Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Keyitskills
Attributes
Timeline
Generic

Jonathan Ablett

Clutton,BAS

Summary

Accomplished Finance Director with a proven track record at Capita Plc, enhancing financial performance and strategic direction. Expert in Accounting software (SAP) and adept at leading high-performing teams. Achieved a record year in revenue growth and significantly reduced working capital inventories by 55%. Skilled in Internet Marketing, showcasing versatility and a results-driven approach.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Finance UK & I

Nisbets Ltd
01.2023 - Current
  • Company Overview: Nisbets is a British multi-channel retailer of catering equipment and supplies, founded in 1983
  • The business is split into 3 regions, combining for annual revenue close to £500m
  • The UK & I region accounts for circa £400m
  • Support the UK & I leadership team with valuable insight contributing to the development of strategy as the business evolves
  • Oversee the Business Partner, Management Accounts + Transactional teams (circa 60 people)
  • Oversee our Business Change team who deliver complex projects such as Project Vision, warehouse automation project (Circa 15 people)
  • Oversee our Leasing team, Chef Leasing (5 people) ensuring compliance and regulations are adhered to
  • Work closely, with a dotted line, into 3 subsidiaries (Space Catering, Jongor Hire & Beaumont)
  • Develop the UK Finance Function: Ensure that across all aspects of the business they are working to a best-in-class finance capability
  • This is delivered by ensuring consistent delivery in reporting, and to provide insights and data to allow the business to make better decisions
  • Sustain and drive a culture of prudent revenue recognition
  • Ensure there is efficient cash and working capital management
  • Support on M&A: Work alongside MD and the CFO to support the development of the strategy and execution for any future acquisition activity
  • Compliance and controls: ensure sound financial controls are in place and are adhered to
  • Nisbets is a British multi-channel retailer of catering equipment and supplies, founded in 1983
  • The business is split into 3 regions, combining for annual revenue close to £500m
  • The UK & I region accounts for circa £400m

Finance Director (Director of Business Controlling) Region South

Linde Material Handling
01.2020 - 12.2022
  • Company Overview: Region South is part of Linde Materials Handling that is owned by the Kion Group
  • It is the market leader, in the UK, for fork lift trucks and has been for a number of decades
  • Part of a board looking at the wider issues and strategically driving the business forward
  • Full responsibility for P&L and working capital management
  • Employee Development champion within the business working with the UK team to deliver the best training for our employees
  • Work with central functions to ensure compliance and company policies & processes are followed
  • Lead for all ISO audits & key role in evolving our health & safety culture
  • Key role in commercial bids & tenders for a wide-ranging customer base
  • Oversee the sales team and aid bids whilst upholding our governance principles
  • Region South is part of Linde Materials Handling that is owned by the Kion Group
  • It is the market leader, in the UK, for fork lift trucks and has been for a number of decades
  • Chosen for European leadership scheme (Lead @ Linde) which has only 18 attendees per year from over 10,000 employees
  • Part of the bid team to secure the largest order in the history of our business and the largest order in the UK in 2018
  • Record year achieved each year from 2018 – 2021 (excl 2020) for order intake with new business being a large part of this achievement
  • Record year achieved each year from 2018 – 2021 (excl 2020) for Revenue & EBIT
  • ROS has improved from 5.1% in 2018 to 7.2% in 2021 with 2022 projected at 8.9%
  • Region South were best in Europe for average days in stock for New Trucks
  • (Q1 2022)
  • Looked after & managed half our salesforce for 4 months with no sales leadership in the business
  • Helped oversee 1 year + with no Lost Time Injuries at work (Linde Severnside record)
  • Reduced working capital inventories by 55% & reduced Aged Debt > 90 days by 95%

Finance Director, Connect Practice, Capita ITES

Capita Plc
01.2015 - 07.2016
  • Running a team of 12 staff across 3 locations
  • Business Partner the MD of the business, helping to effect change and strategy whilst driving financial performance
  • Responsible for P&L across 14 cost centres within the practice & accurate forecasting
  • Key role in commercial bids & tenders across many technologies, services & sectors including 5+ £10mil bids and bids with an international footprint
  • Prepare and consolidate a variety of reports and analysis across disparate systems
  • Prepare board reports and attend board meetings
  • Oversee the sales team and aid bids whilst upholding our governance principles
  • Reduce travel and subsistence costs by 25% YOY
  • Oversee a large restructure that delivered circa £500k cost savings to P&L
  • Achieve challenging H1 budget
  • Reduce Aged Debt > 90 days by 80%

