Meet - Finance Transformation UK!

Finance Transformation UK is a new Consultancy dedicated to helping Finance Leaders transform their Finance function. Our aim is to open your eyes to the art of the possible and then deliver it for you! In this article Founder Michael Ryan describes the unique approach it brings to the Market.

With 25 years’ experience transforming Finance functions across multiple Sectors as a Consultant and as a Finance Leader, Michael Ryan is uniquely placed to advise Finance Leaders on how to transform their Finance function to deliver real Value to the Business so that it leads by example in terms of operational effectiveness and takes its rightful place at the forefront of all Business decisions.

Finance Transformation UK takes a unique approach to Consulting which is Holistic, Value Driven, Partner Enabled and underpinned by Finance operational experience. FT UK leaves no stone unturned in looking across an Organisation in order to inform how best to structure Finance to support it. We believe any Finance function which is designed independently of a holistic view of the entire Business Operating Model is flawed from the start.

We focus on Value and we have a unique 'Value Chamber' approach to defining it, finding it and delivering it! Delivery is enabled by our extensive 'Partner Bench' from where we call upon effective technological and organisational Solutions which deliver Value in terms of how Finance is structured, managed, staffed and operated.

All of this is underpinned and grounded in direct Finance operational leadership experience, in creating and managing Finance teams. We know all about the challenges of Period End, diverse and unhelpful system landscapes and we understand why you always feel you need a spreadsheet! That's because we are Finance people with extensive Finance Team Management experience and we are here to help our fellow Finance people!

Even though we are Finance, we appreciate the value a good E.R.P can bring and we operate on the basis of Experience, Relationships and Partners!

Michael Ryan believes greatly in the power of relationships forged through Experience and is very lucky to have a vast network of Partners and Subject Matter Experts spanning the whole of the CFO Agenda! This is thanks to 25 years working with great people across as many as 30 Finance Transformation programmes.

To harness these Relationships and bring a new and innovative offering to the Finance Transformation marketplace Michael Ryan joined forces with Mark Saywell a Technology specialist, to launch Finance Transformation UK! As Partners they have complimentary skills - Mark does the Technology and Michael does the Organisational change. 

At Finance Transformation UK we focus on 5 Core Services which include: 

1.         Business Case

?2.         Target Operating Model (TOM),

3.         Implementation,

4.         Interim Leadership

5.         Assurance.

We believe the Business Case for any Transformation or proposed change within Finance must be approached in a thorough manner regardless of size of Business or staffing level within Finance. Our approach is described in detail in our Spring eMagazine, however, its worth noting here that it focusses primary attention on the Current Operating Model and defining the Exam Question. We don't let Clients slide into a project without everyone being crystal clear on the 'why!'

Target Operating Model (TOM) design is an area of vast experience for Finance Transformation UK and we have restructured Finance into several Models ranging from consolidated Head Office, to Captive Shared Services Centre or Outsourced Provider. We don't prejudge the outcome, we don't let Clients get target fixated on a particular Model either, we run through all the options and test the Business Case against these scenarios.

The key strength of Finance Transformation UK here is our Experience, we know what its like to manage all the various Finance teams that will be redesigned and this is invaluable in knowing the challenges and pitfalls of implementation. Our Experience brings reality to TOM design!

Between Mark Saywell and Michael Ryan they have 45 years Operational & Consulting experience, have been involved in more than 30 Finance Transformation programmes and are well versed in turning a TOM into reality. They can either lead that change directly for you or support your Leadership team, whichever you prefer.

Finally, our 5th Core Service is Assurance, whereby we provide you with a 2nd opinion on your existing Finance function, Finance Transformation Business Case or ongoing programme.

In addition to the 5 Core Services we aim to bring our Clients Solutions to any challenge they could face in the Finance Transformation arena and our Partner and SME network are critical components of that.

Our Partners provide Solutions that encompass Site Selection, Finance Automation, ERP Strategy, Recruitment, Data Analytics, AI Machine Learning, Networking, Culture and Personal Development. This is supported by award winning SME’s in the core Finance processes of Order to Cash, Purchase to Pay and Record to Report such as Martin Kirby.

Our holistic approach views the Business as a dynamic entity and our analysis extends beyond the Finance function. We identify risks and opportunities anywhere that can enhance the Case for Change in creating a Value driven Finance function.

We provide and look for Value everywhere - here is a sample of where our Partner Bench can bring Value to your Finance function:

Lumilinks delivers Business driving Management Insight in a matter of weeks. They are our AI Partner who focus on delivering Revenue driving Value to the Business. They gather open market and internal data, which they enrich to provide the level of Management Insight that drives real Business growth. Finance may be traditionally back office, but we bring a front office mindset! 

Westgate Moore Associates Help Clients to fund their Business Case by performing a payment recovery audit during the Business case. A Business considering Finance Transformation often has a disparate ERP landscape and this is fertile ground, for Westgate Moore, to recover funding to cover the cost of Business Case development. 

CultureBlox will engage with your Leadership Team and the wider organisation to focus on your Culture and Values. How effectively they are communicated, understood and lived. CultureBlox can then help you to develop Finance Transformation specific Behaviours that brings your Culture to life for the Transformation journey and the eventual steady state as well as provide measurement of your Culture at individual, team and organisational levels.

Working together CultureBlox & Nurxure provide regular assessments of Finance functions from a Culture, Technology and Process effectiveness perspective. This assurance work is similar to an audit or health check and can be conducted at periodic intervals.

Kanbina drive Finance automation and create Finance processes that are efficient, agile and compliant. Kanbina delivers Value in savings across Finance transactional processes by leveraging the incredible power of AI Machine Learning. This compliments our Partner – Lumilinks which then produces critical management information and insight at Board level.

Finally, and most importantly we place a great emphasis on people, their development and critically their mental health. Art of Brilliance has a deep well of resources and experienced Tutors, led by Nigel Percy, who are well placed to monitor and improve the wellbeing of your team.

When you choose Finance Transformation UK you get Finance people delivering for you. We know your challenges and we want to help you transform them!

Transformation doesn't always require Technology just Experience, Relationships & Partners!

Finance Transformation UK Please check out our Website and get in touch today and we will do our utmost to help you!