Flex Manager
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Interim CFO

Interim CFO

Work Experience

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

• Internationally experienced FD, CFO and Interim Manager.
• Track record of successful interim realizations.
• Bilingual English / German, good Dutch, some French.
• Background in Manufacturing, Chemicals, Biotechnology, Shipping, Printing, Packaging and Office Supplies.
• Career in well-known UK, US and Dutch multinationals.
• Experienced in M&A, integrations, restructuring, turnaround and Private Equity/ VC environments.
• Numerous financing / refinancing activities for both debt and equity requirements.
• Implementation of Lean Management, Operational Excellence and Six-Sigma.
• Chartered Accountant with broad industry experience.
• Available for assignments in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and UK.



Interim CFO LBC Tank Terminals Mar 2014 – April 2015

Interim CFO to bridge vacant CFO position due to departure of incumbent management team who had failed in the preceding years to deliver on the strategy agreed in 2010. During this second period as Interim CFO of this organisation the focus was on restructuring the business to deliver results, re-work and re-submit the strategy for shareholder approval, including new equity funding of $500m and prepare the organization to deliver on the strategy to build-out strategic terminals. In parallel the ERP upgrade undertaken had entirely failed to deliver requiring total overhaul of business requirements, replacement of core team staff and external vendor ensuring organizational buy-in to the re-launched implementation and global roll-out.

Interim CFO Fu Sheng – EMIA Region Mar 2013 – July 2013

Interim CFO of newly acquired Industrial Compressor subsidiary in Germany with €70M Turnover, to integrate into the financial and reporting structure of the new Taiwanese parent FuSheng and its private equity backer Oaktree Capital. Focus on post-acquisition integration, IFRS conversion, TM1 & SAP Roll-Out from parent and transparency in financial reporting following cash call and substantial EBITDA shortfall against forecasts given on completion only weeks before.

Interim FD D S Smith Packaging Nov 2012 – Jan 2013

Interim FD to bridge post acquisition responsibilities of the €700M Packaging division in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, following internal promotion of incumbent and post acquisition re-organization.

Interim CFO & Joint MD Druck Chemie Oct 2011 – June 2012

Interim CFO of €85M German investment, by 3i, in a printing chemical & supplies industry leader. I was appointed to stabilize and transform the Finance, Controlling and IT functions to be “fit-for-purpose” in a challenging and dynamic business environment, including the acquisition and integration of three new entities. Almost all employees in these departments had left, or were serially absent requiring staffing up with interims in all areas to deal with day-to-day business, complete financial year-end and audit, implementation of numerous IT projects and improvement of processes. A new permanent team was recruited, with handover of fully functioning organization to the permanent CFO successor.


Interim CFO Beluga Group Feb 2011 to June 2011

Interim CFO of $500M German shipping subsidiary of US Investment Fund Oaktree Capital to stabilize the finances in advance of the arrival of a new permanent CFO. Shortly after the appointment, serious irregularities and fraudulent transactions were discovered. Ten senior managers were suspended, including five managers within the finance organisation, requiring immediate reconfiguring of organization whilst managing a critical cash situation. Within a matter of weeks the situation proved to be quite untenable and the business placed into administration and referred to the local Public Prosecutor for investigation and instigation of criminal proceedings against former managers. Whilst in administration, the business was restructured into a smaller, but sustainable, core business and hived out into a new legal entity.


Interim CFO LBC Tank Terminals Feb 2010 to Sept 2010

Interim CFO of global $250M French subsidiary of Challenger, an Australian investment fund, to stabilize finance function in Paris, re-establish controls and effective financial reporting. A new finance team was recruited and new HO established in Belgium. Regular financial reporting re-established including comprehensive over haul of all reporting processes, resolving many issues which had been neglected. Budget, Business Plan and Strategy developed and presented to shareholders and successful year end close and hand-over to permanent CFO.
This successful turnaround of a critical situation and timely delivery of a clean year-end was a crucial pre-requisite for further strategic investment. Confidence in the company was re-established and it is now well positioned to execute its aggressive growth and acquisition strategy. The company’s future was secured.


