Roberto Salvatori

Experience

• 

  Seven Dials Playhouse

  Oct 2008 - Oct 2016

  Director of Finance & Operations

  The UK’s leading provider of Continuous Professional Development training for actors and a place for them to network, share ideas and develop new skills in a professional nurturing environment. The organisation also runs the Tristan Bates Theatre which forms part of its charitable activity.Key AchievementsRepositioned the Finance role at the heart of the decision-making team rather than being a passive participant as had been the organisational culture. Amalgamated the Finance and Operations functions through deeper understanding of the Centre’s commercial needs. Took on projects across all departments beyond the normal scope of a finance function which facilitated the development of problem-solving skills. Highlights include:• Re-engineered finance processes and established new budgetary controls • Restructured frontline customer-facing departments to deliver consistent customer service in line with organisational policies which I was instrumental in shaping• Directed the organisation through a radical change process during the acquisition of Salesforce as its in-house database which revolutionised its performance and operation• Directed the creation, development, implementation and operation of two new websites and their integration with the organisation’s database Show less

• 

  Wac Arts

  Jan 2017 - Aug 2017

  Director of Finance & Commercial Operations

  Inclusive Performing Arts and Media Programme charity offering innovative training to young people aged 5-26 from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities. The charity is supported by the commercial letting of offices and studios at its Hampstead Town Hall location.

• 

  Prospect union

  May 2018 - Jun 2019

  Contract Project Accountant

  Trade Union (£22M turnover and c.250 staff) representing engineers, scientists and tech experts in the public and private sectors, and non-performance workers in the media and entertainment industries.One year before taking on this appointment, Prospect acquired BECTU, a well-established union in the media and entertainment industry. As Project Accountant, I was responsible for aligning BECTU’s financial procedures with those of Prospect, leading eventually to the adoption of the parent’s accounting software. This involved conducting a detailed finance audit and examining all financial procedures across income generating departments. I implemented new practices to achieve efficiencies and improved accuracy with a focus on automating tasks where possible and re-engineered credit management processes to eliminate overstatements in financial reporting. This greatly assisted in the preparation of quarterly Management Accounts for which I was also responsible.The result was a more streamlined year-end processes from having accurate quarterly information and tighter controls in place during the course of the year.My duties also covered producing first draft organisational budgets for Prospect and working with department heads in the role of Finance Business Partner. I also played a key role in the production of Prospect’s consolidated year-end accounts and liaised extensively with auditors during the process. Show less

• 

  SPANA

  Jul 2019 - Sept 2020

  Finance Manager

  SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)UK animal welfare charity (£7.6M turnover and 50 staff) active in Africa and Asia focused on • veterinary treatments for working animals • training animal owners and local vets • teaching young people to become kind, compassionate owners of the future.I am currently on contract at SPANA to oversee the day to day operation of the Finance Department while the charity engaged in a change of its accounting programme from Sage 50 to Microsoft Dynamics. This involved working with a team of 2 finance assistants.I have also been responsible for producing their monthly Management Accounts and assisted in preparing their year-end accounts and answering audit queries.With the introduction of Dynamics, I have redesigned and implemented company-wide processes to align with functionalities delivered by the Dynamics programme with the aim of achieving efficiencies and greater departmental controls. This has involved establishing new Accounts Payable routines and controls around invoice and expense processing.I have also been instrumental in introducing the concept of Finance Partnering to staff from other departments and encouraged formation of closer ties with members of other teams focussing on expense control. Show less