Kurogo

Responsible for crafting, spearheading and executing client campaign strategies across platforms, tracking and analysing client content performance and principal client contact.

Account Manager

Curating personal brand strategies and content for CEOs and founders to increase lead generation and revenue for their business.

Personal Brand Manager

Kurogo Studio

Content Studio For Personal Brands & Creators 📍Central London

McCann Worldgroup

Contributed to client briefings, working closely with notable brands such as L'Oréal and JustEat.

Prepared and presented weekly analyses of competing agencies award-winning marketing strategies.

Strategic Planning Assistant

Account Manager @ Kurogo | Creating Industry Leaders through Personal Branding

I eat, sleep and breathe FMCG and F&B brands.

And if I’m not doom-scrolling into the latest trend rabbit holes, I’m talking about it on LinkedIn.

The rest of the week, I’m an Account Manager specialising in driving strategic outcomes for clients through data-led insights and delivering high-impact marketing strategies.

To craft banging brand strategy, I:
👉🏻 Research (i.e. stalk) my clients and their industries until I know them better than they know themselves
👉🏻 Keep my finger on the pulse of what’s happening in their field
👉🏻 Genuinely root for them and their business 

That’s the mix I use for my clients, and so far I’ve achieved some pretty insane results across 20+ CEOs and Founders including:

- An inquiry from Dragon’s Den
- £700k angel investment directly attributed to LinkedIn 
- Features in podcasts, panels, publications

Ultimately, people buy from people.

Not dry, faceless brands.

Alessia Doyle

CDW Financial Specialists LTD

KEY SKILLS

•	Proven business development/sales and relationship management expertise – managing partnerships, leading deal teams and supporting the business growth strategy
•	Specialist knowledge in cashflow generation/optimisation techniques and developing a working capital strategy for long-term success
•	Broad product skillset knowledge and can give advice across a range of trade & working capital and financial products including invoice finance, asset finance, FX and hedging
•	Wide variety of industry experience, including: recruitment, manufacturing, aviation, business services, and financial services
•	Ability to build working capital and cashflow consultancy solutions and services for distressed businesses, restructuring cases, and transformation and turnaround projects
•	Management and leadership: previous experience managing team of five people. Also led deal teams and project teams, specifically when working with finance teams in underperforming businesses
•	Strong networker, presenter and negotiator with internal and external clients and stakeholders

Director - Financial Specialist

Wilkinson Aviation

Pilot and Flying Instructor 

Moneypower International

•	Helped businesses to generate sustainable working capital from accounts receivable and accounts       payable, and implemented necessary change

•	Supported CEO to set up UK entity and generate new business and strategic partnerships from standing start in January 2019 to provide financial consulting services

•	Worked with CFOs, FDs and MDs for large enterprises and FTSE 250 companies on how we can generate cashflow in order to secure client meetings across a large range of industries

•	Strategic planning and project management – presenting to prospect clients with a full plan for diagnostic review and project plan of how the cashflow improvements would be implemented

•	Writing and delivering client presentations to C-suite executives across UK and Europe at enterprise sales level

•	Use extensive experience across product areas and financial companies to provide counsel to businesses in need of sustainable working capital with balance sheet optimisation

•	Review management accounts and calculate potential cashflow generation to demonstrate benefits

Business Development and Partnerships Director 

Alpha FX Group plc

We are Alpha FX, a foreign exchange specialist working internationally for corporates and institutions impacted by currency volatility.
 
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, we combine leading expertise with pioneering technology to help clients manage their currency exposures more effectively and efficiently.
 
Our unique approach has attracted investment from some of the UK’s most respected institutions, including M&G, Old Mutual and Soros Fund.  To find out more, visit alphafx.co.uk.

Senior FX Dealer

Gifted Recruitment LTD

Chris Wilkinson, Founder and Managing Director of Gifted Recruitment.

