Gian Rai

Accomplished finance and commercial leader with expertise in streamlining operational efficiency and delivering process improvements, implementing cost savings and revenue improvement plans. Leads teams through a strong business partnering approach, experienced at interacting and presenting to exec and supporting operational colleagues. Advocate of leveraging technology and data to support financial decision making.

• Implemented strategic planning enhancements to budgets ranging from £20m to £600m across the HE, public sector, FMCG, defence and travel sectors.
• Mentored and upskilled finance business partners at Middlesex University by re-planning month end activities, developing system reports, process documentation and increasing customer engagement and accountability.
• Delivered £20m procurement cost savings and associated cash flow within outsourced contracts at Serco and professional services savings at Middlesex university.
• Spearheaded a team that delivered £1.0m in annual technology cost savings through process optimisation initiatives, post covid to meet anticipated board financial targets.
• Led a restructure of the FCDO Services finance team, recruiting new talent, developing FPA skills and business partnering culture enabling team to support the business to deliver 15% revenue growth support year on year.
• Confidence and presence at board level and SLT; delivered to Exec annual strategic commercial planning workshops prior to setting top line targets for budgeting.
• Implemented pricing controls and strategy across public and private sectors improving profitability and governance.
• Managed financials and stakeholders for Thameslink rail programme up to $2bn spend through analytical insight, change management, risk reporting and implementing KPIs.