Past Case Studies and Experience
Financial Health Check for SME Business
Conducted a financial health check for a West Midlands based SME business covering a business strategy critique, financial management, budgetary systems and risk management. Together, they collectively contributed to optimising business performance.
Financial Management for Government Body
Created and introduced budget monitoring top down for senior managers and bottom up for junior administrative staff. Responsible for budget setting and held several training sessions with guidance for non-finance managers on devolved budgeting. Created non-financial information and analysis to improve operational and strategic decision-making and was responsible for creating £1m year on year savings and also delivering £2.5m payroll savings.
Business Briefing for SME development in Barbados
Provided high level briefing for a client, who was invited to Barbados by the national government, to advise on the creation and development of a business infrastructure for small and medium size businesses. Part of the briefing covered competitive strategy, competitive advantage of nations and macro-economics.
SME Presentation for Institute of Business Advisers
Was one of three profiled speakers at the Institute of Business Advisers to do a motivational talk about how they, as Business Advisers, could use finance to facilitate small and medium-sized businesses (see embedded Powerpoint presentation link).
Financial Appraisals for public sector contracts
Evaluated over 400 Financial Appraisals / Assessments of tender applications between £200,000 and £20m for UK and Foreign public limited / private companies on behalf of a government department and its agencies’. Tender applications were assessed where they failed the appraisal model, which scored on the applicant’s solvency risk based on the provided financial accounts. Over 500 tender applications were processed during duration of role
Government Project Adviser
Financial Adviser to a government agency’s Project Board for all financial planning, budgeting, benefits, risks and evaluation of a telecommunications Project. This project related to an established secure telecommunications platform for use by the emergency services in the event of a single command structure and effective coordination on the ground.
Strategic Business Planning
Contributed to long term strategic planning of a government agency in its transition from being a local authority based organisation to a non-departmental public body within the control of Home Office. Applied long term governmental experience to advise on the increased governmental control framework effects in the long term, long term budgetary planning vis-à-vis public services agreements, changes in governance (including the make up of the Board) and funding, higher financial and non-financial reporting requirements.
Staff Costings and Change Management
Financial Adviser for a Staff Harmonisation change management initiative of a government body covering the restructuring of 1,600 front-line worker and administrative grades across 166 offices costing some £6m on top of the £27m budget. Prepared detailed written submission comprising brief, budget, spreadsheet analysis and assumptions for approval. Results were presented to and fully endorsed by Executive Directors, Board Members, parent government department and HM Treasury.
Evaluation of Bridge / Tunnel Toll Applications for Government Ministers
Evaluated several local authority applications including Tyne Tunnel and Humber Bridge, which came via Parliament and Ministers, to raise public bridge / tunnels tolls. This assignment was carried out by evaluating road traffic history and projections, revenue history and projections, and determining statutory authority to increase. Professional advice on the viability of the tolls’ increase accepted in full.
Risk Manager for a Government Body
Developed a zero-based risk management approach for government department, authored Risk Management Strategy and Framework for a large government department, which was fully endorsed by the Audit Committee. Established a 24 Hour Whistleblower’s Telephone Service for stronger control assurance. Managed regional training sessions and organised risk management workshops for Executive Directors, Regional Managers, Business Managers - to support corporate Risk Strategy and Framework. Contributed to overall course / workshop design and responsible for formal responses to Internal and External Auditors and regular reporting to Treasury
Merger of Finance Teams
One of two authors who conducted for the Director of Operations and Finance, Head of Human Resources and Head of Finance a business case, costings and savings for the merger and relocation of two Finance teams into one office to service the regional and headquarter financial needs. The recommendations raised were carried by all stakeholders and was implemented in full.
Fleet Management
Corporate Fleet Manager for commercial fleet provision with the UK No.1 Fleet contract provider. Led negotiations and, subject to agreed variations between the different parties, reached contractual agreement. Subsequent to Contract Manager appointment, developed corporate benefits policy and procedures for vehicle leases which were then subject to legal due diligence by legal advisers, implemented payroll guidelines and set up delegated authorities and controls for Finance Committee and Chief Executive approval. Contract had coverage for up to 1,600 vehicles worth £6 million per annum.
Vehicle Insurance and Car Hire
Contract Manager for corporate comprehensive insurance cover for leased vehicles and short term spot hire cars. Led negotiations for interim contract provision with market suppliers.
Fraud and Counter / Fraud
Formulated the Fraud Policy and associated investigation techniques and financial management policies; these were subsequently endorsed by the Audit Committee and the Board and were fully adopted in the government body. Training sessions were also organised and delivered across the government body in tandem with raising awareness of risk management, fraud and internal controls using ‘all staff’ messages and staff bulletins.
Banking Systems Review
Following the merger of the Departments of the Environment, Transport to form Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, in the role as Department’s Banker, undertook a high level confidential Banking Systems Review for departmental bank accounts, whose revenues turned over £60bn per annum. The assignment involved reviewing and making recommendations for the merger of two systems of accounts payable, employee expenses, accounts receivables and general ledger on the accounting system side; optimising timing and forecasting of £5bn monthly cashflow requirements via automating banking reconciliations for HM Treasury Debt Management Office, handling / reliable forecasting of the largest revenue areas like non-domestic rates and rate support grant, managing corporate banking relations and requirements including Bank of England, Office of the Paymaster General and a commercial bank.
Internal Control Assurance
Project managed a national system of internal controls and returns across 166 offices and 2,300 staff for national budget holders within a PRINCE2 controlled environment in support of the Annual Accounts’ Statement on internal Control. Authored Finance Manual of financial policies and procedures and managed delivery of training to 300 regional staff.
Finance Director, Deeds of Assumption Plc
Finance Director of public limited company, responsible for managing £25m income per annum, prepare plc annual report and accounts, make board presentations and liaise with external auditors. Public Limited Company was created to take on British Rail’s debt shortly after BR’s privatisation. Annual report and accounts subsequently achieved unqualified status for two years.
Payroll Management
Payroll Manager for a government body of 2,200 staff at a cost of £61m. Responsible for all payroll matters, including payroll assurance, tax assurance, counter fraud measures, payroll policies and procedures, staff costs disclosures during annual report and accounts.
Financial Planning
Involvement: Was part of senior finance team of a government department involved with putting together the overall budget bid vis-à-vis the Public Service Agreement and Spending review targets, which led to a significant funding increase. Advised on budgetary performance targets i.e. the linking of budgetary performance to service delivery outputs and outcomes of the government’s wider political agenda.
Estates Business Cases
Evaluated and signed off estate business cases of a government department involving transactions of over £1m for the relocating and acquisition of new regional offices and headquarters.
Contract Management
Contract managed several high profile corporate contracts for government body as Acting / Assistant Finance Director, Head of Internal Audit, Head of Payroll and Risk Manager. Negotiated contract variations, enforcing contractual requirements, penalties and determining monthly performance targets for reporting. Contributed to key contractual deliverables for overall service delivery and have undertaken several critiques of the terms and conditions of contractual conflicts for resolution.
Freight Forwarding Grant Applications
Evaluated and made recommendations to Government Ministers commercial business plans and financial accounts submitted by private sector companies for FFG grant applications to develop sites / terminals for the forwarding of freight. |