We are a specialist finance, accountancy and treasury recruitment agency based in Reading, serving the Thames Valley and London. We have strong knowledge and industry experience, and specialise in providing hand picked candidates. We make sure recruitment is no more complicated than that.

Our extensive network of contacts means we can find the right people for your organisation. We pride ourselves in providing a personalised service to all of our clients and candidates, and will work with you to meet your recruitment needs. You can trust our expertise and professional service to deliver the best candidates. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and leave the hard work to us.

Jobs we recruit for:
 - CFO and Finance Directors
 - Finance Managers
 - Management Accountants
 - Credit Controllers
 - Treasury
 - Tax Directors and Managers
 - Accounts Assistants
 - Accountants in practice
 - Audit (internal and external)
 - Non Executive Directors

Managing Director

Barclays Corporate Trade & Working Capital

Experienced sales professional with a proven sales track record in Finance / SAAS. Strong ability to establish, develop and maintain quality, long-term business relationships with customers and colleagues at C-level with a focus on business integrity. Highly self-motivated and enthusiastic, yet comfortable working in isolation or as a key team member under the tightest of deadlines. Excellent verbal and visual communication skills which enhance a naturally persuasive manner. Fully recognises individual and team worth in the drive for profitability and success.

Business Development 

• Presenting at C Level and high profile deals to the Prime Minister

• Tackled  the different sectors with a well-defined and fully featured start-up solutions which provided a solid backbone for the Bank to help meet and exceed targets

• Re-energised experienced Corporate Network managers to help them re-define client performance and exceed their targets.

• Showcased specific Finance / SAAS product solutions (prestige venue) to stimulate brokers to provide the   bank with high worth clients and ensure the growth of on-going stakeholder commitment.

• Demonstrating to clients the feature and benefits of our cloud and trade & working capital based products

• Recognised by the bank as a strong facilitator in the leveraging of key business influencers and stakeholders. This supported our business development strategy and enhanced our corporate integrity.  

• Recognising the power of joint partnerships in the quest for business development opportunities leading to some significant account wins across several differing sectors.

• Use of CRM model Salesforce.com

Business Development Manager

Shaping/influencing

Set targets and focused on financial imperatives to challenge and develop a disconnected business region to beat and exceed previous targets

Relationship-building

Revitalised a flagging product line with a mix of highly visible account management strategies that over two years exceeded targets

Bank of Scotland Corporate

Externally based from home and attending appointments with customers to discuss their finance needs

Establishing and maintaining quality, long-term business relationships with customers

Cold calling prospective customers to generate new business

Selling HBOS Financial product range including cross selling other department products

Inherited a long standing customer segment at short notice with a whole raft of issues and problems and quickly took the reins to re-build customer loyalty and went on to achieve 113% of target. 

Took the challenge of selling into a new, high revenue sector to cold call and re-build a recession hit market, achieving 123% of target.

Asset Finance / Originator Manager

I help businesses of all sizes improve cashflow fast.

As a specialist finance broker, I support businesses with working capital, asset finance, trade finance, FX, and property finance, working independently with a wide network of lenders.

If you’re anything like my clients, you’re a UK business facing tough decisions:

🔴 Cash is tight.
🔴 Lenders are saying no.
🔴 Payroll, suppliers, or tax bills are due.
🔴 You need clear advice and fast solutions.

Here’s how I help:

🟢 Unlock cash from invoices, assets, or property
🟢 Tailored FX and trade finance strategies to help protect profit margins
🟢 Find flexible funding from alternative and specialist lenders
🟢 Guide you through the full funding process
🟢 Save you time by handling lender negotiations
🟢 Improve payment terms to boost cashflow without borrowing
🟢 Help train your team on better cashflow management
🟢 Work transparently, with clear fees and no surprises
🟢 Provide a free financial review to spot quick wins

With 15+ years’ experience and 25+ businesses helped, I’ve delivered results like:

🚀 £300k raised in 10 days to cover salaries and HMRC demands to stabilise a £ 12 m-turnover business

🚀 £1m raised to cover HMRC demand by releasing capital tied up in property and invoices

🚀 £50k unlocked by improving payment terms and collections

🚀 £125k cashflow boost in 3 months, saving a business from collapse

Want to chat? Send me a DM saying “cashflow.”

