Benjamin Nixon
London
Summary
A highly driven and detail-oriented finance professional with expertise in financial analysis, cost management, commercial finance & internal audit. A proven ability to excel in fast-paced environments while demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach. Committed to leveraging diverse skill set to drive organisational success and achieve strategic objectives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Financial Management Manager - VP
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking
London
06.2021 - Current
- Key in development and execution of the Santander Corporate & Investment Banking London Branch (SLB) cost budget and three year financial planning process. Worked closely with team to consolidate budgets across Continental Europe branches also.
- Lead SLBs cost forecasting process, which included building of forecasting data models, to ensure accurate forecasting across key cost concepts and distribution of these across 20+ products.
- Lead SLBs monthly actuals consolidation across entire cost centre structure and delivery into global reporting systems. Evaluate financial performance metrics to determine areas of improvement in cost management and delivering reconciliation reports.
- Lead SLBs Markets business reporting process for costs. I present to senior management within markets with actionable insights on budget achievement and cost allocation analysis on a monthly basis.
- Key in developing Chief Operating Office reporting processes and work closely with these teams to build out their budgets.
- Established strong relationships across other Santander teams including Management information, Treasury, Accounting and Front office.
Internal Auditor - Finance & Markets
Santander UK
London
09.2018 - 06.2021
- Involved in the preparation of Internal Audit reports including detailed findings and practical recommendations to strengthen the overall control environment of the Bank.
- Gained experience of auditing Foreign Exchange Risk Management, Financial Planning, Liquidity Risk Management and Significant Risk Transfers (SRTs).
- Identification of control weaknesses through walkthrough and control testing procedures.
- Communication with stakeholders to understand the control environment and to discuss findings.
- Support of the development of the annual audit plan through bank wide business monitoring of Financial Planning & Strategy.
- Supporting the department through the identification of testing automation opportunities and presenting these to the in house data analytics teams for development.
Finance Analyst - Internship
CNN International Commercial
London, Norfolk
07.2016 - 07.2017
- Production of accurate and timely forecasts for the EMEA business units.
- Took ownership of month end close activities, involving analysis of month end performance, identification of accruals or reclassifications to be booked on a daily basis and creation of accounting journals to be sent for posting.
- Carried out detailed driver-based variance analysis after each month close for EMEA, LatAm and APAC business units using Advanced Excel.
- Gained invaluable soft skills through regular communication and engagement with CNNIC's Finance Director, Manager and Senior Analysts to successfully meet deadlines which included the completion of the annual CNN Budget decks to be presented in New York.
- Reviewed and analysed expenditure throughout project life cycle of multiple large budget advertising campaigns and creative projects.
Education
ACA Chartered Accountancy Qualification - Accountancy
ICAEW
LondonBachelor of Science - Accountancy & Finance
Henley Business School, University of Reading
ReadingA-Levels -
Belfast Royal Academy
BelfastSkills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Budget Planning and Forecasting
- Adaptability
- Exemplary interpersonal skills
- Proficient in all MS Office programmes, including PowerBI
- Proactive
Affiliations
- Play numerous sports including triathlon, rugby, swimming, tennis and golf.
- Member of the scouting association for 11 years to become an Explorer Scout. Progressed on to be a junior Cub Scout Leader from Sep 2012 to June 2014 where I undertook a key leadership role.
- Passionate about travel and pushing myself in new environments. Experiencing new places and involving myself in new cultures is something that I really enjoy and has helped me grow as an individual.
- Enjoy keeping up to date with global, social and economic news by regularly checking news outlets such as the FT & Bloomberg.
Certification
Currently undertaking Data Technician course with specific focus on PowerBI.
Timeline
Financial Management Manager - VP
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking
06.2021 - Current
Internal Auditor - Finance & Markets
Santander UK
09.2018 - 06.2021
Finance Analyst - Internship
CNN International Commercial
07.2016 - 07.2017
ACA Chartered Accountancy Qualification - Accountancy
ICAEW
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy & Finance
Henley Business School, University of Reading
A-Levels -
Belfast Royal Academy