Interim CFO A B Enzymes Nov 2008 to Sept 2009

Interim CFO of €100M German subsidiary of Associated British Foods PLC, to stabilize the finance function which was in turmoil and almost entirely populated with interim managers after two years of rapid staff turnover. Serious and systemic control breakdowns were identified and further completely unexpected issues, far beyond the original brief, remediated. Initial exposure for 8 years under declared VAT, interest and penalties was significantly reduced after remediation of issues with partial pre-payment agreed with tax authorities and 12 months grace to remediate remainder, prior to audit. Had the company undergone a tax fraud audit with associated penalties (and possible custodial sentences for past directors), the company might not have survived. Critically, an immediate tax fraud investigation was avoided. Finance function restructured interim managers progressively replaced with permanent staff and handed on to newly recruited CFO as fully functioning department.


Interim Project Director Agfa Gevaert NV Aug 2006 to Feb 2008

Appointed to lead finance organization in Belgium, to implement the Agfa strategy to split into 3 legally separate €1B Business Units. Drop-down was achieved on time, with minimal interruption to the business, to position client strategically in its key markets. Successful implementation of key project to position client strategically in the market with two autonomous, legally separate BU’s enabling the parent company to pursue its divestment strategy with greater transparency and flexibility, and align management responsibilities more clearly with the respective Business Unit management.


Managing Director 2003 to date

Management Company set up to undertake Consultancy, Executive Search and Interim Management, assignments.

Education

CAREER SUMARY – Permanent roles

CFO Flexsys (Monsanto & Akzo-Nobel Joint Venture) - BE 1997 - 2003

$600m global Chemicals Joint Venture in Brussels with 17 chemical plants world-wide and 1300 employees. Appointed to pull together complex and diverse financial function and inject confidence for management, shareholders and lenders in a $600m turnover global joint venture in the rubber chemicals industry formed by Akzo Nobel and Monsanto, reporting directly to the CEO. As CFO, I had a wide-ranging financial and strategic remit, playing a pivotal role in driving value creation to become the market leader and only profitable major supplier in this highly competitive industry. I directed the full spectrum of finance functions including financial control, treasury, cash flow management, risk management, reporting, modeling, financial analysis, taxation, business planning, strategy and M&A.

• Rapidly re-established confidence of management and stakeholders.
• Re-established unity in a geographically and culturally diverse team.
• Refocused group strategy on profit growth and cash generation with focus on cost reduction.
• Implemented operational excellence and restructured operations to minimize the cost base.
• Led integration of supply chain with finance to create an effective global S&OP process.
• Secured funding for major projects and $200m committed multicurrency funding.
• Integrated global finance community to create 24-hour work cycles for global S&OP.
• Prepared company for exit from JV, preparing IM, managing vendor due diligence process.
• Presenting company to prospective purchasers and debt funding partners.
• Secured Strategic Investment status for new plant being constructed In Malaysia.


Vickers PLC; Management Buy Out; Samas Group NV - UK & NL 1985 - 1997

This was a continuous period of career development and promotion, commencing with Vickers, participating in an MBO and exit by sale to Samas NV. I moved to The Netherlands to progress my career with that company.

Finance Director €150m Office Supply Division in Amsterdam 1995 - 1997
Promoted following strategic alliance with John Menzies PLC to form £100m office supply JV, reporting to Group CEO as member of the Divisional Executive Management Board. I played central role in creation of this international division servicing retail (own & 3rd party) and B to B, secured synergy benefits and leveraged operational excellence, generating growth and gaining market share. Integrated new partner companies (66% owned) into group, prepared business plans & financial due diligence for joint venture and established the new division.

Finance Controller & Treasurer €500m Office Furniture Group in Amsterdam 1992 - 1995
Promoted to newly created function to institute effective financial control within this rapidly expanding, European market leader in office furniture and supply, reporting to group FD. I successful integrated numerous acquisitions and joint ventures into this rapidly expanding, market leading group in complex, multicultural organization. I maximized group performance in accordance with action plans, controlling downsizing of group companies during recession and improved tax planning. Obtained €50m unsecured mezzanine financing.

