| Dave Betts FCCA | High Wycombe, Bucks davebbetts@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/davebbetts www.davebbetts.com |
Finance Director / CFO / MD / Director
I have over 25 years’ commercial accountancy experience with some of the world’s foremost companies including Dell, Pfizer, Dun & Bradstreet and Blackberry in the UK & Canada. Managing global teams of up to 30 with budgetary responsibilities of up to $300m, I have designed and implemented large-scale projects such as a Global Channel Program driving over 20% revenue growth in the UK alone. My understanding of how small businesses operate, and the challenges SMEs face was heightened by having built, developed, and sold my own business in Canada. With M&A experience and exposure to the Private Equity / Venture Capital sectors I am seeking a position as a Managing Director, Finance Director, CFO or General Manager of a SME ideally within the technology, telecommunications, pharmaceutical or FMCG sectors. I am flexible concerning location and hours
| Blue Chip P&L Responsibility | 1. Global Channel program design & rollout, 20% sales growth |
| Project Management | 2. Saved $400m from COGS as Finance lead at Blackberry |
| Cost Reduction Strategist | 3. Built, grew, and sold $0.5m catering & food truck business |
| Global Crisis Management | 4. Designed a global pricing system creating $20m of value |
| Team Creation/Performance | 5. Creatively avoided $20m contractual penalty |
Career Experience
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation provides commercial data, analytics, and insights for businesses.
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – UK/I & WORLD-WIDE NETWORK (Nov 2020 to present)
- $300m Direct Business Revenue responsibility.
- Leading team of 13, creating a new org structure.
- Creatively avoided $20m contractual penalty, accelerated $3m cash flow by 7 years.
- Negotiating with external partners driving $250m of complex 5/10-year contracts.
- 10.2% 3-year compound sales growth averaging 105% of related annual plans.
- Finance lead in $40m partner selection and strategic market set-up.
Magicard Ltd, UK
Private Equity Owned, Magicard is a pioneer of ID card printing technologies.
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL FINANCE & CHANNEL (May 2018 to Dec 2019)
Key Achievements;
- Led a multi-functional global team of 30 based in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America.
- Designed, built, and rolled out Magicard’s first Channel Program to customers worldwide, including elements for pricing, rebates, new products, marketing, and technical support.
- Drove UK revenue growth >20% in 3% market by radically changing distribution network.
- Improved sales per rep efficiency 61% and profitability 30%.
- Presented to Board members on Channel Program progress, sales KPI’s & profitability.
- Replaced weak one-page contract with robust 5-year contracts that meant 80% of global revenue was now covered, setting the business up for a successful sale.
HEAD OF COMMERCIAL FINANCE (Jul 2015 to Jan 2018)
Key Achievements;
- $80m Direct Business P&L responsibility.
- Maximised upfront revenue to 60% from 30%, whilst adhering to IFRS15 / ASC 606.
- Achieved an outstanding 9/10 Net Promoter Score (NPS) in a 360-degree feedback survey.
- Closed over $10m/yr multi-year deals including face to face customer & legal negotiations.
- Led key Sustainable High Performance (SHP) initiative, inspiring people to adopt principles of Movement, Recovery, Mindset and Nutrition bringing best self to work and home.
ATS Automation, Canada
Automation Tooling Systems based in Canada, designs and builds factory automation systems.
SENIOR DIRECTOR FINANCE (Oct 2014 to Jun 2015)
Key Achievements;
- $100m Project P&L responsibility.
- Led a team of 5 located in Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland and Canada.
- Saved $10m closure costs and 50 jobs by leading divestment of a division to Chinese buyer.
- Worldwide co-ordination and ROI analysis of $20m projects.
- Presented segment performance and KPI’s to Board members.
Great British Bake, Canada (Personal Catering and Food Truck Business)
Created $0.5m turnover business that was then sold for profit. Clients included Google and Microsoft.
OWNER (Jul 2012 to May 2015)
Key Achievements;
- Hired a team of 5, providing mentoring and training.
- Grew sales 400% as owner of Great British Bake to $0.5m/yr.
- A leader in the food truck movement to gain increased access to locations via presentations at city council meetings, appearances on live TV and interviews in newspapers.
- Negotiated several co-promotions and secured large orders with UK, local and global companies Inc. Google, Microsoft, Fever Tree, Belvoir, pastry makers and local providers.
Blackberry, Canada
DIRECTOR OF HANDHELD FINANCE (Oct 2009 to Oct 2013)
Key Achievements;
- Reduced $400m from operating costs by changing product sourcing strategy and heads.
- Prevented financial penalties of $2m to $20m by the introduction of a global pricing system.
- Decisive in times of trouble reducing headcount 50% (10 to 5) at Blackberry saving $0.5m.
- Built global pricing system to optimise pricing and profit for 40m unit/yr. Handset business.
Dell, SMB FINANCE MANAGER, Dell Canada (Jan 2006 to Oct 2009), Dell, UK (Dec 2003 to Jan 2006)
- Owned & located a centralised European project successfully saving sales reps >10% time.
Pfizer, UK SALES FINANCE MANAGER (Feb 1992 to Mar 2003)
Key Achievements;
- £50m Animal Health P&L responsibility.
- Responsible for Financial Due Diligence of £60m sector for acquisition of Warner Lambert.
- Presented to Board members of Animal Health at the headquarters in New York.
Education & Credentials
Professional Development: ACCA 1998, FCCA 2003, CPA 2014, Dual British & Canadian Passport.
Technical Proficiency: Office suite, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Concur, e-Commerce tools, Social Media.
Education: Dane Court Grammar School, 3 A Levels and 10 GCSE’s.