Damien Allegret

Experience

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  TEAM TEX GROUP

  Jan 2003 - Aug 2003

  Treasury Accountant

  Team Tex is a French-based company in the Toys, Sporting Goods & Baby Products industry. Team Tex is a global manufacturer of childcare products including car seats, strollers and high chairs. Learn more at http://www.nania.com/

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  Car Seat Specialty Inc

  Sept 2003 - Sept 2005

  VP Treasury Accountant

  Car Seat Specialty is a division of Team Tex, specialised in the distribution of childcare products such as car seat, strollers and high chairs in the USA which are manufactured by Team Tex in France.

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  NOVERGIE

  Nov 2005 - May 2007

  Finance Controller

  Novergie is part of Suez Group, a publicly listed company. It is a utility company which operates largely in the water treatment, waste management sectors and renewable energy. Novergie organises its activities around a number of themes, including coastline protection, the provision of water to those without access, the distribution of water and electricity from alternative sources, the management of industrial impacts and the decontamination of soils.The Group’s environmental-related activities include:- The production and distribution of drinking water and electricity- The treatment of waste water- Design and manufacture of water treatment plants- Management of domestic and industrial waste water- Sorts and processes household, industrial, medical and agricultural waste- Recycles and incinerates waste products or disposes of them in managed landfill sites- Sanitises and de-pollutes contaminated groundLearn more at http://cenovergie.fr/ Show less

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  Wunderman

  Jul 2007 - Feb 2013

  Global Finance Manager

  During my tenure at Y&R/Wunderman in the UK, I played a pivotal role in the Key Client servicing teams in managing the global financial strategies. Specifically, I was a key point of contact for our client procurement teams within the Teammicrosoft global team. My responsibilities included managing the financials of our global advertising business and the CRM business. Internally, I developed dashboards that received approval from our Global management and were widely used by network OpCos worldwide as part of their management packs.Wunderman, consistently ranked among the world’s top digital, CRM, and mobile agencies, delivers deeply connected brand experiences, consumer engagements, data insights, and healthcare marketing solutions that strengthen brands and businesses. Our unique blend of creativity, data, and technology connects customers to moments that truly matter—ranging from iconic events to deeply personal experiences that honor individuality.Founded by Lester Wunderman in 1958, our agency now boasts 175 offices across 60 countries. Our impressive client roster included global giants such as Best Buy, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Ford, Microsoft, Novartis, Pfizer, Telefónica, Shell, United Health Group, and numerous leading local brands. As part of the WPP Group (a publicly listed company, NASDAQ: WPPGY) and the Young & Rubicam Group, Wunderman continues to shape the advertising landscape.Learn more about us at @wunderman and www.wunderman.com. Show less

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  George Patterson Y&R

  Feb 2013 - Aug 2014

  Finance Director

  Between 2013 and 2014 in Australia, I had a crucial objective: to lead the successful implementation of the ERP system (PEGASUS) and develop accounting and management policies for Blaze Advertising Ltd which had been acquired by George Patterson Y&R (GPY&R). Our efforts paid off when we successfully passed the Agency SOX audit, achieving a green status. As the Finance Director of George Patterson Y&R (GPY&R), I also oversaw a substantial finance team comprising over 15 FTEs. Additionally, I collaborated closely with the CEO to manage employees across various major cities.George Patterson Y&R (GPY&R) is an Australasian advertising agency with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. The New Zealand arm of Y&R Group's direct advertising agency operates as Y&R NZ and has offices in Auckland and Wellington. The agency was formed in 2005 when the international advertising holding conglomerate WPP Group, a publicly listed company which acquired the Australian marketing communications company, The Communications Group (TCG). Learn more at http://www.gpyr.com.au/ Show less

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  GroupM

  Apr 2015 - Sept 2018

  Commercial Finance Director, EMEA

  GroupM EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), played a pivotal role in shaping my career. I was tasked by our regional CFO to review the affiliation agreements and established operations in markets where our Group and its Clients were keen to have controlled operations. This includes recruiting and training our local GroupM finance teams, setting up the control environment, setting up our systems, etc. Another key part of my regional scope was to act as Interim GroupM CFO in markets where we were looking for a local permanent resource and worked on the behalf of our regional CFO to standardise our approach to assess the performances of our finance resources across the region (over 800 FTEs in over 50 markets).GroupM is the world’s largest advertising media company in terms of billings. It is headquartered in New York City with over 21,000 employees and 400 global offices in 81 countries. GroupM was formed in 2003 by WPP Group to serve as the parent company of WPP's media agencies including Maxus, MEC, MediaCom, Mindshare, QUISMA, Xaxis, Outrider, Kinetic, Quasar, IEG, Movent, Vocanic, Agency M and Plista. It is a publicly listed company which handles over 32% of the world's media billings making it the world's largest media investment management operation. GroupM offers advertising media selection services including: media planning and media buying, branded content, digital media, ROI and consumer research, internet marketing (digital, direct, search), content creation, social media marketing, out-of-home advertising and entertainment, sponsorship and sports marketing.All of GroupM's agencies are independent global operations in their own right. GroupM works as a parent and collaborator in activities such as trading, content creation, digital advertising, finance, proprietary tool development and other business-critical capabilities. Learn more at http://www.groupm.com/ Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jan 2019 - Mar 2022