Finance Director £45m Office Furniture Company in London 1988 - 1992
Promoted to FD of £45m UK operating company (part of MBO), and in 1990 FD of the £60m combined post acquisition activities of Samas in the UK. Retained responsibility as Controller of £100m MBO vehicle from acquisition in 1988 from Vickers PLC until sold to Samas in 1990. This was a very successful management buy- out from Vickers and subsequent sale to Samas. I prepared the group for exit from the MBO, overseeing IM preparation and due diligence process and obtaining the £100m debt financing necessary for the leveraged buyout.

Finance Controller £120m Office Furniture Division in London 1985 - 1988
I joined this newly created £120m division in office furniture, operating in UK, Europe & US and integrated new German and Swiss companies into an expanding interna¬tional division, establishing controls and reporting, updating and automating management reporting. I conducted the strategic review jointly with the CEO which led to the decision by Vickers to divest, ultimately by MBO, in which I participated and played a central role.
KPMG Audit, Tax and M&A in Germany & UK 1981 - 1985
Senior Auditor in Munich office in Germany; Supervising Senior and Assistant Manager in a London office.


Kreston Reeves Chartered Accountants –UK 1978 - 1981
I qualified with this large and highly regarded practice, based in Canterbury, Kent.



PERSONAL DETAILS

Personal:- Born in Stuttgart, Germany, 23rd January 1956.

Nationality:- British

Education:- BA (Hon’s) in Accounting & Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

Qualifications:- FCA - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
MAPI - Association of Professional Interims.
MIIM - Institute of Interim Management.

Training:- Statistics; Computer Audit; Treasury; Lean Management; Sales & Operational Planning; Operational Excellence; Six Sigma; MS Excel, Words etc; IFRS and US GAAP.

Languages:- English, fluent German, good Dutch and basic French.




Skills

SPECTRUM OF FINANCE EXPERIENCE


Business Integration and IT

o Post acquisition integration of German, Swiss and US companies into UK group
o Post acquisition integration of German, Swiss and E. European companies into Dutch group
o Integration and synergy realization of newly created UK / Dutch Joint Venture
o Integration, restructuring and rationalization of a US / Dutch Joint Venture
o Integration and turn-around of companies purchased out of insolvency
o IT implementations and migrations in MFG Pro, Navision and SAP environments

Financial Management & Reporting

o Consolidation & Reporting to Dutch, UK and US GAAP & IFRS
o Implementation of effective reporting in numerous entities in Europe, Asia and Americas
o Cost reduction and restructuring operations to minimize the cost base
o Implemented KPI and Balanced Scorecard reporting
o Implementation of worldwide Operational Excellence and Sales & Operational Planning
o Detailed working capital management achieving significant inventory and receivable reductions
o Managing internal audit issues and external Forensic Audit of critical control breakdown
o Re-establishing Financial Controls in highly unstable situations

Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Re-organization

o Strategy development and implementation, creating only profitable supplier in its sector
o Participated in purchase into MBO of major manufacturing entity and subsequent trade sale
o Due diligence on various acquisitions in UK, Europe and USA
o Vendor due diligence on sale of global chemicals business
o Preparation of companies for divestment into MBO and to 3rd parties
o Creation and financial management of international joint ventures
o Restructuring and reorganizations, including closure of significant manufacturing facilities
o Restructuring organizations through administrative receivership / insolvency

Tax and Treasury

o Treasury and Risk Management including FX and interest hedging
o Raising significant debt and equity funding in international, multi-currency environments
o Managing investment in significant new facilities in Europe and Asia
o International tax planning and optimization of tax structures
o Remediated critical VAT errors, avoiding tax fraud investigation

Consultancy

o Business Angel consulting for SME companies requiring equity to fund expansion or business start-up
o Executive Search and Selection
o Advising and supporting private companies through due diligence and acquisition process




Languages

• Bilingual English / German, good Dutch, some French.

Other

PERSONAL DETAILS

Personal:- Born in Stuttgart, Germany, 23rd January 1956.

Nationality:- British

Education:- BA (Hon’s) in Accounting & Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury, England.

Qualifications:- FCA - Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
MAPI - Association of Professional Interims.
MIIM - Institute of Interim Management.

Training:- Statistics; Computer Audit; Treasury; Lean Management; Sales & Operational Planning; Operational Excellence; Six Sigma; MS Excel, Words etc; IFRS and US GAAP.


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