Andrew Strachan is a seasoned international finance executive and patient leader with substantial experience in complex ...
Andrew Strachan, Sloan Fellow
[email protected]
(714) 329 7959
http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewstrachan
Summary London Business School Graduate; fluent in French; published in a book on Private Equity by John Wiley & Sons (International Private Equity); recently relocated to the Los Angeles area. Seasoned international finance executive and patient leader with substantial experience in complex changing environments. Hands on entrepreneurial approach nurtured in Venture Capital backed start-up environments with razor focus on adding value. Refined in large listed companies with directive management style, analytic rigour, and concise communication to the highest levels . With creative and lateral business acumen; commercial nous; customer first principles driven passion to accomplish objectives and lead; and with the discretion to mentor, I have been privileged to work with phenomenal people throughout the world and mentor amazing entrepreneurs. With drive and passion for constant improvement and change, I am eager to contribute and bring the best out in others in new challenging environments, partnering to achieve spectacular mutual success.
Experience VP, Managing Director; VERITRUST Ltd. (8/2011-2/2013) London, UK Managing accounts for a Swiss fiduciary company devising optimal holding company structure, models, and managing financial reporting processes and analysis for international operations of UK trading companies. Facilitating placement of Non Executive Directors into small and medium sized companies, evaluating and assisting in revision of business plans for the companies to be Non-Exec ready. Sr. Manager, Strategy project; UK Pharmaceutical Company (8/2010-6/2011) United Kingdom Managed team of quantitative and strategy analysts for a strategy project using complex quantitative and statistical models for the UK companion animals division successfully preparing it for sale at a higher valuation. Sr. Managing Director; Gedeon Engineering (10/2008-3/2010) France Organised strategic market entry for a Spanish solar company in the French market. Established offices in Lyon, structured and implemented a site sourcing methodology, developed the solar farm financial models and successfully sourced multiple investors. Shut down in 2010 following French moratorium on new feed in tariffs. Sr. Finance Manager; Allianz Global Assistance (2000-2008) Managed many activities with increasing leadership responsibility in an Insurance and Services company with over 80 international subsidiaries created in 2000 as the result of a merger. Developed the business plan and models to rationalise legal entities and M&A following a merger resulting in office consolidation and substantial savings country by country. Piloted internal change processes for the new group including consolidation, reporting, FP&A, investment management, cash flow, and KPI’s, leading to 4x growth in 4 years. Piloted and successfully closed the Board driven IT change initiative to replace existing consolidation and reporting software: analyzed business case, developed commercial solution with an RFP, vendor evaluation and negotiation, budget definition, and negotiated board approval. Managed the resulting multi-million € consolidation reporting project and team, delivered on-time within budget reducing the closing cycle by 6 days. Solvency II analysis. Evaluated QIS (Quantitative Impact Studies); analysed and provided recommendations on beta versions of Allianz and Moody’s Ratings Solvency Capital Requirements models; collaborated with actuary in defining VaR (Value at Risk) and solvency ratios for the group. Re-designed and built IFRS chart of accounts for stakeholders’ consolidated reporting requirements (management, divisions, board, parent company, bridge to USGAAP) including KPI’s, commercial activity reporting, EVA reporting, and investments resulting in higher quality concise deliverables. Directed major SOX implementation projects including Section 302 certification of financial results, section 404 assessment of internal controls, and entity level control assessment (ELCA) processes. Managed the monthly, quarterly and annual closings, budget cycles and forecast. Point person for the auditors. Review/Analyse/Comment actual financial performance and variances for Executive Committee.
Sr. Financial Analyst;
Danzas Group (1999-2000) Logistics company purchased by Deutsche Post and now part of DHL. In preparation for sale to DHL substantiating highest valuation, delivered a complex Excel KPI modelling application for the CFO with significant research and modelling requirements on large volumes of data and quick assimilation of the business drivers and selling rationale for this successful board driven initiative.
Sr. Project Manager;
EFG Private Bank (1999-2001) Geneva Newly formed private bank with 10 subsidiaries and no developed financial reporting back office. Managed project team to develop the internal processes and implemented IT reporting processes. Assisted the new department in adopting best practice, reporting discipline and flexibility for change.
