EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Finance executive with 34 years of leadership experience across telecoms, media, retail, manufacturing and professional services in international markets. Proven ability to scale businesses, optimise financial structures, implement systems, secure funding and build high-value relationships. Expert in financial strategy, business modelling, risk management and board-level reporting for multinationals and startups

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

• Financial Strategy and Business Transformation – Driving financial efficiency and growth through structured strategies, international tax planning and legal entity restructuring

• Investment Readiness and Capital Raising – Leading due diligence, financial modelling and strategic funding plans to secure equity, loans and bank finance

• Risk Management and Governance – Implementing robust financial controls and compliance frameworks and overseeing liquidity, working capital and budget/forecast objectives

• Developing and Scaling Finance Functions and Systems – Implementing and integrating ERP, reporting, operational and third-party systems while building and leading effective finance teams

• Stakeholder, Management and Board Communication – Engaging executives, investors and partners with clear, data-driven financial reports, analysis and strategic insights

• Business Partnering – Supporting logistics, procurement, outsourcing, marketing and subsidiaries with financial expertise to drive operational efficiency

• Accounting and Reporting – Delivering single-entity financial and management reporting and group consolidations, with extensive experience in IFRS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mercurius International LLC | United Arab Emirates | Jan 2017 – Mar 2024

Chief Financial Officer (from Jul 2017) | Consultant (to Jun 2017)

Startup launched in 2017 to operate JYSK furniture franchise and own cafés in the UAE

• Implemented all ERP, e-commerce, IT and POS systems. Integrated ERP system with third-party logistics provider’s warehouse management system

• Established and led all financial operations, covering accounting, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, liquidity management, payroll, indirect tax compliance and financial controls

• Oversaw corporate governance, legal matters and key agreement negotiations, including franchise, sponsor, logistics and lease contracts

• Secured equity, loan and bank financing, managing due diligence, financial modelling, investment presentations and shareholder, subscription and loan agreements

Retail Arabia International (RAI) | United Arab Emirates | Oct 2015 – Jan 2017

Chief Financial Officer

Multi-brand retail group operating seven franchises across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, including Hamleys and Oscar de la Renta

• Led 16-person finance and IT team, overseeing all financial operations, IT systems and transaction processing

• Managed acute liquidity crisis, negotiating with suppliers to resume deliveries, working with banks on financing arrangements and prioritising cash flows

• Restructured and strengthened finance operations, improving efficiency, motivation and technical capability while rebuilding the accounting system for accurate and timely reporting

• Established corporate governance framework and implemented financial controls across the group

Sky International AG and Sky Broadband S.A. | Switzerland / Luxembourg | Apr 2007 – Aug 2015

Finance Director, Board Member (Jul 2011 - Aug 2015) | Interim General Manager (May 2010 - Jun 2011) | General Manager, Board Member (Apr 2007 – Apr 2010)

100% subsidiaries of Sky plc, Europe’s largest pay TV operator

• Led offshoring strategies for broadband, fixed-line telephony and global IP management

• Managed 10 staff across finance, market research, network, customer support and legal, overseeing VAT compliance and transaction processing

• Developed sustainable Luxembourg business model, correcting structural issues, securing senior executive approval and delivering £12M annual profit increase on £550M of sales. At end of Luxembourg arrangements, relocated operations to the UK, managed HR matters and closed office

• Led finance and operational aspects of international corporate restructuring and offshoring of Sky News International, including creating new Swiss legal entities, developing the business plan, launching operations, hiring staff and transferring global IP

AOL Europe Services S.à r.l. | Luxembourg | May 2003 – Mar 2007

Finance Director

Part of Time Warner Inc. taking advantage of EU VAT electronic services regulations to deliver €1.3 billion in annual internet sales to Germany, France and the UK

• Led all Luxembourg and key central financial operations including VAT processing and compliance, statutory financial reporting and UK HQ cost management

• Key role in AOL’s European restructuring, subsidiary sales and financial transition

• Implemented Europe-wide revenue assurance system, increasing revenue reporting accuracy by €30M in 3 months

• Managed finance transition of operations to Luxembourg and finalised system implementations

Husky Injection Molding Systems | Luxembourg | Jul 1997 – Apr 2003

Controller, Service and Sales Europe

Leading manufacturer of equipment for the plastics industry with global sales of $700 million

• Managed financial control and reporting for EMEA operations (sales of $200 million), all cross-campus statutory financial reporting, tax and audit requirements and all finance outsourcing

• Partnered with general managers to win multi-million-dollar turnkey projects and orders

• Set up and supervised operations in Russia, Spain, Denmark, South Africa and Turkey

• On joining, successfully turned around narrow-focused, demoralised finance department, expanding its remit to make it a valued business partner to division and corporate management

• Sponsored and implemented spare parts warranty / provisioning system upgrade, saving > $500k

• Part of international team that set up group’s global financial reporting and budgeting systems

Millicom International Cellular | Luxembourg | Jan 1994 – Jun 1997

Financial Reporting Accountant

Nasdaq-listed operator of cellular telephone services. By 1997, group’s 20 international joint ventures had more than 800,000 subscribers and revenues in excess of $325 million

• Managed operational group consolidation and financial reporting under IFRS and US GAAP

• Supported development of prospectuses for high-value share and deep discount bond issues

• Supported evaluation of key business systems and joint venture operations

KPMG Peat Marwick | United Kingdom | Aug 1989 - Dec 1993

Audit Senior

• Qualified as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and led audit engagements for corporate clients