Chief Financial Officer
Tahseel
Total years of experience :29 years, 7 Months
Tahseel is the largest, and one of the oldest, receivables management firms in the UAE. OSG International is the family office of a senior Emirati family.
My project role, acting as CFO across both firms, and directly reporting to His Excellency, has been to transform and restructure OSG International’s interests in Tahseel and related firms, and prepare it for future operations in multiple countries. I created a culture of FP&A excellence and drove an analysis & market intelligence led review of the whole investment portfolio, revised its structure and direction, briefed and managed external legal services, led direct negotiations with senior executives of the counterparties, and brought all parties and documents to the table for a successful completion.
Paprika Capital provides FP&A analyses including analysis of strategic plans, operational KPIs and growth strategies, senior business leader counsel and strategic guidance, program management, transformation & change management, systems & technology analysis, advisory and fund-raising services to technology, services, and sustainable industries firms, those seeking a grounded and realistic transformation experience, and those seeking to access the markets of the Middle East.
Key Achievements:
• Brought four Australian Agtech and Biotech firms to the GCC and led negotiations for distribution, structuring, business models etc. ~$50M+ over 3-5 years
• Portfolio acquisitions to a leading Indigenous NFP expanding into regional Australia. ~$10M over 3-5 years
• Long term gap analysis & change management for a Top 50 global university
NBY is a prestigious indigenous organisation with a $107m asset portfolio across real estate, hospitality, agriculture, waste management, land management and social services.
I created the CFO function for NBY, led all strategic planning, financial planning & analysis, design of KPIs across business functions, analysis of business risks & opportunities, restructured the Finance team and systems, rebuilt governance protocols, upgraded the IT services function and initiated a new investment strategy. I also led and completed due diligence for two acquisitions - $10m & $12m, and negotiated the buyback of a 20k head cattle station - $30m
YBAK is a major family conglomerate, with operations across the Middle East, East and Southern Africa and the Subcontinent. It consists of 7 major divisions being Shipping, Logistics, Travel, Machinery, Oil & Gas Services, Power & Industrial Products, and Real Estate, plus an additional 60+ JV’s with blue chip local and international partners. Rev. $3 billion with ~4000 staff.
I reported to the Group CFO and led all FP&A, project and change management, divisional investments and integration, management and financial reporting, organisational transformation, treasury, and insurance. The mandate was to transform the Group through business partnering, consulting business function leaders, supporting decision-making with credible, relevant, timely and accessible analysis, and creating a strong evidence-based strategic plan.
Key Achievements
• Overhauled the labour services model, staffing, and structure for Real Estate (facilities management, construction), and Group IT (outsourced service provision of IT from YBAK)
• Transformed the Construction Machinery division for better fleet management & new revenue channels in maintenance & spares supply for an impact of $4.1m
- Led Shipping division in 4 international acquisitions, plus new global ERP system, and was executive director of S5 Global (4th largest global ships agency), organic growth of $5.8m
• Created Group Shared Services function along with a business control FP&A team representing each division and sitting as their CEO’s right-hand staffer - reduced 21% of accounting staff, 8-day improvement in transaction processing times
• Created a comprehensive Group reporting suite and process, led all Board Finance reporting, introduced new Finance ERP and reporting methodology in co-operation with divisional leaders which transformed knowledge of the business
Thuraya (now part of Yahsat) is a global mobile satellite service provider similar to Optus, with two geostationary satellites providing off grid coverage to 220, 000 users across 140 countries.
I led all reporting and business case analysis, modelled key and strategic initiatives, led product and price modelling, consulted with leaders across the organisation on major asset programmes modelling (e.g. satellite fleet construction, new handset lines manufacturing & software contracts).
I led my own advisory firm proving consultative strategic services for FP&A analysis, business case analysis, financial reporting needs etc. to mid-size companies. Selected mandates included:
• Audio Visual Services ($50m SME) - finance function review and process optimisation
• Fintech ($3m startup) - finance structure creation, built IM documentation
• Fintech ($2m startup) - finance structure creation, built IM documentation
The premier Broadcast Satellite Media operator in Australia. A joint venture between Australian investors and France Telecom. Responsible for vast majority of incoming and outgoing sports transmissions.
I played a key role in driving revenue per head from $700k to $1000k. I halved staff churn, halved debtor days and tripled available cash. Satellite capacity negotiations, contract standardisation and business development activities increased EBITDA by 60%
Senior IFRS Consultant at Abbey National Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland where I designed and implemented the IFRS transition programmes in liaison with senior bank executives to achieve a profitable change from UK GAAP to IFRS. Combined net positive impacts of IFRS on revenue that were identified as part of the team’s analysis amounted to £150m.
Interim CFO at Callserve, a VOIP Telecoms Company with a staff of 30. The selection and implementation of a new finance system and team to handle growth saved 10% on operating. The streamlining of finance and HR processes likewise saved 1, 000 man-hours across a 5-person team and increased margins by 5%.
Alpha Telecom was the leading long distance telecoms in the UK with revenues of £40 million in 2002 I produced the strategic budgets, business plans, 5 year plan, company vision statements and reporting thereof to the planning committee and senior executives, along with management of the analysis & recovery team and Treasury planning.
Management of the budget process for 6 group companies across Europe achieved an improvement of 3% on net margin. As Finance lead on the Business Development and Planning committee I helped bring in 12 new products (projected revenues of £16m revenue for 2003, £70m 2004, £120m 2005).
Europe*Star was a joint venture between two world class satellite delivery firms, Alcatel Space and Loral Space and Communications. I recruited the Finance team, selected and implemented the accounting system, performed monthly report and audit liaison tasks as well as the operational accounting requirements as the team grew. Produced the monthly management reporting, budget & audit pack preparation, project accounting for satellite subsystems etc.
• Morrison Murray - Audit manager completing my chartered accountancy qualification. Morrison Murray are a Moore Stephens affiliate with national clients around South Africa
Qualification as a Chartered Accountant in Australia
Qualification as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa
Hons. degree
Bachelor of Commerce Honours Chartered Accountant South Africa Chartered Accountant Australia