Group Director of Finance & Strategy
Swiss International Group
Total years of experience :18 years, 6 Months
Presided over financial operations and strategic management for MEA portfolio of 27 business units ($50M+ p.a. revenue). Led talent, performance, and compensation evaluations of 37+ multinational and cross-functional senior finance professionals; delivered insights to Group President and CEO and to SBU managers to provide strategic oversight and ensure performance against KPIs. Partnered with executives to drive annual operating and capital budgeting processes and assess the feasibility of new programs/investments. Oversaw financial and management reporting and commercial finance activities for two core divisions.
• Enforced robust reporting structures for pre-launch and reopened business units, consolidating disparate reporting systems and embedding internal governance processes with SOPs for budgets, financial reporting, and accounting
• Coordinated organisational project management on initiatives spanning financial reporting/controls, labour control and cost and profitability management; drove portfolio development, expansion, and re-branding initiatives
• Drove continual system enhancements such as creating a specialised chart of accounts for new properties aligned to IFRS system to standardise accounting and reporting; installed new ERP to strengthen accountability
• Conducted investment appraisals, financial modelling and financial analytic decision making to ensure optimal deployment of capital investments, engineer growth and achieve target return on equity
• Set financial strategic initiatives to accelerate EBITDA growth: increased sales via strategic sales planning and helmed performance benchmarking, process improvement identification and inventory management optimisation
Orchestrated CFO /property management duties for $6.5M p.a. revenue business, overseeing financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, service initiatives, balanced scorecard performance and corporate policy compliance. Managed 11 HODs and 550+ associates to deliver business goals and led sales teams to maximise revenue growth/corporate client satisfaction. Analysed operational performance, productivity, and efficiency gaps to identify solutions to enhance value creation capabilities.
• Steered business through COVID-19 via crisis management and led post-COVID business re-opening strategy
• Set competitive strategies to cut operating expenses and grew post-COVID net profit margin from 11% to 23%
• Overhauled performance levels to attain GRI (Global Review Index) score increment of 96% (exceeding 80% average)
• Chaired key projects: built loyalty program generating $750K revenue in eight months and launched two new outlets
• Devised push/pull promotional strategy to increases market share by 35% and market penetration by 125%
Oversaw financial operations for a $100M multi-channel firm. Owned finance and accounting functions, presiding over organisational financial monitoring, C-Suite reporting (reconciliations/cash flow forecasts/financial statements), fiscal reporting, KPI implementation, risk management, investment decision appraisal, internal audits, cash and liquidity management, fundraising evaluations, goal setting/tracking, strategic budget management and financial accounting (general ledger, fixed assets, accounts payable and accounts receivable). Served on the leadership team to communicate strategic recommendations to CEOs/BODs and shape long-term financial planning. Devised all operational objectives, margin maintenance, and expense control strategies and aligned the development/implementation of operational plans with the company’s vision, mission, and corporate objectives. Led stakeholder relations with financial institutions and suppliers.
• Built financial/administrative functions for financial reporting, set policies and procedures to secure sound financial management/control and developed IFRS compliant financial reporting platform to ensure regulatory compliance
• Grew revenue from $25.3M ($3.4M operating loss 2017/18) in 2019/20 to $27.6M+ ($4.8M EBITA) and embedded scalable operations to support sustainable market growth whilst surpassing company revenue forecasts for the year
• Restructured departments and built new policies/processes to reduce payroll by $500K and overheads by $150K
• Headed all financial, purchasing, IT and HRD functions and coached and improved cross-functional team of 45
• Supervised revenue generation, expenditures, and strategic planning to ensure business lines operated within budget; optimised forecasting and met revenue projections ($25.9M 2019/20) and net income target ($1.7M above forecast)
• Guided major development project from startup phase: prepared operational budget, five-year capital budget plan and operation projections, set up ERP, prepared job descriptions and trained finance and allied department employees
• Carried out key initiatives: attracted and developed finance talent, consolidated finance activities in tax, treasury, and corporate accounting and accelerated cash flows by $120K via improved tax planning (20/21 financial year)
• Utilised financial planning, contracts/procurement, debt, and capital raising experience to facilitate business growth
Served as a transformative financial leader overseeing multimillion-dollar budget management and effective resource allocation to exceed profit and revenue goals. Monitored expenditure, cash flow and financial investments, interpreted complex financial data, chaired financial activities and ensured overall tax/regulatory compliance for seven strategic business units (SBU business portfolio)
• Spearheaded turnaround of hotel enterprise generating $14M revenue; increased revenue +14%, gross margin +13% and operating income +100%, surpassing productivity goals by $2.7M
• Reduce operating expenses by $1M via cost centre restructure by leading operational excellence programme
• Led and streamlined corporate team, reducing workload by 30% and headcount by 40% ($320K p.a. savings)
• Formed centralised procurement team to accomplish $700K+ savings (2018)
• Conceptualised labour efficiency initiatives with unit GM to increase productivity 13% YOY; reduced inventory holding cost by 35% to enable higher ROI and guided strategic initiatives to secure EBITDA growth of +12% YTD
• Set new accounting procedures to reduce close cycle timeline by 50% and rolled out unit-wide financial reporting systems, forecasting, budgeting, and cost containment procedures to reduce month-end reporting time by 50%
• Held accountability of day-to-day accounting functions, integrated finance operations, managed forecast, budget as well as tax matters. Developed financial reports and ensured overall financial stability. Evaluated technical accounting issues for regulatory compliance.
• Managed all aspects of financial statement preparation, including monthly close process, trial balance, balance sheets reconciliations, and audit support, and preparing and presenting reports to management
• Co-managed business franchise ($8M revenue) and constructed group growth strategy covering 11 diverse SBUs
• Managed $18M+ high-growth investment portfolio and directed $8.7M acquisition/expansion of franchise business
• Transformed through financial restructuring and rolling out a new operating philosophy that ramped-up operating margins from 31% to 53%
• Achieved all investment objectives and reduced operating expense by 21% annually utilizing a highly analytical and strategic thinking approach
Tracked company's financial status and performance to identify areas for potential improvement. Sourced methods to minimise financial risk. Researched and analysed financial reports along with market trends. Offered insightful information and expectations to senior executives to aid in long-term and short-term decision making. Measured financial data and prepared monthly and annual reports.
Supervise financial department staff, including accountants and financial assistants. Offered updates and improvements for accounting systems such as payroll and invoicing. Assisted CFO in presenting reports to senior executives, stakeholders, and board members.