Joanna Brown
Tilbrook,Cambs
Summary
Committed manager with exceptional leadership, organisational skills and communication abilities, leads high-performing cross-functional teams. Leads projects, company operations and business growth. A strategic thinker who is able to influence and drive change. Naturally analytical, curious with an approachable management style, with strong collaboration and consensus building skills. Possessing sound judgement and the ability to think creatively to reach desired goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Manager
Pilgrims Pre Prep School (The Harpur Trust)
Bedford , Beds
2023.12 - Current
- A strategic role for the school and part of the executive team for the Trust, developing business strategy, scenario planning and delivering objectives. Planned revenue generation strategies designed for growth
- Budget, forecast and manage school finances with a £4.6m turnover
- Manage and oversee schools Risk Register, creating and presenting papers to the school and Trust governing body.
- Oversight and responsibility for the implementation of HR initiatives, projects and change programmes, such as reviewing people structures or benchmarking reward packages
- Translated senior management directives into actionable front-line policies and implemented changes with staff. Maintaining smooth-running business operations by delegating priorities to staff abilities.
- Management of Finance, HR, Estates, Marketing and Catering operational departments, ensuring business needs, including personnel and budget requirements, are met
- Streamlined processes to improve and optimise school operations, developing policies for administrative oversight and internal controls.
- Ensure the school complies with regulations governing the school's business or affairs and Charities Commission with support of the appropriate specialists within the Trust.
Finance & Office Manager
Pilgrims Pre Prep School (The Harpur Trust)
Bedford , Beds
2019.06 - 2023.12
- Part of the Senior Leadership Team, developing strategy and delivering objectives for the school and its commercial arm
- Budgeted & forecast school finances to inform development and investment
- Researched and benchmarked support staff salaries & total reward packages to ensure competitiveness
- Scenario plan for further developments and external factors that may require a change to the current business model
- Oversaw the implementation project for new MIS systems (iSAMS & FAMLY) for the school
- Cost managed a capital development project with a budget of £2.2m
- Produced and presented finance and business information for trustees and governor meetings
- Managed the school office and catering team, supporting career and personal development.
- Worked to facilitate positive, productive working environments through reliable administrative support.
- Reviewed existing procedures and systems for inefficiencies, and recommended actionable initiatives for improvement.
- Partnered collaboratively with other departments and stakeholders to determine optimum schedules for projects.
Group Estates Manager & Wealth Administrator
Beacon Wealth Management
Kimbolton , Cambs
2018.10 - 2019.05
- Established support and maintenance of 19 properties, consisting of commercial and residential tenants
- Projects delivered within budget and timeframes.
- Liaised with tenants for renewal of leases and negotiate terms, working closely with the Solicitor.
- Composed Retainer Review packs for the Director and clients.
Financial Administrator
Beacon Wealth Management
Kimbolton , Cambs
2018.01 - 2018.10
- Processed Letters of Authority, and looked into clients investment policy summaries to gather data for personalised financial reviews.
- Supported accurate record-keeping with frequent in-house audits.
- Use provider systems such as Transact, Standard Life, Aegon, Acentric & Funds Network to monitor fund transfers
- Assisted the Finance Manager on data projects, such as the updated GDPR legislation.
Financial Administrator
Collective Financial Planning Ltd
Milton Keynes , Bucks
2017.01 - 2018.01
- Analysed pensions, ISA and Investments along with the ongoing fund performance analytics for clients
- Worked closely with Financial and Mortgage Advisers to ensure FCA compliance guidelines are adhered to
- Used the Openwork system, CRM, to ensure new advice was submitted in a compliant manner
- Generated the necessary paperwork for clients to ensure compliance.