  Finance Director

  During this period, I have had the opportunity to work mainly with three dynamic and diverse start-up companies which operate in UK and Europe, gaining valuable experience and developing a versatile skill set. My roles have allowed me to contribute to different industries, including real estate, nutraceuticals & wellness , and storage solutions such as Leading Lettings, Elixinol and EasyStorage. Throughout my tenure with these companies, I have consistently demonstrated adaptability, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results. My diverse experiences have equipped me with a broad perspective and a solid foundation to excel in various professional environments.- Business partner to the Business Owners, assess organizational performance against budget and company’s long-term strategy,- Run the day-to-day financial operations within the company, such as payroll, invoicing, quarterly VAT returns and HMRC processes,- All aspects of daily bookkeeping using MS Dynamics, Xero or QuickBooks software, including bank reconciliation, journals, management of cash flow, debt collection and sales invoicing,- Work with external advisors for tax preparation, payroll, auditing, banking, investments, and other financial needs as necessary, including liaising with customers and suppliers, both in the UK and in Europe,- Track the company’s financial status and performance to identify areas for potential improvement,- Review financial data and prepare monthly management accounts and annual reports,- Prepare financial reports for board members, executives, and investors in formal meetings,- Establish and maintain financial policies and procedures for the company,- Prepare, review and edit financial and legal documentation, working with lawyers on corporate documentation and contracts,- Key member of management team, working closely with the CEO on developing growth plans for the business. Show less

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  Wunderman Thompson Commerce

  Dec 2021 - Nov 2023

  Financial Controller

  In late 2021, I re-joined the WPP Group, a publicly listed company through their Wunderman Thompson network. My primary purpose was to support them during the acquisition of Cloud Commerce Group Ltd, a leading UK-based technology company specializing in helping brands market, sell, and deliver products across various e-commerce platforms and marketplaces globally. These platforms include Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Wayfair. Cloud Commerce Group excels in multi-channel e-commerce software, serving hundreds of European retailers and wholesalers. Their platform integrates with popular marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, accounting systems, payment gateways such as Stripe, and fulfilment partners, facilitating over £1 billion in gross merchandise value annually.Additionally, as part of my role, I implemented the NetSuite (Oracle) accounting system to support a new line of business at WPP called Everymile.Wunderman Thompson, headquartered in New York, is a global marketing communications agency with 200 offices across 90 markets. It became a distinct entity in 2018, following the merger of agencies J. Walter Thompson and Wunderman under the WPP Group umbrella. However, on October 17, 2023, WPP announced that Wunderman Thompson would be merged into VMLY&R. Show less

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  Freelance (Self employed)

  Dec 2024 - now

  Fractional Finance Director

  I work closely with business owners to provide financial clarity, structure, and confidence helping businesses move from fast growth to lasting success. Let’s discuss how I can support your journey. Fractional Finance Director Services:For businesses that need strategic financial leadership without the full-time commitment, I provide hands-on expertise in financial decision-making, cash flow management, and investment planning. My focus is on ensuring financial stability while positioning businesses for future opportunities.Financial Controls & Compliance Review:Scaling fast? Growth often leads to financial blind spots. I help businesses strengthen their financial protocols, ensuring compliance with SOX, IFRS, and other international regulations. By improving controls and processes, businesses reduce risk and enhance their credibility with investors, partners, and buyers.Financial Process Optimisation & ERP Implementation:As companies expand, outdated financial processes can hinder growth. I work with businesses to streamline reporting, automate workflows, and implement scalable ERP systems like NetSuite, ensuring financial operations keep pace with expansion.Mergers & Acquisitions Preparation:Whether you’re raising capital, or preparing for an acquisition, I ensure your financials tell a compelling, well-structured story. From financial due diligence to restructuring, I help businesses get deal-ready and maximise their valuation.Building a Scalable Finance Function:A growing business needs a finance team that can keep up. I mentor and structure finance functions to support expansion, ensuring strong financial management, better reporting, and long-term sustainability. Show less