Alex McCarthy

FTSE50 Divisional Finance Director | Commercial Finance, FP&A, M&A & Regulatory Finance | Utilities | Qualified Accountant (CIMA)

Royal Sutton Coldfield, England, United Kingdom

About

Strategic finance leader with a distinctive set of skills gained in an £9bn market cap, sector-leading utility provider, with an early career in a Big 4 professional services firm. Strong track record of building teams and developing talent across a variety of finance roles, including commercial finance, FP&A, M&A, regulatory finance, business intelligence and internal audit.

Experience

  • Severn Trent (Full-time · 14 yrs 10 mos)
    • Finance Director - Regulated Operations
      May 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Reporting to the Group CFO and leading a team of over 50 finance professionals, I have P&L responsibility for the Group’s largest division, Severn Trent Water (STW), including its regulated revenue (c.£2bn) and the operational expenditure of the Operations and Customer directorates (c.£1bn; c.90% of total).

    • Group Head of FP&A
      Jul 2020 - Jun 2023 · 3 yrs

      Reporting to the Group CFO and leading a team of c.20, I was responsible for the financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning for the Group. Additional responsibilities included Remuneration Committee reporting and partnering the Chief Engineer and head office functions.

    • Group FP&A Manager
      Oct 2018 - Jun 2020 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Responsible for managing the forecasting and long-term planning for the Group.

  • IT Risk & Assurance - Associate to Manager at Ernst & Young
    Oct 2005 - Aug 2011 · 5 yrs 11 mos

    Starting on the graduate scheme, held various roles within the IT Risk Assurance practice, culminating in promotion to Manager. Included a two-year secondment to Sony Ericsson, headquartered in Lund, Sweden. Key achievements: - Lead IT Audit Manager for the global audit of BP Plc, a FTSE10 company and EY’s largest UK audit by revenue at that time. - Two-year secondment to Sony Ericsson, headquartered in Sweden, to assist in their Sarbanes Oxley controls preparation. - Participant in EY’s Accelerated Leadership Programme, which looks to accelerate the development of potential future Partners and Directors within the firm.