projects cost control.
• Coordinate statutory issues for the Abu Dhabi and Middle East offices
• Involved in implementation of a new ERP system.

I moved into the consultancy field to strengthen my existing skills and to gain more experience working in a range of different sectors, including the following:

a) NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement Finance Business Partner

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, a public sector body, supports the National Health Service (NHS) in transforming healthcare for patients and the public.

Key Responsibilities & Experience

• Provided management information, ad hoc analysis and reports to the business unit and senior management team, highlighting risks and opportunities to achieve their targets.
• Supported & challenged business in preparing robust budgets & forecasts.
• Provided advice in appraisal of projects, decision support & business case preparation.
• Developed & implementation of business processes to ensure good practice.

b) Supporta Professional Services Interim Head of Finance

Supporta Professional Services (“SPS”), one of two arms of Supporta plc (Turnover £60m), are a team of around 500 specialist consultants operating across several business sectors including land & property, architecture, engineering, outsourced services & systems to both the public & private sectors.

Key Responsibilities & Experience

• Reviewed, restructured and managed the centralised finance function with 10 direct reports
• Reviewed and reported on financial & operational issues identified in the business, resulting in improved efficiencies in the finance function, cost savings and improved profitability.
• Involved in due diligence audits & preparation of reports required for Divisional disposals
• Developed a comprehensive and complicated pricing model

c) Management Recruiters International Ltd Acting Finance & Operations Director

The company’s growth had stagnated and I was brought in to restructure and revitalise the business. I attended numerous international conferences and training in order to build a network of contacts and to rapidly learn the sector. During this time I:-

• improved the efficiency of consultants through implementation of KPI’s, restructuring remuneration packages, commission structures and incentives
• assisted in preparation of business cases and plans, budgets and forecasts, successfully used in requests for additional small business loans and funding from the bank
• managed the finances and operations of the business, reporting to the Managing Director

d) Manager Group Limited Acting Group Financial Controller

The Manager Group, with a turnover of approximately £50m, provides three core services; Business Manager - accountancy services for small to medium organisations, Freelance Manager - an efficient solution for freelance individuals & temporary workers to receive earnings, expenses & tax relief on expenses & Tax Manager - a specialist personal tax planning service tailored to individual needs.

The company identified numerous issues in the business and I was approached to take the lead on addressing and rectifying them. Due to the business’ rapid growth, there were inadequate controls in place and the financial affairs had been neglected. During this time I :-

• restructured the finance department, by recruiting new staff and amending staff roles
• introduced robust internal controls systems throughout the Group
• implemented a new accounting system and new Payroll Bureau System
• oversaw the completion of overdue year end audits, restatement of prior year financial statements and resolution of potentially costly vat audits for all the companies in the group
• implemented new monthly management information for the Group

e) Williams College London Lecturer
• Lectured ACCA foundation level part time, to mature foreign students