I offer a free, no-pressure call to see how I can help your business survive and grow.

Not ready yet? Follow me here. I post practical tips on improving cash flow yourself.

Chris Wilkinson

Today is World Diabetes Day.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes isn’t something you “get over.” It’s something you learn to live with. 💙

When I was diagnosed in 2019, I thought I’d have to give up flying. My hobby, my part-time job, and my lifelong passion. I’ve been a pilot since I was 16, and it felt like everything I loved was being taken away overnight.

8 months later, I got my Pilot Medical back. And 6 years on, I’m one of only 50 pilots in the country with Type 1 diabetes cleared to fly solo. I’m healthier, more disciplined, and more grateful than ever.

Diabetes changed how I eat (I now have to inject the right amount of insulin 20 minutes before each meal), but it didn’t change who I am.

If you’re living with it, or you’ve just been diagnosed, here’s what I wish I’d known:

→ You’ll have tough days, but that’s normal.
→ You’ll build habits that become second nature.
→ And one day, you’ll realise it doesn’t control you anymore.

World Diabetes Day is a reminder:

Life doesn’t stop with a diagnosis.

It just starts a new chapter. 

P.S. Thank you to organisations like Diabetes UK for continuing to raise awareness and support those living with it every day.

~

Hi, I’m Chris Wilkinson. I help businesses of all sizes improve cash flow fast with working capital, asset finance, trade finance and more. Follow me for case studies, lessons and practical advice.

Founder & Director | Specialist alternative funding, Turnaround | Property finance | Working Capital | Foreign Exchange

I turned down a £30k funding deal. It led to £500k.

A client came to me looking for £30,000. They runs a sailing company that offers trips across the world, an incredible business. 

But the amount was too small for what I do.

So I told him straight: “It’s not worth you paying my commitment fee. You’d be better off finding a small business loan online.”

He thanked me for the honesty.

Then he said, “We’re actually planning to buy our own yacht next year. We’ll need about £500k.”

By being upfront and honest, I built trust with him and opened the door to a far bigger opportunity.

So, here are my top 3 tips for building great client relationships: 👇

1. Be honest and transparent from Day One.
2. Be upfront about fees, processes, and timelines.
3. Underpromise. Overdeliver.

Be clear, be honest, deliver what you said you would. That’s it.

In 2018, I started CDW Financial Specialists.

Since then, I’ve helped businesses not just survive under pressure but find their feet again and grow. 

But I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way.

Here are 3 mistakes I made when I first started out (and the advice I’d give anyone running a limited company): 👇

1️⃣ Chasing the wrong clients.

In the early days, I said yes to every meeting. Even the ones that didn’t make sense. 

I’d sit down with huge firms turning over billions when my ideal clients were doing a few million.

It taught me to be ruthless with my time.

🎓 Lesson: Know who you can genuinely help, and focus on them. Everything else is a distraction.

2️⃣ Setting up the wrong structure.

I jumped straight into setting up a limited company.

If I could go back, I’d start simpler, probably as a sole trader, until things found their rhythm.

Instead, I was juggling accountants, tax returns, and admin before I’d even found my first clients. 😅

🎓 Lesson: Plan your structure before you start. The right foundation saves a lot of stress later.

3️⃣ Overpromising to prove myself.

I wanted everyone to see how capable I was, so I said yes too often.

Then found myself stretched too thin to deliver everything I’d promised.

🎓 Lesson: Saying no is one of the most powerful things you can do.

Running your own business will always come with lessons like these, some expensive, some humbling.