Senior Finance Manager, Services Division, Capita ITES

Capita Plc
12.2013 - 12.2014
  • Business partner the Services director and provide financial insight
  • Run a team across 3 locations
  • Oversee the production of the monthly management accounts & submit accurate forecasts
  • 2014 results ahead of a challenging budget
  • Produce a billable utilisation reporting system, which added visibility of our resource for the first time
  • Reduce WIP by 50% and no WIP over 3 months old

Financial Controller

Linden Homes Western
Bristol
05.2010 - 12.2013
  • Company Overview: Part of Galliford Try Plc, FTSE 250
  • Prepare and submit weekly financial & sales reports to division & group & maintain and submit 8 week cash forecast
  • Prepare and submit Accounts for all business entities, including a JV, Subsidiary and a newly acquired JANE
  • Prepare the monthly three year forecast which is submit to division and group
  • Manage the finance team and monitor all aspects of the department
  • Part of Galliford Try Plc, FTSE 250
  • Help save the business circa £120k on two projects through analysing estate agent agreements
  • Recovered £50k of retention from our affordable contracts that had been overlooked
  • Helped reduced regional and site-specific marketing costs by over 35% in the past 12 months

Financial Analyst

Hydrex
Bristol
11.2007 - 05.2010
  • Lead a project to upgrade the companies purchase ledger system
  • Established an electronic capex system within the company (£11m annually)
  • Help improve bookings for the training company by 35% by providing Marketing assistance using Google Adwords, SEO and analysing ROI on internet marketing campaigns

Education

FCCA -

08.2015

ACCA Qualified -

08.2010

BA (Hons) - Accounting & Finance

University of the West of England

3 A Levels + 1AS - Economics, English, French & Spanish

Lord Wandsworth College

10 GCSEs - Including English & Mathematics

Lord Wandsworth College

Skills

  • Advanced Excel
  • Office
  • Visio
  • Accounting software (SAP)
  • Accounting software (Axiom)
  • Accounting software (Oracle)
  • Accounting software (Dema)
  • Accounting software (Great Plains)
  • Accounting software (Hyperion Planning)
  • Accounting software (Hyperion Financial Management)
  • Accounting software (SAGE)
  • Cognos Reporting
  • Invu
  • Internet Marketing
  • Pay Per Click advertising
  • Web Analytics
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

References

Available on request

Keyitskills

  • Advanced Excel
  • Office
  • Visio
  • Accounting software (SAP, Axiom, Oracle, Dema, Great Plains, Hyperion Planning & Hyperion Financial Management, SAGE)
  • Cognos Reporting
  • Invu
  • Internet Marketing
  • Pay Per Click advertising
  • Web Analytics
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Attributes

  • Commercially focussed
  • Strategic thinking
  • Strong Business Partnering skills
  • Leader
  • Multi Sector experience
  • Managing teams across multiple locations
  • Proven financial performance
  • Achieving/exceeding budgets
  • Strong Communicator
  • Agile
  • Ability to challenge
  • Good experience on large tender and bid responses

Timeline

Director of Finance UK & I

Nisbets Ltd
01.2023 - Current

Finance Director (Director of Business Controlling) Region South

Linde Material Handling
01.2020 - 12.2022

Finance Director, Connect Practice, Capita ITES

Capita Plc
01.2015 - 07.2016

Senior Finance Manager, Services Division, Capita ITES

Capita Plc
12.2013 - 12.2014

Financial Controller

Linden Homes Western
05.2010 - 12.2013

Financial Analyst

Hydrex
11.2007 - 05.2010

FCCA -

ACCA Qualified -

BA (Hons) - Accounting & Finance

University of the West of England

3 A Levels + 1AS - Economics, English, French & Spanish

Lord Wandsworth College

10 GCSEs - Including English & Mathematics

Lord Wandsworth College

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Jonathan Ablett