Laurence Kingscott

Pallet-Track is a Wolverhampton based national pallet network business, offering a fully structured service to its members that is second to none in the industry. Engaged services of Ashby Solutions Ltd. to design, develop and implement a central billing system. Additionally, completed ad hoc projects and initiatives, including financial analysis and KPI development. • Led phase I of design and implementation of central billing system across Pallet Track network, consisting of 83 independently owned entities, resulting in reduced cost base by £1.5m. • Acted as project lead for the design / implementation of central billing system, including blueprint phase, fit gap analysis, testing and authoring training sessions and manuals. • Assessed and resolved technical, procedural, financial and functional issues to ensure project completion within designated timeframe of 3 years. • Led phase II of central billing system implementation, incorporating all financial elements (weekly invoices, self-billing invoices, monthly contract statements, automated direct debit and BACs payments, VAT reporting and automated download into Sage Accounting software). • Led system integration capability within central billing protocol to allow Pallet-Track to partner with Amazon and associate with Hellmann International Freight. • Assisted with design, functionality and structure of new monthly KPI reporting pack for each depot, including monthly, cumulative, variances and associated graphs.

Financial Controller Pall-Ex Group January 2008 – December 2008 | UK Pall-Ex Group, founded by Hilary Devey, is a multi-award-winning palletised distribution network across the UK. • Hired as Financial Controller, responsible for all financial activities, including production of monthly management accounts and reports, daily cash forecasting, weekly KPI reports and team management. • Reported to the Group Finance Director and directly responsible for team of 12 staff, including Management Accountants, Finance Accountants, Payroll and Tax. • As Project Team Leader, led team to develop in-house central billing system, including designing and flowchart mapping of system functionality requirements. • Led initiative to improve cash management and debt collection by implementing reconciliation and forecasting procedure and debt receipt analysis, resulting in substantial overdue debt being eradicated. • Implemented new online banking system and procedures and delivered staff training, including authorisations and liaising with Bank IT support. • Developed and implemented credit checking and recording procedure for new logistics customers. Additionally, led interpretation of data for business performance reporting to inform senior management decision making.

Reporting to the Regional Performance Manager (South), of this multi-billion pound retail group, with responsibility for providing financial support to 9 Distribution Centres in the Southern Region and liaising with the Logistics provider (Exel) to ensure the Open Book Contract cost performance is managed. Main Achievements: Ran a project to re-design a complex excel weekly wages cost data analysis spreadsheet, Built up strong business relationships with the many managers/staff at the Head Office in Nottingham & within the wider Logistics organisation structure, the Boots Finance teams, & the 3rd party Finance team

Maternity Cover - Extended) Reporting directly to the UK Express Financial Accountant (with dotted line to Fleet Director), of this global logistics company, with primary responsibility for maintaining financial control of all fleet related expenditure. Main achievements: Preparation of capital investment application for fleet replacement, circa £25M Collaborated with external suppliers to improve working relationships and generate better management information Wrote the DHL Budget guidance notes for the transportation costs Provision of support and advice to operational accountants on all fleet matters Preparation of budgets, forecasting & monthly management reporting for the Fleet department Completion of all the fleet reconciliations within 5 days of month end Driving internal process to improve and increase availability of consistently accurate and useful management information Staff recruitment and development