Colin Bamford

Experience

• 

  Colgate Palmolive

  Jul 1972 - Apr 1977

  Financial Supervisor

  It was great place to gain experience, and while I was there, I took and passed my CIMA exams.

• 

  Hilti GB Limited

  Apr 1977 - Aug 1978

  Management Accountant

  They were about four months behind in producing management accounts. We caught up and achieved a lot more besides. It was here I met Barbara, and Jack Mundy.

• 

  Hasselfors (UK) Ltd

  Aug 1978 - Oct 1981

  Company Accountant - promoted to Company Secretary

  Replaced the ridiculous Kienzle 6000 visible records computer with a Datasaab D15 mini computer. Once I realised that Jack Mundy could be a key member of the installation, the choice was simple, and Dave Chamberlain was the perfect salesman - whatever happened to him?Jack and I developed a forward schedule of activity for every product line, to permit planning.The result of being able to give customers accurate delivery promises for the first time, was that the company doubled its turnover in just a few months. Show less

• 

  GKN CHEP Ltd

  Oct 1981 - Jun 1987

  • Regional Manager

    Jun 1986 - Jun 1987

  • Finance Development Manager

    Jan 1985 - Jun 1986

  • Commercial Manager

    Oct 1981 - Jan 1985
• 

  Cypher Business Systems Ltd

  Jun 1987 - Jun 1989

  Financial Director

  The company's prime focus was in developing and installing bespoke wholesale/distribution software, although it also had clients in a variety of other businesses. The external accountants had been doing all the serious accounting, with just sales and purchase ledger being done in-house. I was the company's first accountant, so brought all accounting functions into the business. I played a major part in relocating Cypher from converted terrace houses in Crewe to a purpose built business park in Runcorn New Town. Show less

• 

  Zetex plc

  Jan 1993 - May 1993

  Interim Financial Controller

  I was acting Financial Controller pending the appointment of a permanent replacement, and progressed the implementation of Promix integrated computer system on DEC Vax.

• 

  BPB Paperboard Ltd

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1997

  Divisional Accountant

  I was responsible for all accounting and systems development.We installed integrated GL, PL and SL at 5 sites, introducing computerised raw material and finished goods stock systems. I improved the quality and timing of monthly accounts and reduced departmental staff from 8 to 6.

• 

  Westgate Textiles Ltd

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Accountant

  Until I came on the scene, only the daily accounting tasks had been done by the staff on site. The rest was done by a firm of accountants. My role was to bring as much as possible in-house and ensure that coding and posting was in line with company policy and to make reporting more meaningful.

• 

  Norcros plc

  May 2005 - Jan 2006

  Head Office and Property Accountant

  Maternity cover.

• 

  Crest Pay Ltd

  Jan 2006 - Sept 2006

  Financial Controller

  Interim Financial Controller during systems change.

• 

  Booths

  Sept 2006 - Mar 2010

  Wholesale Controller

  I was asked to find out why the unknown stock difference had amounted to £4.9m over 15 months.

• 

  Renovo

  Apr 2010 - Nov 2010

  Management Accountant

  This was maternity cover and in some ways quite straightforward. The complication was that behind the management accounts was a costing system to provide expenditure control for the various drug trials and projects. The FC responded well to my need to improve, enhance and simplify the processes.

• 

  Lex Autolease

  Dec 2010 - Dec 2011

  Reconciliations Accountant

  The leasing account for the biggest customer (13,500 vehicles) had not been reconciled for years(?) because it was self-billing. Unmatched cash had risen to £2.5m (now zero). I accepted the challenge of sorting it out! The major problems were the vast amounts of data, and convincing people that this account was different so the normal rules did not apply. My work completed I've moved on to a fresh challenge!

• 

  Global Management Services Ltd

  Jan 2012 - Nov 2012

  Year End Accountant

  Helping a new and rapidly growing company to bring their accounting into line with their success elsewhere. We're past the first hurdle which was to get the audit completed, and now we're aiming to get the current systems and procedures running in a professional manner.

• 

  Nakano UK Vinegar Ltd

  Nov 2012 - May 2013

  Interim Financial Accountant

  We're having fun extracting the parts that Nakano have acquired from the Premier Foods accounts. There is a lot to do, and it's complicated by PF having a different year-end, and the plan to go live with MS Dynamics AX has been put back to 1st July which is also the planned separation date!

• 

  Bodycote

  Aug 2013 - Sept 2013

  Interim Financial Accountant
• 

  The Co-operative Banking Group

  Sept 2013 - Nov 2013

  Reconciliations and MI Support Advisor
• 

  Prince Minerals Ltd

  Dec 2013 - Mar 2014

  Interim Management Accountant

  It was a great place to work, but the travel was awful! Eventually, common sense prevailed.

• 

  Traffic Penalty Tribunal

  Mar 2014 - Sept 2014

  Acting Finance Manager
• 

  Lumenpulse AlphaLED

  Oct 2014 - Jun 2015

  Collections Accountant
• 

  English Lacrosse Association

  Apr 2015 - May 2015

  Interim Accountant

  Reviewing the billing of lacrosse coaches to universities and schools.

• 

  MANPLAS LIMITED

  Jul 2015 - Mar 2016

  Accountant

  Manplas Ltd specialises in the production of high quality vacuum formings in a wide variety of heavy gauge "Engineering" thermo plastics.

• 

  Mason & Vaughan Ltd

  Mar 2016 - Nov 2016

  Management Accountant
• 

  WAINHOMES (NORTH WEST) LIMITED

  Oct 2017 - Dec 2017

  Accountant
• 

  Old Altrinchamians’ Association

  Nov 2018 - Mar 2022

  President
• 

  North Cestrian School

  Apr 2019 - now

  Chair of Governors
• 

  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

  Nov 2019 - Oct 2022

  Public Governor at Christie Hospital