Managing Director, Kingsmere Finance Directors
Describe what you do.
Many people are familiar with outsourcing functions such as HR, IT and marketing, but they’re less likely
to think of accessing a finance resource in this way. I’m an experienced finance director providing
financial management help to businesses either on a project or consultancy basis. This may be because
the business can’t afford its own resource, an existing finance team is struggling with its workload, or a “fresh pair of eyes” is needed.
What is your business background?
I qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG with spells in manufacturing, distribution, and advertising before being appointed as Finance Director of a large law firm in Leeds/Bradford. After three years, I wanted a break from being an accountant, so I went it alone and started a distribution business, a franchise covering the North East, which I ran for over 20 years. However, people kept ringing me up
asking me to help them with various problems and projects. I realised that I missed this type of work,
so I became a full-time “part-time Finance Director”.
What attracted you to being your own boss?
Having watched other people do it and with a latent
entrepreneurial urge, I was keen to see if I could make
a go of the franchise myself, which I did, turning it
into one of the largest of its kind in the country. It
was hard work in the challenging retail sector, but
the experience means I know what it’s like at the
sharp end when talking to the businesses I now help.
What’s the difference between what you do and a business accountant?
We fulfil two almost entirely different roles, and I tend
to work closely with my client’s existing accountants.
They generally look at the history of their client’s
business, providing a set of accounts and tax return
at a specific date. They’re very good at what they do,
but they rarely have board level commercial expertise
and experience. I focus on where a business is today
and where it is going in the future. Most external
accountants are in touch with their clients once or
twice a year. However, a part-time Finance Director
has an ongoing relationship with at least monthly or
even weekly contact through regular phone calls and
catch ups. I provide commercial analysis, awareness
of the wider business environment, and often, most
importantly, am a sounding-board for the chief
executive or managing director. Running a business
is a very lonely place at times, and to have someone
who can provide an informed and objective strategic
overview, as well as bounce ideas off, is a valuable
resource.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m working with a variety of businesses, either on
an ongoing or a project basis, including a large hotel,
law firm, software company, soft furnishing designer,
equestrian operation, commercial dry-cleaners,
building project, holiday accommodation provider,
industrial distributor, community sports club,
children’s mental health charity and a commercial
ironing business. I am also helping three start-ups
to raise funding. I have recently been appointed to
the Investment Board of the North of Tyne Rural
Business Growth Service. So, life is busy and varied.
Describe a typical day for you.
The attraction of what I do is that it doesn’t exist.
One day I can be working with a £7million turnover
operation, the next day with a £100k micro-business.
The range of problems differs from business to
business, from day to day. So, it’s a real variety of
work and it keeps things interesting.
How do you like to relax?
I do some choral singing. I follow obscure rock
bands from all around the world. Whilst not exactly
relaxing, I am a long-term sufferer/supporter of
Newcastle United, and I like watching many sports.
I also enjoy getting out to the countryside or to the
coast with my family, ending up having a nice meal
somewhere.
What’s your favourite aspect of life in the North East?
The fact that you can quickly get from Newcastle City Centre to the coast and a range of stunning scenery of all different types. The region is a “village” when it comes to business, there is a real sense of
community. I enjoy building relationships with those with whom I regularly come into contact.
What do you find the most rewarding about your job?
I know what it is like to set up and then run a business. Making an impact on the bottom line of a business, regardless of its size, together with the knock-on effect in terms of confidence and ambition
for the people that sit behind the business, is extremely rewarding. It’s not the size of the business
that matters, it’s the size of the problem. I look at what’s keeping the management team awake at night and can hopefully provide pragmatic support if they are feeling overwhelmed, particularly in the
current climate.