If you’re in your first few years of running a company, what’s one mistake you’ve learned from? 👇

📸: From my Barclays days. 🤣

~

Hi, I’m Chris Wilkinson. I help businesses of all sizes improve cash flow fast with working capital, asset finance, trade finance and more. Follow me for case studies, lessons and practical advice.

A few weeks ago, one of my clients sadly passed away.

We’d spoken almost every day for months. And when you work that closely with someone, you build a bond. His passing was a real shock.

But, for his team, the business still had to keep going.

Because now, it wasn’t just a business. It was his legacy. So we’ve been working tirelessly to make that legacy protected and long-lasting.

And part of that meant facing reality: Staff to pay. Commitments to meet. And funding we’d already started putting in place, something he’d been pushing for because he wanted the team protected for the long-term.

So I worked with his accountant and co-director to make sure everything continued as smoothly, and respectfully, as possible.

I thought about it on my run this morning.

It’s been emotional, but it also reminded me that you never know what people are going through.

Some of my clients come to me at their toughest moments, whether that be professionally, personally, or both.

Which is why empathy is so crucial.

This summer, I did something completely out of my comfort zone.

I rented an e-bike in Courchevel. Ten miles later, I couldn’t sit down properly for a day. 🤣 But honestly? It was worth it.

I’d never tried one before and had no idea how powerful they were or that you could plug them in while stopping for coffee in the mountains.

Trying something new reminded me how easy it is to get stuck in routine. We do what’s familiar, what’s safe, what fits neatly into the schedule.

But growth, in life and business, happens when you try the thing you’ve never done before.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. But next time, I’m paying extra for the padded seat. 🤣

~

Hi, I’m Chris Wilkinson. I help businesses of all sizes improve cash flow fast with working capital, asset finance, trade finance and more. Follow me for case studies, lessons and practical advice.

2 weeks ago, a confidential invoice discounting facility I set up went live! 🥳

It’s helping fund major growth plans for a commercial tree surgeon company, now expanding from the UK into Ireland.

Here’s the challenge we faced. 👇

My client cuts trees back from power lines for major energy and rail firms.

They’d just come through a tough patch, a loss-making business that had finally turned profitable, and needed funding to match their growth.

The problem? Their audit trail made invoice discounting difficult.

Unlike a haulage firm, where a signed delivery note proves work completion, their “proof” comes from before-and-after photos of trees.

Great for clients. Not so great for lenders.

To make things trickier, this type of debt is also difficult to fund because it’s contractual.

But with the right structure, and the right lender, we set up a £500,000 working capital facility releasing 80% of the ledger on Day 1.

Now, every new invoice raised can be drawn down instantly, giving them the cash to fund new contracts and expand into Ireland.

Every business deserves a chance to grow, not just survive. 🙌

~

P.S. Is your business running out of cash, or do you know a struggling business you want to help? Answer a few quick-fire questions at the link below to discover tailored ways to secure working capital and pull the business out of the rut.

P.P.S. You won’t need to enter any company information - just a few basic numbers to instantly evaluate your situation and recommend solutions.

Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/e_bj2nBd

The most underrated advantage in funding? Meeting face to face.

→ You get a feel for the business that you simply can’t online. When I’m there in person, I can pick up on small details about how a business actually runs, things you’d never spot over a call.

→ It’s also how I validate clients. Seeing that they’ve got a real business, with staff and operations, not just a name on paper.

→ Face-to-face meetings build trust faster than anything else. A handshake, a chat, a walk around the office… they all create instant credibility.

→ For me, those meetings aren’t just about due diligence. They’re about building relationships (my biggest strength!!!) and creating real rapport.

→ Lenders value it too. They’ll always ask, “Have you met the client in person?” because it adds weight to my recommendation and gives them far more confidence to fund the deal.

At the end of the day, I’ll take a coffee over a Zoom link any day. 🤷🤣

~

P.S. Is your business running out of cash, or do you know a struggling business you want to help? Answer a few quick-fire questions at the link below to discover tailored ways to secure working capital and pull the business out of the rut.

