Chris Laud

Experience

• 

  KPMG

  Jan 1988 - Jan 1993

  Audit Manager
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  Rolls-Royce plc

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1995

  Corporate Auditor
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  Boots UK

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2003

  I managed of a team of six charged with the annual budgeting process and production of key management reports on Boots the Chemist. I notably:⁻ Developed new gross margin and price inflation analysis to improve business understanding⁻ Seconded to Boots Manufacturing, I worked on a project utilising lean manufacturing to minimise waste and improve efficiency

  • Financial Planning and Reporting Accountant

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  • Accounting Manager

    Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

  • Systems Development Manager

    Jan 1995 - Jan 1998
• 

  Boots UK

  Jan 2004 - Oct 2009

  Led team of 32 providing financial support to the property, supply chain, IT, operations development and store implementation departments with a substantial combined annual spend and capital investment. Working with the Operations Director on strategic initiatives to manage costs, I notably:⁻ I produced multi-million cost efficiencies against the 2008/09 and 2009/10 budgets and delivered a substantial capital saving while protecting EBIT⁻ Amalgamated two financial support offices into one, improving efficiency, eliminating duplication of roles and cutting costs⁻ Introduced new robust governance to improve management of capital investment⁻ Changed the culture of the operations finance team, making it more attractive, raising the number of internal applications (20) for vacancies Show less The remit of Board Director of retail chain of 50 stores, accountable for business strategy and long-term financial planning. Partnered Managing Director in performance and strategic reviews with private equity owners. My notable achievements included: ⁻ I delivered 26 percent EBIT growth in 2006/07 and 28 percent in 2008/09 despite the recession ⁻ Led and negotiated the Group’s first overseas retail acquisition for over 10 years; performed due diligence and developed business case to secure unbudgeted investment from the Board⁻ Recognised the necessity and was the driving force in implementing cultural change to meet the strategic challenges and opportunities in Ireland⁻ Partnered with the Managing Director to form an enhanced leadership team for Irish business. Subsequently initiated the move into health centres to help develop the pharmacy business ⁻ Identified tax errors from prior years, recovered a substantial amount from Irish tax authorities and worked with specialist advisors to defeat challenge from authorities on UK to Ireland transfer pricing arrangements Show less Reporting to the CFO, I was accountable for all aspects of FTSE 100 investor relations. My other duties included: ⁻ I worked with the CEO on ongoing strategy and one-off events such a proposed merger and disposal of a £2 billion subsidiary. Developed relationships with key investors and sell-side analysts, gaining support for merger after initial hostility⁻ Prepared City presentations and news releases regarding annual/interim results, trading updates and ad-hoc announcements⁻ Coordinated with Investment Relations Officers at other UK general retailers to help develop best practice Show less

  • Director of Finance - Operations

    Oct 2008 - Oct 2009

  • Finance Director - Boots Retail Ireland Ltd

    Mar 2007 - Oct 2008

  • Programme Manager

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  • Director of Investor Relations

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2007
• 

  THRG Ltd

  Oct 2009 - Oct 2011

  Group Finance Director

  Recruited, developed, mentored and oversaw the activities of a finance team of six Managed relationships with bank, auditors and HMRC Managed suppliers and implemented finance control processes such as payment mandates, delegated authorities, employee terms and conditions, expenses policies and key controls

• 

  Pedigree Wholesale Ltd

  Oct 2011 - Mar 2019

  Finance/IT Director

  Remit of Company Director, Secretary, and full business partner to the Managing Director, influencing strategic, commercial and financial matters. I lead a team of 14 across four sites, managing day-to-day financial and IT aspects including financial planning, reporting and transactional accounting. My notable achievements include:⁻ I played a pivotal role in acquiring 18 stores from administration, integrating them into the business, and managed the acquisition funds, refit investment and working capital⁻ Managed the full life-cycle of the systems replacement project, coordinating delivery of three software solutions and interfaces – ERP, WMS and B2B website. I led the upgrading of IT infrastructure to a modern virtualised environment, introduced outsourced IT support and oversaw Company’s successful R&D tax credit claim for new IT solution⁻ Developed a KPI reporting system to improve understanding of business model and increase visibility of performance and cost drivers⁻ Introduced better management of asset finance, stock, trade debtor control and supplier payment, resulting in a substantial improvement in cash position ⁻ Improved financial systems relating to credit control, automated payment processes and customer returns⁻ Implemented a new payroll system and managed implementation of RTI and auto enrolment Show less

• 

  C.W. SELLORS (GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS) LIMITED

  Apr 2019 - now

  Working closely with the Owner/Managing Director in managing the performance and development of this high growth multi-channel retailer in the jewellery and luxury watches sector.

  • Financial Director

    Dec 2022 - now

  • Head Of Finance

    Apr 2019 - Jan 2023