Office/Events Manager
The College Equestrian Centre
Keysoe , Bedfordshire
2014.09 - 2016.12
- Organised and ran events local to international, including multiple day competitions that incorporated British Eventing, British Dressage & British Show Jumping throughout the year
- Managed the office, including ground staff & cafe staff. Dealing with any HR queries/requests, interviews for new staff. Working closely with the accounts & payroll department
- Liaised with governing bodies to ensure any rule changes are understood and put into place
- First point of contact for officials and competitors, ensuring their experience of the venue was of a high standard
Reception – Temporary Seasonal Work
Ride Leisure
Wyboston , Bedfordshire
2014.07 - 2014.09
- First point of contact for members of the public arriving at the premises
- Diary management for lake bookings and redeeming vouchers
- Assisted with event bookings providing the necessary information required for both corporate and private clients.
Founder and Manager of Start Up Business
Common Farm Livery
Ely , Cambridgeshire
2009.10 - 2014.05
- Arranged finance to set up diversification on Common Farm for an equine livery service
- Project managed the building of the required facilities.
- Secured a government grant through DEFRA to expand the business.
- Continued to grow the business year on year, establishing strong working relationships with local vets, farriers & freelance instructors.
- Employed, managed and trained 2 seasonal workers throughout peak periods.
- Completed and managed monthly accounts for the livery and farm, submitting VAT returns via HMRC systems
Regional Business Manager
Barclays Bank PLC
Eastern Commercial Bank
2008.04 - 2010.10
- Organised financial and operational data to help with yearly budgeting and planning.
- Took the lead on ad hoc national projects for the Region, ensuring all deadlines were met and dealt with any occurring issues
- Streamlined processes to improve and optimise office operations.
- Analysed and resolved complex resource management issues for optimised scheduling.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - LCCI Executive Secretary Diploma
Bedford College
Bedford 1999.09 - 2000.05
A-Levels - Spanish, Geography
Sandy Upper School
Sandy, Central Bedfordshire 1997.09 - 1999.06
GCSEs - 11 Subjects Including Maths And English
Sandy Upper School
Sandy, Central Bedfordshire 1995.09 - 1997.06
Skills
- Leadership skills
- Stakeholder engagement methods
- Business continuity planning
- Strategic research and planning
- Customer relationship building
- Operational support
- Competitor analysis
- Production reporting
- Department management
- Peer to Peer Coaching
Custom
Associate CIPD Member
Certification
2024 – Level 2 AAT Accountancy
2023 – Level 2 Diploma Charity Accounting - Distinction
2022 – Level 5 Diploma – CIPD People Management (HR)
2022 – Level 2 Diploma – Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
2021 – Level 5 Diploma – ILM Leadership & Management
2017 – RO1 Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Business Manager
Pilgrims Pre Prep School (The Harpur Trust)
2023.12 - Current
Finance & Office Manager
Pilgrims Pre Prep School (The Harpur Trust)
2019.06 - 2023.12
Group Estates Manager & Wealth Administrator
Beacon Wealth Management
2018.10 - 2019.05
Financial Administrator
Beacon Wealth Management
2018.01 - 2018.10
Financial Administrator
Collective Financial Planning Ltd
2017.01 - 2018.01
Office/Events Manager
The College Equestrian Centre
2014.09 - 2016.12
Reception – Temporary Seasonal Work
Ride Leisure
2014.07 - 2014.09
Founder and Manager of Start Up Business
Common Farm Livery
2009.10 - 2014.05
Regional Business Manager
Barclays Bank PLC
2008.04 - 2010.10
Diploma of Higher Education - LCCI Executive Secretary Diploma
Bedford College
1999.09 - 2000.05
A-Levels - Spanish, Geography
Sandy Upper School
1997.09 - 1999.06
GCSEs - 11 Subjects Including Maths And English
Sandy Upper School
1995.09 - 1997.06
2024 – Level 2 AAT Accountancy
2023 – Level 2 Diploma Charity Accounting - Distinction
2022 – Level 5 Diploma – CIPD People Management (HR)
2022 – Level 2 Diploma – Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
2021 – Level 5 Diploma – ILM Leadership & Management
2017 – RO1 Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics
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