Vernon Rato
Waterlooville,Hampshire
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in project management, strategic planning, and process mapping. Demonstrates strong team leadership and proficiency in SAP GTS configuration and customs automation. Skilled in tender and contract negotiation, supply chain operations, and crisis management. Well-versed in the Union Customs Code (UCC) and automation of SAP GTS (Global Trade Solution). Committed to driving operational efficiency and achieving organisational goals through innovative solutions.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work history
Founder & Principal Consultant
VernonRato Limited
Waterlooville, Hampshire
02.2019 - 01.2026
- Delivered tailored customs consultancy across IPR, AEO, CW, classification, origin, and SAP GTS automation.
- Reviewed operational practices of freight forwarders to implement SOPs and enhance systems.
- Supported global import and export operations through tariff classification and compliance assessments.
- Prepared and evaluated applications for IPR, AEO, and Customs Warehousing regimes.
Interim EMEA Trade Compliance Manager
Estee Lauder Group
Petersfield, Hampshire
04.2025 - 01.2026
- Provided interim leadership for Customs teams across UK, BE, CZ and CH.
- Oversaw AEO, IPR, and month-end processes to ensure compliance.
- Recovered outstanding duty on IPR re-export transactions between January 2022 and October 2025.
Customs Consultant
Carousel Logistics
Birmingham, West Midlands
03.2024 - 01.2026
- Facilitated acquisition of Internal Temporary Storage Facility authorisation for operations in Maastricht.
- Streamlined business processes, achieving successful completion of Customs Guarantee application.
- Conducted detailed audits of UK customs entries to identify compliance gaps and optimisation opportunities.
Customs Consultant
ClearBorder
London, City of London
05.2024 - 01.2026
- Conducted gap analysis for export controls to identify compliance deficiencies.
- Performed import/export compliance audits and validated MSS data at 10% and 100% levels.
Customs Consultant
Solenis UK Ltd
Bradford, North Yorkshire
03.2022 - 10.2024
- Delivered training for CMS export declarations to enhance compliance.
- Provided onsite Hypercare during broker transition to ensure seamless operations.
- Supported global preference and origin processes, integrating SAP IPR automation.
AEO Project Manager
Abcam PLC
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
11.2020 - 12.2022
- Led AEO re-accreditation efforts, focusing on controls, procedures, and SharePoint governance.
- Chaired weekly stakeholder meetings to facilitate communication and collaboration.
- Supported compilation of evidence for accreditation compliance.
Customs Consultant
Nagel Langdons
Dover, Kent
10.2020 - 12.2022
- Assessed accreditation regimes to ensure continuity following Brexit.
- Provided guidance on customs regulations and addressed customer queries.
Customs Consultant
Renishaw UK
Wooton on Edge, Gloucestershire
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Conducted IPR readiness assessments and developed risk matrices to identify potential issues.
- Ensured ownership, procedures, and scrap processes complied with HMRC requirements.
Customs Consultant
INEOS Automotive
London, City of London
05.2020 - 12.2021
- Facilitated customs readiness across UK and EU for successful market launch.
- Evaluated Customs IT solutions, implementing classification and origin frameworks.
- Supported selection of Customs IT solution, aiding tendering process and implementation.
Customs Consultant
Carousel Logistics
Birmingham, West Midlands
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Supported CHIEF declarations and resolved hardcoding errors efficiently.
- Acted as subject matter expert in customer data requirement meetings to provide insights.
Customs Brexit Project Manager
Unilever Group
Leatherhead, Surrey
05.2019 - 05.2020
- Led cross-Europe Customs workstreams and produced comprehensive governance documentation.
- Developed capabilities within dispatch teams to ensure Brexit readiness.
Customs Manager
Estee Lauder Group
Petersfield, Hampshire
03.2016 - 05.2019
- Re-engineered customs processes to ensure adherence to ISO and SOX standards.Managed compliance with HMRC regulations for Customs and Trade across the company.
- Re-engineered customs processes to ensure adherence to ISO and SOX standards.
- Completed IPR and PCC returns to HMRC, renewing IPR applications per UCC and CFSP transactions.
- Calculated cost impacts of Brexit while overseeing automated Customs brokerage.
- Oversaw internal audits, ensuring strict compliance with company controls, policies, and procedures.
Customs Compliance Officer
Ultra Electronics Control Division
Greenford, Ealing
07.2011 - 03.2016
- Authorised freight invoices for both import and export, checking against agreed rates.
- Designing and leading workshops for import and export teams relating to international trade.
- Conducting reviews to identify business issues and risks, collaborating with Senior Management for Duty savings.
- Performed internal audits at Head Office to ensure compliance through effective communication and training.
- Authorised freight invoices for import and export, verifying against agreed rates.
- Designed and led workshops for import and export teams on international trade practices.
Education
Diploma in World Customs Compliance and Regulations - World Customs and Regulations
Institute of Export
PeterboroughDiploma in International Trade - International Trade
Institute of Export
PeterboroughSkills
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Process Mapping
- Team Leadership
- SAP GTS configuration & customs automation
- Tender & Contract Negotiation
- Supply Chain Operations
- Crisis Management
- Union Customs Code (UCC)
- Automation of SAP GTS (Global Trade Solution)
Accomplishments
- Spearheaded Unilever UK's AEO Accreditation and supported EU application, embedding long-term customs governance.
- Delivered a five-year Customs strategy including structural redesign, capability-building and governance uplift.
- Led monthly cross-functional reviews as part of SOX and Customs governance, ensuring audit readiness.
- Designed and executed inbound/outbound customs testing for Estée Lauder's new Czech Republic distribution centre.
- Secured £865,000 in duty reclaims and delivered over £100m in IPR-related duty savings through reengineered processes.
- Optimised tariff classification and negotiated improved duty outcomes across multiple portfolios.
- Improved profit margins at Ultra Electronics through reclassification and HS Code optimisation.
- Managed ITAR, EAR, ECCN and Dual Use licensing frameworks across regulated environments.
Timeline
Interim EMEA Trade Compliance Manager
Estee Lauder Group
04.2025 - 01.2026
Customs Consultant
ClearBorder
05.2024 - 01.2026
Customs Consultant
Carousel Logistics
03.2024 - 01.2026
Customs Consultant
Solenis UK Ltd
03.2022 - 10.2024
Customs Consultant
Renishaw UK
01.2022 - 05.2022
AEO Project Manager
Abcam PLC
11.2020 - 12.2022
Customs Consultant
Carousel Logistics
11.2020 - 02.2021
Customs Consultant
Nagel Langdons
10.2020 - 12.2022
Customs Consultant
INEOS Automotive
05.2020 - 12.2021
Customs Brexit Project Manager
Unilever Group
05.2019 - 05.2020
Founder & Principal Consultant
VernonRato Limited
02.2019 - 01.2026
Customs Manager
Estee Lauder Group
03.2016 - 05.2019
Customs Compliance Officer
Ultra Electronics Control Division
07.2011 - 03.2016
Diploma in World Customs Compliance and Regulations - World Customs and Regulations
Institute of Export
Diploma in International Trade - International Trade
Institute of Export