Joy Spiropoulos-Lavers

Industrial lifting equipment & material handling systems group with €500m+ annual revenues
• Established and structured the Finance function for Middle East, India & China, managing approximately €15m in revenues. devising processes and spearheading the implementation of an ERP system to streamline operations and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Optimized Middle East region cash flows, reducing over-dues by 75% from €2m to €0.5m.
• Spearheaded integrated budgeting processes, resulting in a 35% revenue increase across Middle East projects.
• Implemented enhanced business processes and internal controls, yielding 21% margin improvement, and mitigating operational risks, notably in spare parts business.
• Produced comprehensive financial reports and audit documentation, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and accounting principles, while overseeing audits by external parties.
• Successfully executed data migration of acquired aluminum business from Metso Outotec SAP to REEL ERP system within a stringent one-month timeline.
• Oversaw ERP system integration for India & China and conducted training sessions for Project Managers, Procurement & HR staff, facilitating smooth transition and optimal system utilization.
• Provided adept guidance, training, and leadership to direct reports, fostering professional development and team cohesion.

Technology provider for metal and mineral processing industries with €1.3bn+ annual revenues
• Led controlling activities for the Al Taweelah Calcination Project ($100M, EGA) and other regional projects in the Middle East, overseeing cost control and risk mitigation.
• Responsible for project planning, including the creation of schedules, baselines, and budgets, as well as analyzing and preparing detailed integrated steering committee project dashboard status reports covering revenues, costs, resource capacity, utilization, cash flows, change orders, claims, and risks.
• Conducted rigorous due diligence and deviation analysis on identified risks and opportunities, paving the way for successful business expansion into Bahrain and Qatar & Sale of Aluminum Division to REEL.
• Achieved a 10% profit margin for the Al Taweelah Calcination Project ($100M, EGA) through rigorous cost management, supplier risk mitigation, and improved cash flow.
• Implemented SAP PS ERP Module system for the Middle East office, enhancing project reporting and analysis while reducing month-end closing downtime from one week to two days.
• Successfully reduced overdue payments for the Saudi entity from €3.1m to €0.6m within two months.
• Spearheaded the development of a streamlined payment approval process, reducing payment delays from 120 days to 45 days, thereby improving business efficiency.
• Facilitated negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors, reviewed contracts, & conducted audits along-side procurement dept to gain favorable prices, contract agreements, and mitigate against non-conformity or delays.

Construction & Civil Engineering company with £100m+ annual revenues
• Improved cash position by 65% utilizing the “Cash is King” initiative with close monitoring and regular project reviews with project managers & AR team.
• Developed the monthly group MIS report and performance dashboard to ensure greater visibility of project results, cost identification, and revenue & expense analysis.
• Led project review meetings to identify status, profitability, and risks.
• Coordinated with project and departmental managers to produce monthly forecasts and consolidation pack for reporting to UK Group.
• Implemented monthly audits and reviews to ensure forecasting accuracy, robust and efficient financial information.

Utilities - Thames Water’s Thames Tideway Tunnel - £4.0 bn investment Project
• Created & integrated the Change Management Reporting Tool “EcoSys” into the Monthly Management review process resulting in easier identification of project changes and approvals by the Steering Board.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams - HR, Delivery, IT, Finance & procurement to align financial initiatives, optimize business processes, and achieve overall organizational success.
• Created a Prime Contract dashboard for presenting project information to Thames Water steering group.
• Documented new business processes with flow charts to ensure consistency going forward.

• Led the transition of all Financial information from excel to Sage Line 50.
• Created & presented the monthly reporting pack to the board of directors.
• Planned and controlled the production of long- and medium-term financial planning, information and forecasts
• Overall responsibility for the monthly close process and provides guidance and
leadership to the General Ledger team in quickly resolving any issues arising from
processing anomalies
• Coordinated the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audit.
• Recruited and led the Finance team, developed staff performance and development by providing the necessary training to ensure required knowledge and competency was gained to perform effectively.

MS Dynamics GP Implementation