Selected Experience and Case Studies
Examples of Kellie's Experience:
Transactions (Mergers, Acquisitions & Disposals):
Shareholder Succession and Restructure:
An SME jointly owned by 2 co-founding partners. Both were at different stages in their lives and whilst one wanted to pass his half of the business down to his children, the other partner wanted to sell and realise the value of his shares. I facilitated, documented and worked through a deal with the lawyers to find a deal that worked for both shareholders. Not only did it enable the purchase of shares from the selling partner over a few years (where the price to be paid was determined by a profitability formula), but it simultaneously led to the creation of an Employee Benefit Trust, whereby shares were gifted to key employees.
Merger and Acquisition:
The business was acquired by a US-based company. I oversaw accounting for the acquisition and merging of the Finance teams. Later, having initially experienced the acquisition from the perspective of the acquired business, I became heavily involved in the due diligence required on a business that we acquired in the UK, as well as the acquisition of a subsidiary organisation that was spun off from its large corporate parent, based in India.
Due Diligence:
I was brought in by an organisation, specifically to support the due diligence of an acquisition target, modelling the synergies expected to arise on acquisition, whilst also getting under the skin of the finances of the target.
Disposal:
I was responsible for working through the data room requirements, following the announcement that the owners had put the division of the business up for sale. This gave me experience of the other side of the transaction, with my role in the disposal being to ensure that we provided all of the financial insight that prospective buyers would want to see and to ensure that our house was in order, ready for sale.
Acquisition:
I worked on the due diligence and acquisition of parts of a business following its administration. My role centred around modelling the benefits of the consolidated business, assessing the financial viability of the deal and helping ensure that the shareholders were getting value for money.
Finance Projects:
Debt Finance:
I've worked with NatWest, Development Bank of Wales, HSBC and other lenders to secure loans from £1m-£15m in order to assist businesses with their growth ambitions.
Budgeting and Re-Forecasting:
I have led multiple budget and forecasting processes, including one for an organisation with multiple business units and more than 150 cost centres. The business didn't have any budgeting software, so I used VBA to automate the process and consolidate the inputs.
Systems Implementation:
I was the Finance lead on implementation of a new ERP system, which involved end-to-end Business Process Mapping (BPM) to ensure that processes were documented and understood before being implemented into a new system. The cutover of data, training and implementation was a success, with zero issues on Day 1 of 'go live'. I have also implemented new Finance systems and upgrades across various organisations.
Tax and Audit:
I have managed multiple year end audits, building relationships with audit and tax teams and ensuring statutory accounts and corporation tax returns were completed, signed and filed on time. I have also completed and filed claims for R&D tax credits, reducing the overall tax burden for businesses.
I have also helped a client with the early-adoption of the 2026 FRS 102 changes (i.e. for the financial year ended 31st December 2025), making them their auditor's first client to implement the changes.
Cashflow and Treasury:
I have assisted multiple organisations with cashflow modelling, allowing better foresight and planning. I have worked with companies to drive down working capital commitments and liaised with suppliers and HMRC on time to pay arrangements where required by distressed organisations. I have also worked within Treasury teams, looking at deposit facilities, in line with the risk appetite of the Board, that provide the best returns. I have experience of working with multiple currencies, using hedges and swaps to manage FX risk.
Capital Appraisal:
I have carried out multiple project appraisals, to help organisations make decisions about how to invest their capital to ensure the best return on investment. Where multiple projects are competing for resources, including cash and human capital, it is vital to present all of the facts, so that businesses can make well-informed decisions.
Commercial Projects:
Lease cost reductions:
Carried out a full inventory review, reducing leasing and stock holding costs by £0.5m per annum.
Cost of Goods Sold Analysis:
Modelled and costed end-to-end cost of goods sold across the business, ensuring that the business understood its cost drivers and could focus on removing non-value-added activity from business processes.
Product Diversification:
Worked as part of a project team in a design and install business, to create an online shop and create new revenue streams. The role required a comprehensive competitor analysis, detailed pricing and margin analysis and an understanding of the market beyond the numbers.
Sales Team Collaboration:
Worked with the sales team to review stock and put a campaign in place to reduce ageing or obsolete stock. The sales team were able to offer special prices to select customers, whilst I ensured that a certain level of profitability was maintained.