Malcolm's example projects and experiences

Controls and Governance

Led a six month “Sox Lite” programme supported by a Big 4 co-source to clarify and improve the Governance and control structures in a leading UK foodservice provider including creation of detailed Financial processes, key control testing programme by management and Finance manual as partial preparation for eventual sale/exit by the PE investors.

At the request of the Chairman/CEO – also lead the inhouse “Governance Initiative” to identify key company processes and encourage better local ownership.

Created and developed risk management frameworks in several organisations providing Executive/Board views linked to strategic objectives, supporting processes and procedures, reporting, mitigation assessments, regular reviews and linkage to internal audit plans. (Pure DC, Element, Virgin Atlantic, The Brakes Group).
Companywide Risk Mapping introduction to a Risk Committee that had previously only seen risk through a fraud and country/credit risk lens. (Visa Europe). Led the senior finance team through its first risk assessments (J Sainsbury’s)
Simplified the risk assessment process and methods of communication for a charity in the banking sector. Established risk appetite with the trustees. (Bank Workers Charity)

Created a led a data analytics-based approach for a new “technology led - technology enabled” internal audit function, applying data led techniques and visualisation in several areas. Including analysis of procurement card activity across six programmes over 24 months of data, reviews using data analytics and visualisation in Business Continuity, Contract Management, Modern Slavery and Expense Management. (Element Materials Technology).

Created and developed internal audit and risk functions in a mix of commercial environments including:
- Start up (leading payments organisation, Mails and postal services, Cinema entertainment, Testing and Certification, Data Centre construction, retail),
- Performance turnaround (Food Service, Airline and holidays)
- Ongoing development (Foodservice)

Established Project and Programme Assurance capabilities (Payments, Food Service, Mails, Airlines).

Created and led Group Policy Frameworks to strengthen governance, improve policy direction as part of overall control frameworks. (Element Materials Technology, Pure Data Centres, The Brakes Group). Lead development and publication of Finance Policy Manuals (Vue International, The Brakes Group).

Co-lead a nine-month project at a top international payments organisation to document its key processes, establish key controls and departmental ownership and train department staff across the organisation ready for process improvement work to follow. (Visa Europe)

Lead and participated from an audit and control standpoint in ERP/Finance Systems implementations and post implementations. Examples include - separation of an SAP system from parent organisation, (The Post Office), steering group member for Microsoft Dynamics 365 pilot (Element Materials Technology), Oracle Fusion ERP/EAM implementation over a very tight six-month timeline (Pure Data Centres Ltd). Review into the control failings of a major ERP implementation failure. (The Brakes Group). Sponsor of Agresso implementation in UK and Poland (Vue International)

Developed a revised year end report and approach for the Chief Internal Auditor or a large retailer to help explain the control environment after a difficult year in which the company had experienced irregularities and reporting errors.

GDPR preparation project for a niche recruitment consultancy ahead of the May 2018 implementation of new Data Privacy legislation. Identified risks and areas for policy and process, developed and delivered training, reviewed mapping and areas of data sensitivity.

Professional conduct investigation. Investigated allegations of misconduct raised by an individual as to their ways of working in their duties as a professional auditor and reported conclusions to the professional body.

Short project to oversee the stock counting and management methods at a bakery specialist. Report led to introduction by myself to a specialist Supply Chain and Warehousing expert to help address underlying issues.