Name

Karen

Position

Chairman / Non-Executive Director / Board Advisor / Mentor

Location

Gloucestershire

Big Business Experience

Capita Insurance Services

Zurich Insurance Services

Small Business Experience

Gloucestershire Airport Limited

Brunelcare

Summary

Broad experience from FTSE 250 companies to SME’s to one man bands in commercial sectors and Not for Profit and all those in between.

Specialises in all aspects of Finance, Business Growth, Business Turnaround, Business Transformation, Performance Management and Change Management.

Highly experienced in leading and supporting companies through all aspects involved with  financial strategic thinking,  including finance and audit, cost analysis, business planning and financial modelling,  arranging funding, and systems implementation.  Karen works with businesses to  help owners get to grips with their business so together we can strategize and help them move forward in the best direction for them and their business.

Qualifications

Professional:

Institute of Chartered of Accountants England and Wales (ACA) – Qualified 2011

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) – Qualified 2000

Other:

PRINCE2 – Foundation level

University:

The University of Gloucestershire (Formally C&GCHE)

BSC Information Technology and Information Systems (July 2006).

HNC in Information Technology (July 2004).

BA (Hons) Business Studies and Financial Services (1993-1995)

HND Business and Finance (1991-1993)

Key Areas of Expertise

• Finance and Audit
• Business Growth
• Business Turnaround
• Business Transformation
• Business and Financial Planning
• Sensitivity and Scenario (what if) testing
• Risk Management
• Change Management.
• Income Management
• Performance Management
• Value for Money
• Commercial and Property Development
• Systems Implementation

Experience

• Finance and Audit – from leading to roll sleeve up and get the jobs done – will ensure any problem is resolved.
• Business Growth – including identification, review, modelling and impact assessment
• Business Turnaround – including identification, review, modelling and impact assessment Business Transformation -including identification, review, modelling and impact assessment
• Business and Financial Planning including all aspects of sensitivity and scenario (what if) testing
• Risk Management – including identification, and mitigation strategies
• Change Management – including identification, review, modelling and impact assessment
• Income Management – advising on the best way to increase income and cashflow
• Procurement and Outsourcing contracting management
• Performance Management
• Value for Money
• Commercial and Property Development
• Systems Implementation – lead on the implementation of several finance systems with very tight deadlines
• Reporting in a heavily regulated sector – Housing, Financial Services and Aviation

Outcome achieved by experience

• Improved cashflow,
• Improved profitability
• Restructuring
• Improved governance arrangements
• Transforming failing public sector department to private company after sourcing funding
• Development of growth strategies
• Performance management reporting

Improved reporting for decision making and often seeing a solution a fresh look can provide by looking outside of the box.