Gareth Lawrence FCA

I am currently the Senior Finance Manager at Valleys to coast/ My skills include : Currently providing strategic leadership within a similar role at Valleys to Coast, reporting to the executive director of corporate services. Key contributor to the planning cycle, working collaboratively to produce budgets, forecasts and business plans including writing and presenting the board papers. Ensuring that the organisation has strong financial governance updating financial regulations and mitigating risks identified on the risk register. Managed numerous successful internal and external audits demonstrating strong technical knowledge. Managing a large finance team promoting a continuous development and improvement culture, for both the finance service provided and for the individuals within the team. Highly commended within the welsh finance business awards in 2021. Currently the finance project lead for establishing a new subsidiary, leading on all things finance including VAT, treasury, insurance, procurement, finance systems and management accounts. As a senior member of the Business Partnering team I spend a significant amount of time engaging with the operational managers helping them to improve their decision making and together we resolve issues (i.e. contractor management). Other areas of experience include negotiating contracts such as insurance(c.£1m), this required full understanding of the business risks to mitigate and negotiate premiums. Payroll management, VAT and general tax.

Strategic financial responsibility for the Care and Support group of entities. Leader of a team of 5 covering all aspects of financial management including budgets,, forecasts, value for money, viability, risk and control. Head Of Projects secondment entailed responsibilities for monitoring merger savings across the organisation along with management accountant for commercial and central services. Currently the finance champion for the implementation for the new finance system (Orchard, E Business and Proactis).

Responsible for budgeting and forecasting with manufacturing analysis. Group reporting accountant with additional head count responsibility. Capital project accountant with responsibility for reclaiming Welsh government grant.

Management accountant for the heavy end covering the Furnace, Coke Ovens, Harbour and Sinter Plant. Presented accounts weekly, forecasts quarterly and set standards annually. Other area included balance sheet review, stock control, projects and CAPEX.

Began work at Chartered Trust that later became Black Horse as part of Lloyds Banking Group. Built my experience whilst studying towards my ACCA qualification through numerous financial departments including financial reporting, management accounts, procurement, tax and treasury. Ended my career with Lloyds as the Personal Finance Business manager (Business Partner) looking after 100 finance offices around the UK. Covered management accounts, budgets and forecasting with specific attention paid to new business rates and bad debt,