Stephen Huggett FCA

 

Stephen Huggett - Professional Summary:      Highly accomplished, dynamic FCA with over 20-years professional experience in raising capital, planning and executing acquisition and disposal strategies and advising on financial matters at all levels. Innovative strategic planner, successful decision maker, and creative problem solver in fast paced business environments. Master at spearheading new financial strategies to maximize revenues and secure cash flows in volatile markets. Dedicated manager driven to positively impact the company's bottom line.

 

Stephen Huggett - Professional Experience:  

 HOLBECK SERVICES, Oxford • 2005 to Present
Financial service consulting firm for UK based SME's. Advising companies on all financial matters, and acting as liaison to their boards, auditors, shareholders, banks, leasing companies and venture capitalists. Revised financial functions and business plans, and advised on daily operational activities. Secure auditors, lawyers and appropriate financiers. Current clients and accomplishments include:

Gym (VC backed)
• Created in house accounting and MIS function. Upgraded finance information available to Board and shareholders

Spa Opportunity (VC backed)
• Assessed, revised, and achieved approval for the development of a new spa business.
• Secured £1.05 million in bank and leasing funding.

UK/US Software Company
• Revitalized failing relationships with company bankers increasing their financial commitment.
• Reengineered financial operations including forecasting procedures, staff replacements and software upgrades.Responsible for foreign exchange hedging
• Developed exit strategy including negotiating agreed disposal value.
• Opened the lines of communications to senior management and board members.

Fire and Security Business
• Gained increase in overdraft facility by improving the accounting functions and quality and timeliness of financial information sent to the bank.
• Refined and executed business plan with CEO including hiring a new financial controller, reorganizing internal operations.
• Developed acquisition strategy
Health Care Company (VC Backed)
• Opened new banking relationship, restructured internal financial operations, and established treasuries function.
• Revised and performed daily accounting functions, then hired and trained financial controller to oversee accounting department.

 

The Sanctuary Spa Group Limited, London • 1995 to 2005
Operator of 10 exclusive health spas, in the UK and Middle East, including The Sanctuary in Covent Garden, and licensor of health care retail products to Boots the Chemist.

Finance Director & Company Secretary (VC backed)
• Grew revenues by £7 million (to £10 million), and turned debt into a £1 million cash balance.
• Planned, developed, implemented and executed successful £16 million exit strategy.
• Created data room and led negotiations with purchasers. Resulting in no reduction to the offer price.
• Achieved second round of bank/venture capital financing of £1.6 million to enable business development and transfer of non-sale activities to the executive office.
• Increased the number of daily spa visitors by 22,000 (50% growth) over a 3 year period, by converting existing fitness facilities into additional spa facilities.
• Responsible for opening of 10 spas in the UK and overseas. Development of beauty product business from start up to £25 million turnover in 7 years.
• Created stability and established financial procedures, helping to expand from 1 to 10 sites.
• Transferred booking system from on-site manual system to off-site computerized system, achieving pay back within 7 days.
• Saved site operations by negotiating a 300% rental lease down to 0%.
• Secured cash flow during volatile markets.
• Accomplished annual accounts on-time and in-budget for 10 years, and all monthly management accounts for 120 months.
• Produced gross income in excess of £250,000 by spearheading the disposal of 7 non-performing sites and one management contract.

Managed financial operations including, forecasting, reporting and P&L accountability. Established organisational culture that encouraged employee participation and enhanced performances to maximize revenues. Oversaw all legal documentation and responsible for sole control of company cash flow.. Performed CEO's and Managing Director's functions after their departure from the company including strategic planning and liaising with the Chairman, Board of Directors, financiers and shareholders.

 

ENIGMA DATA SYSTEMS, Haywards Heath • 2000 to 2001(part time)(VC backed)
Software company providing applications to oil companies throughout the United States and United Kingdom with £4 million in turnover.

Finance Director
Controlled daily financial functions and negotiated sales with major customers. Presented financials to venture capitalists and provided innovative business reengineering ideas.

• Saved company from liquidation by reprioritising the CEO's objectives, and shifting focus from being profit driven to cash driven.
• Secured £1 million by convincing venture capitalist to re-invest.

 

 

Stephen Huggett - Education:     
Fellow Institute of Chatered Accountants
Bachelor of Arts in Geography and English

 

 

 

Stephen Huggett - Interests:     Music, Sport, Theatre. Fly fishing

 

 

Market yourself and your business - use LookupPage to guarantee top presence on search engines.

 

LookupPage - Brand Yourself Online