Shehma Shabbir
Summary
Trusted corporate finance advisor bringing fifteen years’ experience specialising in debt restructuring, corporate lending and finance. Strategic thinker with board level experience and ability to work collaboratively managing multiple complex stakeholders. Robust analytical skills with proven track record of providing critical financial and restructuring advice to deliver client centred solutions at various stages of the business lifecycle, including complex distressed situations. Looking to build on my restructuring experience in an advisory firm in the ME.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Director
UK Government Investment
02.2022 - 02.2025
- Provide the HM Government (HMG) with expertise in corporate finance and governance
- Trusted advisor role to Ministers and departments to support government contingency planning and financial interventions for stressed corporate situations impacting public services, sectors or wider economy
- Leading team to shape Department of Energy, Security & Net Zero response to Plc in oil and gas sector facing potential insolvency, managing external advisors to assess financial risk and options for HMG
- Advising Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Covid-19 loan book (c
- £500m) covering the sports and arts/culture sector
- This includes providing debt restructuring advice to support DCMS’ decision making for high-risk borrowers facing financial distress
- Lead team to support DCMS with financial monitoring of publicly owned public service broadcaster, Channel 4 (c
- 1bn turnover) and advise on borrowing requests requiring Ministers/Secretary of State (SoS) approval
- This involves scrutinising financial results, forecasts and business plans with Channel 4 management, and writing succinct financial reports for seniors/Ministers
- Provided corporate finance advice to DCMS to support the government’s policy decision to privatise Channel 4 in 2022
- This involved working on planning phase of M&A transaction, setting up robust governance, developing business case and external communications strategy
- Led a detailed review of the risk reporting process for the UKGI portfolio of assets and projects (c
- £30bn t/o)
- Line manager duties and coaching of junior staff
- Member of Non-Executive Director as well as talent leadership development programmes
Independent Governor (& Director)
University of Westminster
12.2023 - 02.2025
- Board member of University with c
- £250m turnover, c
- 20k students and 2k staff
- Responsible for the effective conduct of university activities, its strategic development, educational character and mission, and financial health
- Attend 6 board meetings annually, providing constructive challenge to senior executive team and hold them and board to account
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee, providing oversight of risk management, controls and governance
Corporate Finance Advisor
Department for Transport
03.2020 - 01.2022
- As corporate finance centre of excellence, provided critical advice at pace during the Covid-19 crisis to shape DfT’s response and financial intervention across the transport sector, including rail, maritime and aviation
- This involved assessing and challenging company financial information, options analysis, assessing reports from external advisors, appraising DfT’s most senior committee on the impact to services and companies, and writing advice to Ministers/SoS
- Influenced governments response to Eurostar company’s cash crises during Covid-19, delivering critical advice at pace to senior officials, Chancellor, No
- 10, Ministers and Investment Committee, on a range of complex commercial issues, helping deliver a successful outcome for DfT
- Successfully maximised and negotiated with Thameslink company for HMG’s share of value gain from sizeable £1.5bn refinancing of rolling stock, approved by Tier 2 Rail Investment Board and Ministers/SoS
- Completed commercial assurance reviews for decision-making investment committees for projects above £500m or novel and contentious
- Chair of Independent People’s Committee for Directorate of 52 staff, delivering an improvement plan focused on diversity and inclusion, health and wellbeing, and learning and development
Head of Strategic Finance
UK Cabinet Office
11.2018 - 03.2020
- Managed team of 4, working collaboratively with central teams (Strategy and HR) and 47 business units (c
- £1bn budget) to facilitate strategic level decision making to deliver robust spending plans for the department, reporting to SMT, Chancellor Duchy Lancaster, ExCo and HM Treasury
Career Break
11.2017 - 11.2018
- Voluntary charity work in Morocco and travelled in Asia and Europe
Finance Business Partner
Lloyds Banking Group
04.2017 - 11.2017
- Responsible for financial planning and delivering business insights for Head of Loan Financing and 3 Desk Heads (Strategic Debt Finance, Loan Markets, and Infrastructure & Energy), which had combined annual income of £200m+ and c
- £5bn+ balance sheet
Credit Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
07.2013 - 03.2017
- Trusted equal partner to front line Relationship Directors, helping form funding solutions and provide decisions in all credit related matters to meet clients’ needs in private and public sector from working capital support to complex transactions such as M&A, buyouts and refinancings
- Produced succinct credit reports/recommendations for senior management decision making, which involved identifying key credit risks, cashflow modelling to assess debt affordability, scrutinising and challenging client financials and cashflow forecasts
Senior Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
11.2009 - 06.2013
- Supported distressed companies, including debt restructuring specialising in acquisition finance (AF) private equity backed deals from diverse sectors (£50m+ total lending value)
- Scrutinised client financials and adviser IBRs, and produced robust credit proposals approved by SMT
- Managed BSU impairment processes; monthly reporting, budget and forecasts (c
- £1bn annual value)
Education
Diploma in Management Accounting - undefined
BPP University
01.2015 - 01.2016
MSc International Money, Finance and Investment - Honours
Brunel University
01.2008 - 01.2009
BSc Economics and Business Finance - Honours
Brunel University
01.2005 - 01.2008
Custom
Voluntary charity work in Morocco and travelled in Asia and Europe., 11/17, 11/18
Affiliations
- Member of Muslim UK hiking group. Enjoy oil painting and islamic art
Timeline
Independent Governor (& Director)
University of Westminster
12.2023 - 02.2025
Assistant Director
UK Government Investment
02.2022 - 02.2025
Corporate Finance Advisor
Department for Transport
03.2020 - 01.2022
Head of Strategic Finance
UK Cabinet Office
11.2018 - 03.2020
Career Break
11.2017 - 11.2018
Finance Business Partner
Lloyds Banking Group
04.2017 - 11.2017
Diploma in Management Accounting - undefined
BPP University
01.2015 - 01.2016
Credit Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
07.2013 - 03.2017
Senior Analyst
Lloyds Banking Group
11.2009 - 06.2013
MSc International Money, Finance and Investment - Honours
Brunel University
01.2008 - 01.2009
BSc Economics and Business Finance - Honours
Brunel University
01.2005 - 01.2008
Similar Profiles
James CoxJames Cox
London Financial Planning Lead at Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) LimitedLondon Financial Planning Lead at Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) Limited
Jose HenriquesJose Henriques
.NET developer at Investec Wealth & Investment UK.NET developer at Investec Wealth & Investment UK
ROSIE MAKINROSIE MAKIN
Talent Partner at Department, Enterprise, Investment & Trade NSW GovernmentTalent Partner at Department, Enterprise, Investment & Trade NSW Government
Emily LocklearEmily Locklear
Assistant Director at East Carolina University- Center for Communication ExcellenceAssistant Director at East Carolina University- Center for Communication Excellence
Abhisek SasmalAbhisek Sasmal
Assistant Director at Acuity Knowledge PartnersAssistant Director at Acuity Knowledge Partners