Canada CFOs: Part-Time, Interim & Boards

Strategic Advisor

SMI Consulting

Consulting advising companies and non-profit organisations 						Nov’.21 – Sept. '23

•	Interim Director of Financial Planning & Analysis | Manufacturing Company | $60m Revenue | VC   

o	Successfully assumed the role of Director of FP&A within a brief seven-day handover period, managing budgeting, forecasting and producing Monthly Business Review pack 
o	Reviewing, collaborating & reporting on $150m CAPEX project.
o	Effectively interacted with the COO, department heads, and headquarters to deliver comprehensive financial analyses.
o	Provided strategic guidance to the sales team regarding online marketing campaign strategies, encompassing customer segmentation, keyword optimization, and more.
o	Oversaw a team of two skilled financial analysts, ensuring smooth operations and efficient performance.

•	Interim Controller | Manufacturing Company | $80m Revenue
o	Oversaw transition of a new VP of finance
o	Dealing with VPs and the CEO on issues ranging from cashflow to procurement
o	Developed a new cashflow forecasting model enabling the company to manage cash more effectively, managed the cashflow, dealing with over 500 international suppliers.
o	Managed Accounts payable and receivable teams, providing guidance and support to ensure the team delivered high quality work.
o	Developed and implemented procedures to improve efficiency and recruited contract AP help. 


•	Advising an online global platform on growth strategies, cash flow, fundraising, and marketing. I helped raised C$250,000 from private investors.

•	In Dec. 2021, I helped the projected largest mosque in Canada raise $235,000 in less than five weeks, managing online & offline marketing, advertising & digital marketing, donor communication, a team of twelve volunteers, hall and food arrangements, ticket sales, filming, photography arrangements, and live streaming of the event.

•	I have successfully apply & received Google grant of C$10,000 a month for digital marketing.

Business Consulting

Lean Payments

Co-founder & Chief Financial Officer

Marcatus QED

•	Conducted a SWOT analysis and addressed two major weaknesses with the CEO- sales and product diversification
•	Worked with the CEO on developing strategies for global expansion including managing Mexico organic production operations and sourcing new production plants
•       Negotiated crop production contracts with organic and non-organic producers 
•	Developed departmental KPIs with the head of departments for sales team, logistics and QA
•	Developed sales budgets with the CFO & sales team targeting growth of 50% in international markets using new products

Chief Operating Officer

Yaya Foods Corporation

•Worked with the CEO to create and deliver an organisation-wide change management program to deliver operational efficiencies in a manufacturing environment
•Managed the finance department delivering regular financial reporting
•Introduced quarterly sales forecasts and streamlined procurement process 
•Managed banking relationships
•Improved material costing system and reporting
•Managed the IT and Operation Analysts teams
•Reimplemented ERP (Microsoft Dynamics) delivering a working inventory system, a new digitalized batching system providing accurate yield information within 1 hour of batch manufacturing and introduced cycle count
•Improved procurement and production processes capturing timely and accurate information
•Trained over 25 end users for new processes in warehousing system, production and quality control

Maritime and Underwater Security Consultants

Specialising in counter-piracy, ship security and unexploded ordnance disposal – $125 million turnover with offices in London, Dubai and Kuwait 

•	Board member and developed an expansion strategy for EMEA
•       Successfully completed Management Buy-Out (M&A) in six months
•	Budgeting, Cashflow forecast, Financial Reporting & Transfer Pricing
•	Restructuring and reduced employee costs by 40% (U$1.7 million)
•       Evaluated and Managed debt, liquidity and IT Risk using relevant strategies
•	Hiring, training and finance team building within a multi-site environment
•       Advised on and led commercial negotiations
•       Developed extensive internal controls and cash flow forecasting

Group CFO

Dangote Global London

Privately owned FMCG business( cement, sugar & flour manufacturing) spread across Africa, Europe and the Middle East – $4 billion turnover

•	I set up and managed the Procurement & Logistic department in London with P&L management of $150m and with the responsibility of managing spare parts for 4,800 trucks 
•       I developed internal controls, monthly financial reporting & analysis and extensive budgeting & introduced rolling forecast for the department 
•       Streamlined international procurement using ERP/CRM implementation across 7 locations in 3 countries resulting in transaction cost reduction of 41%

Financial Controller

AccountAbility

An international non-profit think-tank committed to enhancing corporate performance

•	Part of Board of Director
•	Managed a team in the UK and dealt with satellite offices in the USA and Brazil.
•	Re-structured the finance team leading to a 40% reduction in headcount saving $90k annualy 
•       Developed detailed internal controls and monthly management reporting package
•	Significantly improved available working capital & substantially increased ($100k to $200k) the company’s line of credit by partnering with banks

Head of Finance

Merlin Financial Communications Ltd

Leading City of London financial & corporate public relations consultancy 

•	Appointed to this senior role with responsibility for all of Merlin’s finances. 
•	Took on additional responsibility as Head of IT and Head of Administration.
•	Reported directly to the Chief Executive and the Managing Director and provided professional advice regarding the strategic objectives for the business and their financial impact. 
•	Advised on HR requirements and other major operational issues. 
•	Carried out strategic reviews and advised executive directors regarding appropriate IT Systems. 
•	Played a key role in evaluating, selecting and implementing new IT systems across the business on a global basis including working closely with IT implementation teams. 
•	Specified and implemented sophisticated time keeping software across the business leading to a very substantial recovery of fees rising to an additional 10% of turnover in 2002/2003.
•	Managed every aspect of two major office relocations in 2002 & 2004; negotiated leases, managed contractors, and sourced and implemented the complete IT infrastructure.  
•	Arranged a guarantee bond for the deposit and managed all capital expenditure through various leases. 

•               Delivered both relocations on schedule and on budget with no disruption of business.

CFO | Interim | Fractional | M&A | Mentor | SME Strategic Partner | Board Member | EMBA | FCCA

I am a hands-on fractional CFO and trusted strategic adviser with business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset. Problem solver with high energy enjoys challenges with a multiple industries background. A finance leader in technology, FMCG, manufacturing, service industry and not-for-profit, from start-up to high-growth companies. 

Track record of raising finance, and M&A. Proven areas of expertise include Controllership, FP&A, M&A, business modelling and forecasting, change management, system implementation, international operations and managing teams.  

Excellent communicator, with a high level of accountability, an expert at presenting to Boards and external stakeholders including investors, banks, and legal counsel. 

Acknowledge for collaborative style, continuous improvement, developing of employees, supporting peers and advising CEOs and boards.

As a strategic financial professional, I enjoy driving the numbers and as a peer and mentor, I thrive on accelerating the growth and development of others around me.

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