Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Additional Experience
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic

OLAWALE OJO

Beckenham,Kent

Summary

Accomplished finance professional with extensive expertise in FP&A process improvement and AI, financial modelling, and finance transformation. Proven track record in revenue operations and development, regulatory compliance, and organisation redesign. Adept at strategic planning, stakeholder management, financial analysis and reporting, performance management, and team leadership and development. Committed to driving financial excellence and operational efficiency through innovative solutions.

Overview

1
1
Language
1
1
Certification
23
23
years of professional experience

Work history

EVP, Head of Schemes Management & Compliance & Financial Partnerships

Nexi Group, London
London
2025.02 - 2026.07
  • Full ownership of Group Schemes & APMs Management working alongside major card schemes such as Visa and Mastercard, Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) and large merchants.
  • Manage total contra-revenues of EUR 2 Bn, including partnership agreements, pricing, contract negotiations and efficiency optimization across Europe
  • Lead on planning, budgeting, forecasting and monthly reporting to the Executive Team
  • Delivered incremental organic and new revenues through strategic pricing optimization, partner economics redesign, vertical specialization (hospitality, restaurants, mobility), and channel transformation (both B2B and direct)
  • Lead commercial negotiations with APMs and Payment Schemes
  • Lead on capital deployment and post investment analysis
  • AI deployment and integration in finance and compliance activities, with demonstrable organizational cost savings
  • Talent Architecture – recruited and developed high-performance leaders

SVP/ CFO e-Com

Nexi Group, London
London
2023.02 - 2025.02
  • Worked collaboratively with the Head of e-Com to define and deliver its strategy, financial commitments and business goals.
  • Managed the unit’s P&L (EUR 500m Revenues, EUR 100m Opex and 500 FTEs) through robust budgeting, forecasting FTE management and current trading assessment, supported by Business Finance back-bone
  • Full ownership of Finance, Tech Spend (Capex), Payroll/ financial impact of FTE and hiring decisions, BI, Procurement/Facility Services/Office Management and Internal Audit functions
  • Performance Governance | Co-led (with Business Unit CEO) monthly regional reviews on execution (service/NPS) and commercial levers (pricing/yield, channels, ARR) | Drove corrective actions and best-practice rollout
  • Strategic M&A | Evaluated, acquired and integrated revenue-accretive acquisitions with a focus beyond pure cost synergies
  • Supported and oversaw alignment of subsidiaries on Accounting, Treasury, Tax and Business Finance
  • Led Group Finance Transformation Program
  • Member of two Supervisory Boards in Poland (P24) and Finland (Paytrail)

Finance Director

TTOPS Healthcare, London
London
2019.12 - 2023.02
  • Directed all financial operations for the organization, leading a team of finance professionals and partnering with the C-suite to execute corporate strategy.
  • Provided insightful and timely financial analysis for commercial decision making
  • Led on all aspects of the company’s Finance and Accounting processes, reducing the month-end close cycle by 2 days
  • Spearheaded preparation of budgets, forecasts, month-end and operational schedules
  • Active participation in fund-raising, contract negotiations and favourable credit terms with suppliers
  • Implemented advanced accounting system and streamlined financial processes

CFO Regional Sales - Europe/UK&I

Visa Inc, London
London
2017.03 - 2019.11
  • CFO for the Europe Sales Division, partnering with the business to deliver strong revenue growth (15-20% p.a. from a baseline of $4Bn) across 24 countries and consistent margin improvement.
  • Full ownership of the annual budget, FTE planning and monitoring (ca 500 headcount), forecast, month-end and client contract financial simulations for the Division
  • Value creation, P&L management, planning, investor reporting, cash management, governance, controls, compliance and risk
  • Commercial lead for growth strategy, pricing and investment decisions
  • Led development of multi-billion dollar budgeting, complex financial forecasting, variance analysis and long-range plans, product launches & enhancements, sales investment and metric focused leadership collaborating with corporate and business executives
  • Initiated and delivered margin expansion programs (+100bps) across multiple markets
  • Acted as ‘true finance business partner’ with a seat at the table and active involvement in business decision making.
  • Managed and motivated a team of 40+ finance professionals across numerous regions
  • Launched new Executive MI/Reporting Suites and introduced new Planning Tools
  • Spearheaded multi-year plans to meet aggressive revenue targets (of ~$5Bn p.a.) from HQ

Senior Director FP&A, Technology & IFR P&L Separation

Visa Inc, London
London
2015.07 - 2017.03
  • Finance champion for Technology ($250m annual spend), Customer Service (200+ FTEs) and Support Divisions of Visa Europe, partnering directly with the Chief Technology Officer and the leadership team.
  • Ownership and management of technology spend – budgeting, forecasting, reporting and long-range planning.
  • Full involvement in business case development and investment decisions.
  • Participation in vendor selection (e.g. IBM), contract negotiations and supplier rationalisation strategy.
  • Involvement in platform integration strategy, asset depreciation, impairment and revaluation.
  • Seat at the table in Board Meetings and Governance Committee.
  • Led deep-dive analysis of the key drivers of Revenues and Expenses in the company’s P&L.
  • Partnered with senior stakeholders in the Business and Finance to agree allocation/assignment rules for each P&L line item.
  • Initiated and documented financial governance to meet compliance with new regulatory requirements.

