Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the United Kingdom and after completing five years in practice, worked in a number of senior finance and Director of Finance roles within the financial services industry. More recently Simon has worked in Professional services and the higher education sector. He is especially experienced in developing strong financial and business controls and processes, business partnering, cash flow forecasting, business plans, risk policies and procedures, whilst developing team members to take on more responsibility and grow their skills. Simon has experience both in a large corporate environment and in a smaller business setting. 

Simon is a strong relationship builder both internally and externally. Simon is also adaptable, working well either alone or as an effective team player. He is a highly conscientious and personable individual with a can-do attitude and an ability to always see the big picture, whilst also having a strong grasp for detail. Simon has a natural interest and enthusiasm to see a job through to a successful conclusion 

Over the course of his career, he has: 

• Business Planning – developed business plans to decide on whether and when to sell business segments and assets, and to determine the best strategic and tactical approach to business Operations. This helped maximise returns to stakeholders 

• Cash-flow – developed short and medium term cash-flow projections to enable business to understand in detail cash flow requirements. This determined policy for returning capital to stakeholders and wider treasury policy 

• Stakeholder Management – Provided insightful Management Information, Business Forecasts and ad hoc analyses explanations to key stakeholders, ensuring their continued support to the overall business plan 

• Due-Diligence – supported sale of medium sized businesses and business segments from a group of companies ensuring full financial and risk analysis. Also has experience of pricing business and asset acquisitions, together with purchaser due diligence 

• Finance Transformation – Designed finance and administrative functions to align with evolving strategic requirements including structural reorganisations. Ensured the right people were recruited and retained by providing effective leadership. Develop meaningful and timely Management Information and KPIs. Assessment of capabilities and efficiency of a Finance team, identifying skills gaps and developing solutions to move forward 

• Tax and VAT Management – Managed relationship with HMRC including commercial discussions and successful resolution of some high value bespoke matter 

• Due diligence
• System implementation
• System selection
• Business Analysis
• Business Process Improvement
• Business Strategies
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Modelling
• Financial Restructuring
• Financial Structuring
• People Management
• Management Accounts and KPIs
• Financial Forecasting
• Financial Coaching and Training
• Dispute resolution
• Investor relations

1. Financial Services
2. Professional services
3. Education