Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Strategic leadeship, finance and accounting expertise, honed over 20 years of experience in multiple industries. Enhancing multinational financial performance, with a focus on optimizing processes, which intertwines strong financial analysis skills with a strategic management approach. Adept in fostering collaborative teams, aligning accounting frameworks with human capital and organisational objectives. Ensuring robust financial control and spearheading process improvements that resonate across global operations.
Group Finance Director for a privately owned group of 9 CC’s involved in the retail and distribution of animal medicine and feed (total revenue R160 million) and 2 property trusts (commercial and residential) with a property investment portfolio of R45 million. Achievements - Designed and project managed a property portfolio conversion and development strategy from residential (sold 7) to commercial (purchased and developed 3) to increase net asset value by R14 million from 2014-2018. - Drove group market share growth. Secured one competitor acquisition (R5.9 million – giving group sole distribution of the Transkei region); negotiated one merger and opened two new branches during my term (110% ROI in 2 years). - Increased gross profit margins by 1.2% through implementing an automated feed manufacturing costing platform, ensuring maximum efficiency through automation and accurate mark up strategies. - Implemented a new accounting and IT system (converted from Sage Pastel to IBM AS400 I Series), which unified branches by division and created one inventory master file. This increased automation, accuracy, efficiency, reduced cost and improved reporting capability. - Reduced group income tax by R600 000 through implementing a membership reshuffle of 4 close corporations and opening a new company enabling use of small company tax rates.
Financial Controller for the Kensington Property Investment Portfolio team, consisting of 12 Special Purpose Vehicles associated with Residential Mortgage Backed Securities as well as 28 other companies associated with Investment Management, under the ownership of Investec plc (total value £2.5 billion).