The Manchester Metropolitan University

Chief Financial Officer

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

PE backed, International business changing the landscape in the health and fitness industry.

Ultimate Performance

Statutory director, board member and company secretary for 3 trading companies.

Previously part of Johnson Service Group Plc.

Trade sale to the Timpson family and retained after the sale to aid integration and complete the acquisition.

Retail and service sector.  My remit crosses over with HR and IT.

Johnson Cleaners UK Ltd

Finance Director

- Responsible for reporting the European Group performance to the US. The European Group includes subsidiaries in Northern Ireland, Germany, Norway, Poland and Turkey.
- Aid the CFO/CEO with their decision making in respect of operational requirements to turn underperforming venues around, enhance performance and developing a better framework to ensure full year budgets are achieved.
- Work with a number of General Managers to ensure each venue achieves its targets and the group as whole performs as expected.
- Reviewing and preparing the monthly management accounts, flash forecasts and full year forecasts for the European group to the US parent.
- Heavily involved in new business domestically and overseas which includes assessing the legal, commercial and financial considerations of entering new regions/markets, preparing business plans and performing due diligence.
- Projects in new business include setting up a business in Turkey, managing the pre opening budget and setting up the financial framework out there. Spending time in Poland refining our new business and implementing the financial framework. Dealing with legal/financial issues and working alongside senior management to ensure overseas/domestic projects are successful.
- Responsible for a team in the flagship arena which includes 9 finance personnel, also responsible for all other finance functions outside of the Manchester venues.
- Created and documented a SOX compliant environment across the European group, generally maintaining a robust control environment throughout all areas such as IT and banking.
- Reduced a 15 day month end close to a 5 day close.
- Preparation of the statutory accounts and tax returns for the group and its 12 European subsidiaries.
- Preparation of US tax returns, 5471 returns and FIN 48 compliance.
- Responsible for preparing accounts under US GAAP for group reporting purposes.
- Understanding the requirements of a VC and their objectives.

Official ASM Global

Group Financial Controller

- Responsible for a portfolio of clients with reoccurring fees of approximately £400k.
- The majority of clients were audit clients with turnover between £5m-£50m.
- The portfolio of clients were from various industries including, vehicle leasing, property development and management, professional services, debt recovery management, retailers and financial services.
- Clients included multinational corporations with a significant number of overseas subsidiaries.
- Preparation of statutory accounts under IFRS and UK GAAP.
- Performed all areas of the finance function for the SME’s, this included preparation of corporation tax computations, preparation of statutory accounts, preparation and review of management accounts amongst other duties to aid the finance function.
- Significantly involved in the preparation of long form reports for IPO purposes, and worked alongside the corporate finance department to complete deals.
- Worked on ad hoc assignments to support clients when seeking new funding, or acting as an intermediary between the client and funders.
- Heavily involved in business development and introducing new clients to the practice.

Stephen Brice