Darren Smith

Experience

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  Inland Revenue

  Sept 2000 - Aug 2001

  Revenue Assistant

  Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, MaidstoneI undertook day to day general office administration tasks to assist in the smooth running and general welfare of the office as a whole. The tasks included sorting internal and external post, sort and send post to customers, order stationary for West Kent Area, provide customer services by helping to man the reception and provide general welfare to the office.

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  Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs

  Aug 2001 - Feb 2008

  Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, London In my previous role I was working in London for a team based at the Serious Organised Crime Agency looking at financial intelligence and the ways that direct and indirect taxes are affected by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Anti Money Laundering Regulations Act 2003. This work entailed analysis of financial intelligence products and dissemination of quality intelligence packages to enable HMRC officers to assist in closing the tax gap. I also dealt with and assisted in consent cases submitted by financial services companies and the impact some financial transactions may have on criminal activities and the Proceeds of Crime Act as a whole. All of this work was seconded to the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Show less Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, MaidstoneI utilised my skills to assist Limited Companies with their tax affairs to aid the smooth running of their business dealing with the specialist Construction Industry Scheme tax area. I was the specialist in Kent dealing with he day to day issues surrounding the CIS scheme. This involved face to face meeting with customers to set up CIS schemes for limited companies, processing of all CIS forms, contact with all customers including accountants and internal members of staff, undertaking my own learning needs and raining others using my knowledge. I was the main contact for all CIS issues, acting as a referral for technical experts in CIS reform and dealing with compliance issues that run with the CIS scheme. With this role I also assisted in general Corporation Tax queries and the processing of Corporation Tax returns and learnt general queries dealing with Employers PAYE tax relating to the CIS scheme and the repayments involved. Show less

  • Assistant Intelligence Officer

    Jan 2007 - Feb 2008

  • Assistant Officer

    Aug 2001 - Jan 2007
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  SIMS Claims Services Ltd

  Mar 2008 - Oct 2012

  Insurance Theft Investigator

  In this role I was working as a Motor Insurance Theft Investigator for SIMS Claims Services Ltd, part of the Axa group. My role entailed me using my extensive knowledge and experience to handle and Investigate high value (£20k plus) theft claims. I conducted extensive enquiries into potentially fraudulent claims to make informed decision's into the validity of the claim and whether the claim passes necessary indemnity checks. My role consisted of conducting telephone interviews to gain vital information on the circumstances of the incident and utilising insurance fraud tools such as CACHE and MIAFTR to enable me to validate a claim. Should I feel further investigation is required I liaised with external Claims Inspectors, local Police Authorities and forensic engineers for further information in order to repudiate suspect fraudulent claims. During the enquiry process I would also use my extensive knowledge on the policy terms and conditions to refer indemnity issues to the Underwriting Policy Validation Department for possible voidance. My duties also included the training of fellow staff members, auditing theft claims to minimise leakage, dealing with technical queries and claims, dealing with policyholder complaints both verbally and written, compiling of management information and deputising for the Technical Claims Validation Unit Team Leader with basic management tasks. Show less

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  Allianz Insurance

  Sept 2012 - Jul 2021

  My current role is that of Sales Support at Allianz Commercial in Maidstone. This role entails specialist analysis and compilation of various reports using various MI sources. My role is to provide support and focus to the Business Developers by providing key analysis of MI and in turn providing guidance to enable them to take actions to meet our growth ambitions. My role also entails providing statistical analysis to our Development Underwriters to enable them to focus their efforts in developing key accounts. Also in this role I have the responsibility of monitoring the local budget to ensure our spend is in line with budgeted figures as well as providing administrative support for our Branch Manager. I also play a key role in the planning of Broker events ensuring we are making full use of our market footprint. Show less

  • Sales Support

    Aug 2017 - Jul 2021

  • Assistant Fleet Underwriter

    Sept 2012 - Jul 2017
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  Smudger Music Productions

  Jul 2017 - Jan 2019

  Mix Engineer and Entrepreneur

  What started as a hobby I have taken the leap of faith and set up a side business as a Mix Engineer in the music industry. This role is freelance and involves collaborating with local artists/singer songwriters/bands who have recorded their own music and I then utilise my skillset to Mix their songs to get them ready for Mastering or Digital Release. For further details please visit www.smudgermusicproductions.co.uk

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  Mastering In The Box

  Jan 2019 - now

  Mastering Engineer/Educator and Video Conferencing Specialist
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  Sounds Simple Studio/Mastering In The Box/SMP Mastering Solutions

  Jan 2019 - Aug 2021

  Audio Mix/Mastering Engineer/Educator and Video Conferencing Specialist

  Educator in the field of Digital Audio, Mixing and Mastering under the brand name Sounds Simple Studio, and host of the increasingly popular YouTube Channel 'Sounds Simple Studio'.Mixing and Mastering Services provided to all Artists and all Genres.Video Conferencing Specialist with advanced knowledge of OBS.Product Review Specialist for Digital Audio and Audiophile products.

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  Progressive Sound Audio

  Jul 2022 - now

  Mastering Engineer and Business Owner