Sr. Project Manager;
Alusuisse (2000-2001) Zurich Complex manufacturing group with 3000+ operating entities that had outgrown current systems. Supported the CFO to rationalise and automate the finance IT processes and reduce time lags initiating and implementing change in the finance team using technology as a lever significantly improving quality and speed. Managed multiple external suppliers. Guaranteed the smooth reporting transfer of 3000+ entities following acquisition by Alcan in Montreal.
Sr. Project Manager; Financial Analyst; SAirGroup
(1996-2000) Zurich Massive restructuring of the group from Swissair to SAirGroup required an overhaul of corporate finance processes, systems and personnel to reflect the new organisation. Managed several teams composed of internal and external resources to define and implement new consolidation and reporting applications. Developed internal reporting processes in several GAAP’s including KPI’s and commercial reporting. Managed stakeholder requirements, internal training development and delivery, and organisational adaptation resulting in the successful transition of financial reporting to the new group structure. Expanded responsibilities adding value in affiliates Gate Gourmet, Swissôtel, SAirlines, and SAirTechnics capitalising on the headquarters investment to establish affiliate specific value added projects to track divisional revenue drivers.
Project Manager;
Elma Chips (1996-1997) Sao Paulo FMCG company adapting to the elimination of hyper-inflation accounting in 1996 with no developed budget culture. Worked with a local sales team educating and selling budget applications with marketing and sales support. Through implementation of the budget application at Elma Chips, introduced, a budget culture and assisted in budgeting knowledge transfer to the local finance and sales teams. Other various short term consulting clients: Mobil Canada; Union Carbide; Disney Development Corp.; Placer Dome; Dover Corp.; Freeport MacMoran; AIG; Manulife Toronto; Laurentian Bank; Pfizer; Lindt and Sprungli; Welch Allen; Warner Lambert; Lexmark; Firminich…
Prior Experience Comshare Inc.
July 1995 - June 1996: International Business Development Director, London.
USA, France, UK
Directed product launches to all partners worldwide; identified new partners and participated in key sales opportunities; developed worldwide and local sales strategies, penetrated Swiss and Brazilian markets. 85% travel, Europe and South America. July 1994 - June 1995: Sr. Product Manager, Paris. Guided successful introduction of Comshare’s financial reporting software in the 60+ employee office in France resulting in a new sustainable revenue stream for the office. June 1991 - June 1994: Sr. Sales Consultant, Ann Arbor. Presented extensively throughout the USA giving seminars and participating in key sales opportunities for 17 US sales offices. Member of ‘Commanders Club’, reaching sales objectives each year. Assisted in product development specifications and supervised client development projects: project plans, resource requirements, and budget.
Andrew Strachan
1 714 329 7959
[email protected]
Orion Micro Systems, Inc., CT
USA
February 1989 – June 1991: Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial position in a 5 person VC backed start up software firm with a financial consolidation and reporting software product assisting in most activities including sales, marketing, product development and strategy. Steered the marketing strategy for a successful trade sale and transfer of the company to Comshare, Inc. Assured the successful integration into the acquiring company’s corporate strategy. Interactive Market Systems, New York, NY USA September 1985 – February 1989: Senior Account Executive Successfully managed media and advertising accounts and contract negotiations for a small VC backed entrepreneurial market research SW company; successful trade sale to VNU.
Education Sloan Fellowship MBA in Leadership & Strategy 2007; London Business School Winner Fuld and Co. Strategy Competition. Final research project on LBO of Debenhams, now adopted as a private equity class case study at London Business School, London School of Economics, and Coller Institute of Private Equity. Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration; minor: Economics 1985; State University of New York at Albany Co-founder and President, campus branch of the American Marketing Association Member Deans Advisory Council
UK
USA
Personal Details US and UK national; Fluent in French and English; Professional Organist. 2012 Walpole Innovation in Luxury Business Plan Competition finalist with a 3D metals application in jewellery. Contributing author ‘International Private Equity’ published April 2011 by John Wiley & Sons.
Andrew Strachan
1 714 329 7959
[email protected]