P.P.S. You won’t need to enter any company information - just a few basic numbers to instantly evaluate your situation and recommend solutions.
Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/e_bj2nBd

This happened last Saturday:

I went to The Aviators Ball, the biggest aviation charity event in the UK, hosted at Fairmont Windsor Park (right next to my old school 🤣).

Aerobility is a UK charity that helps people with disabilities learn to fly.

They support almost 1,000 people every year and encourage them to ask:

“If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?”

It gives people confidence, freedom, and a sense of possibility that goes far beyond flying.

And the Ball is their main event of the year.

It was my first time attending with friends from the aviation world, and it was a brilliant evening - a drinks reception, a three-course meal, a couple of drinks, and even a silent auction. 

A great night, and an incredible charity to support. 🤩

My client was facing a winding-up petition with a £4M HMRC debt.

Today, their HM Revenue & Customs debt is cleared, the petition has been removed, they’re back trading, and now forecasting £12M turnover.

Here’s how we made that happen. 👇

This business turns over around £6M a year and was hit with a £4M HMRC bill, a combination of outstanding debt and poor advice from previous advisers, which led to a winding-up petition.

With the help of their solicitors, we managed to push the petition back through the courts, securing 30-day extensions each time and giving us around 180 days in total to raise the funding.

We used that time to:

→ Raise money against property, including farmland, residential, and commercial assets, to arrange a bridging facility.

→ Release capital from business assets such as commercial vehicles to pay off the HMRC debt.

→ Put in place a £500,000 confidential invoice discounting facility, giving them ongoing working capital to support growth.

The result?

A business that was once on the brink of closure is now fully trading again, with funding in place and forecasts to hit £12M turnover.

That’s the benefit of working with a finance broker (like me! 😊) who can combine property, asset, and invoice finance into one complete solution.

20+ years of experience working across different finance companies has given me the knowledge to structure deals like this.

When you know how to structure the deal, even the toughest situations can be turned around. 🙌

~

P.S. Is your business running out of cash, or do you know a struggling business you want to help? Answer a few quick-fire questions at the link below to discover tailored ways to secure working capital and pull the business out of the rut.

P.P.S. You won’t need to enter any company information - just a few basic numbers to instantly evaluate your situation and recommend solutions.
Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/e_bj2nBd

This is the current reality for UK businesses. The stats:

→ The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress rose 78% year-on-year, reaching 55,530 in Q3, according to Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert report. London alone accounts for 19,323 of them.

→ It’s widespread. 21 out of 22 sectors are now reporting significant distress. The hardest hit? Consumer-facing industries like Leisure & Cultural Activities, Hotels & Accommodation, and General Retailers.

→ Even corporate insolvencies are climbing, up 2% year-on-year in September, with 2,000 cases recorded (Insolvency Service).

Why is this happening?

Because higher taxes, inflation, and economic uncertainty are squeezing businesses already dealing with high wages, rising financing costs, and lower consumer spending.

If your business is starting to feel the pressure, act early. The biggest mistake I see is waiting until things become “critical.” And by then, options are far more limited.

Speak to your accountant. Review your cash flow. Get a clear picture of your upcoming tax and loan commitments. And if you need external funding, do it before you need it, not after.

Good businesses are struggling right now, but the ones that survive will be the ones who plan ahead, stay transparent with their lenders, and keep communication open.

Early action always gives you more room to breathe.

~

💸 Running out of cash? Don’t panic. Answer 17 quick questions about your business (all confidential), and you’ll get tailored ways to fix your cash flow issues. It takes less than 2 minutes.

Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/e_bj2nBd

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The Battle

Alessia Doyle

Chris Wilkinson

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The Battle

Alessia Doyle

Chris Wilkinson

Followers

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Chris Wilkinson's LinkedIn Performance

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