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Simon Ramsden
CFO at Closed Loop Medicine
Professional Background
Simon Ramsden is a highly accomplished finance professional with a rich background in the pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare industries. With extensive experience gained over his impressive career, Simon has honed his skills as a Chartered Accountant and Senior Finance Director, notably trained by one of the Big 4 accounting firms. His portfolio includes extensive work in various financial disciplines, including Commercial Finance Partnering, Corporate & Business Development, Corporate Finance, Restructuring, Tax, Treasury and Financial Reporting.
Simon began his professional journey after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) in September 2007, achieving first-time passes which highlight his dedication and expertise in the field. His early career launched at Ernst & Young in 2004, where he worked in roles focused on Audit & Assurance and Restructuring, fostering a strong foundation in financial principles that would serve him well throughout his career.
In 2008, Simon transitioned to Regus Plc, where he served as Group Analyst in Financial Reporting and FP&A. In this role, he made significant contributions by providing data-driven recommendations to the investment committee for opening new centers, showcasing his ability to blend analytical skills with strategic decision-making.
Career Progression at GSK
Simon joined GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2010 as Manager Financial Reporting, where his remarkable acumen and leadership abilities became quickly apparent. His career at GSK is marked by significant progress across various roles. By 2012, he was entrusted as the Assistant Corporate Finance Director for ViiV Healthcare, where he played a crucial role in managing corporate finance operations.
His rise continued through the ranks at GSK, leading to the position of Director of Corporate Development in 2014. This role had him collaborating with different teams to drive corporate strategy and growth initiatives. In 2016, Simon took on the role of Finance Director, Vaccines Finance Lead, based in Belgium. As a pivotal member of the Global Brand Leadership team, Simon was instrumental in supporting products with revenues exceeding £1 billion, further demonstrating his impact on the commercial health of the organization.
In 2018, Simon was appointed as Finance Director of Consumer Health R&D and Portfolio, where he led financial operations for a substantial global budget of £250 million across six sites and over 1,000 full-time employees. His ability to manage extensive budgets and oversee financial performance exemplifies his leadership and expertise in financial stewardship.
Current Role at Eusa Pharma
Since March 2020, Simon has taken on the role of VP, Head of Global Finance at Eusa Pharma, where he oversees all finance activities across the organization. This strategic position allows him to act as a key partner to various business functions, addressing pivotal issues such as M&A strategies, Brexit preparedness, supply route optimization, and tax strategies. Among his notable achievements, Simon played a vital role in the successful sale of Eusa Pharma from private equity to a publicly-listed Italian pharmaceutical company in 2021, underscoring his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes successfully.
Education and Achievements
Simon Ramsden's academic foundation is built upon a solid education in the sciences. He attended Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and pursued his higher education at the University of Birmingham, where he earned a 2:1 BSc in Medical Biochemistry. This educational background has undoubtedly informed his analytical mindset and ability to interpret complex scientific data, which is essential in the pharmaceutical industry.
His career is filled with an array of significant accomplishments that demonstrate his dedication to excellence in finance and management. From his early days in audit and assurance to his current high-level role in a global pharmaceutical company, Simon’s trajectory exemplifies his commitment to professional growth and industry leadership.
Skills and Expertise
Known for his outstanding communication and stakeholder management abilities, Simon successfully bridges the gap between finance and operations, ensuring alignment and collaboration across multiple business functions. His business-minded approach and commercial awareness, combined with exceptional financial acumen, empower him to consistently seek improvements and implementing efficient practices that drive value and enhance bottom-line results.
Simon’s effective relationship-building skills allow him to establish strong networks within organizations, enabling him to work seamlessly with key stakeholders and contributing to a culture of collaboration and strategic growth throughout his career. His ability to successfully navigate high-stakes financial discussions while maintaining operational integrity is a testament to his leadership strength.
Notable Achievements
Throughout his career, Simon has been recognized for various achievements that showcase his dedication to the pharmaceutical and financial sectors. His noteworthy experience with mergers and acquisitions enables him to assess business opportunities and create robust business case analyses that support strategic decisions. The successful sale of Eusa Pharma to a listed Italian pharmaceutical company stands as a significant highlight in his career.
Simon’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement has led to the implementation of numerous efficiencies that have yielded positive outcomes for the organizations with which he has worked. His track record for achieving exemplary financial results is complemented by his proactive identification of opportunities that benefit the overall business strategy.
Achievements
- Instrumental in the strategic sale of Eusa Pharma to a publicly-traded Italian pharmaceutical company in 2021.
- Managed a global budget of £250 million at GSK, demonstrating financial leadership in Consumer Healthcare R&D.
- Played a key role in supporting products with turnover exceeding £1 billion during his tenure as Finance Director, Vaccines Finance Lead at GSK.
- Established a strong track record in Commercial Finance Partnering, Corporate Finance, and M&A activities across his various roles.
- Fostered relationships with stakeholders that enhanced finance and operational collaboration.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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