Head of Cost Management

Visa Inc, London
London
2014.10 - 2015.07
  • Performed deep-dive analysis of Visa Europe cost base (~$1Bn, 2000+ FTEs) with a view to identifying and implementing annualised transformation cost savings of $100m across multiple divisions.
  • Created and implemented strategic and tactical cost reduction proposals, new supplier proposals and organisation design
  • Orchestrated significant savings which put Visa Europe P&L and valuation in a healthy position for the acquisition by Visa Inc. in 2016, thus providing significant cash windfall to the Member Banks.

Director of Financial Planning (Interim)

British Council, London
London
2012.09 - 2014.04
  • Developed strategic ‘five-year’ financial plans for the entire organisation.
  • Consolidated and aligned finance structures and management reporting in seven regions.
  • Managed month-end reporting, business analysis, financial planning, and forecasting.
  • Provided financial advice to the Executive Board on acquisitions, capex and divestment opportunities.

Director of Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting (Interim)

British Council, London
London
2009.09 - 2012.08
  • Produced and reviewed management reports, forecasts, and operational plans. Compiled and presented month-end results and commentaries to Executive/Management Boards.
  • Formed ‘affordable business model’ and ‘new organisation structures’ for Grant Funded division, absorbing thirty per cent (£70m) cut in funding from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).

Director of Business Analysis & Financial Planning (Interim)

British Council, London
London
2007.03 - 2009.09
  • Operated as financial consultant for the commercial and profit-making division (~£500m revenues). Supported general manager in formation and application of operational and strategic plans. Observed short and long-term financial targets for commercial division.
  • Amplified revenues and improved margins by initiating and modelling proposals.
  • Led delivery of monthly performance reports, regular forecasts and annual operating plans

Director of Planning & Analysis – International Membership Rewards

American Express, London
London
2004.01 - 2007.03
  • Led development of long-range plans, quarterly forecasts and annual budget spanning 24 countries and various lines of business. Directed core local and virtual teams and collaboration with key stakeholders in Controllership. Contributed to commercial bids and contract negotiations with detailed and appropriately synthesised financial analysis.
  • Provided financial stewardship to SVP and International CFO in construction, execution and management of operational/strategic plans for ‘loyalty scheme’, with $1B annual cost.
  • Simulated and implemented initiatives e.g. points expiry, delivering annualised savings of $160m

Education

Master of Business Administration - Finance

Cranfield School of Management
Bedford, UK

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Economics

Obafemi Awolowo University
Ife, Nigeria

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - Accountancy

BPP
London

Chartered Institute of Bankers’ (CIB) - Banking

Chartered Institute of Bankers'
London

Skills

  • FP&A Process Improvement and AI
  • Financial Modelling
  • Finance Transformation
  • Revenue Operations & Development
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Organisation Redesign
  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Financial Analysis & Reporting
  • Performance Management
  • Team Leadership & Development

Additional Experience

American Express, Business Analyst progressing to Senior Manager, Bus Planning & Financial Analysis.

Affiliations

  • Avid golfer
  • Volunteering
  • Stock market tracking

Accomplishments

Chairman's Quality Award recipient

Certification

ACCA, CIB

Languages

Yoruba
Native

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

EVP, Head of Schemes Management & Compliance & Financial Partnerships

Nexi Group, London
2025.02 - 2026.07

SVP/ CFO e-Com

Nexi Group, London
2023.02 - 2025.02

Finance Director

TTOPS Healthcare, London
2019.12 - 2023.02

CFO Regional Sales - Europe/UK&I

Visa Inc, London
2017.03 - 2019.11

Senior Director FP&A, Technology & IFR P&L Separation

Visa Inc, London
2015.07 - 2017.03

Head of Cost Management

Visa Inc, London
2014.10 - 2015.07

Director of Financial Planning (Interim)

British Council, London
2012.09 - 2014.04

Director of Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting (Interim)

British Council, London
2009.09 - 2012.08

Director of Business Analysis & Financial Planning (Interim)

British Council, London
2007.03 - 2009.09

Director of Planning & Analysis – International Membership Rewards

American Express, London
2004.01 - 2007.03

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Economics

Obafemi Awolowo University

Master of Business Administration - Finance

Cranfield School of Management

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - Accountancy

BPP

Chartered Institute of Bankers’ (CIB) - Banking

Chartered Institute of Bankers'
OLAWALE OJO