Prof. Maria Cardenal

Help and support to CEOs and Company's Boards. Ensure that finance and tax areas are well managed, there is strong governance and the company business plan and strategy are going in the right direction.Author and speaker on corporate governance. Last project: Interim CFO (Board level) at Eqlipz, support on growth strategy and business’ targets; family office and PE backed; responsible for finance and tax strategy; group dashboard and reporting; acquisitions and divestment strategy and on funds raising.

Deputy Compliance Officer, Finance Global, (Director) partnering with the senior leaders in the Finance team to manage risk identification within Finance strategy and activities, implement mitigating plans and ensure a robust internal control framework and corporate governance. Worked under IFRS and followed Sarbanes-Oxley. Supported SAP implementation. Liaised with the external auditors. Supporting the Finance teams embedding a "values-based" culture and accountability for compliance.

Reporting to the Head of Audit and Compliance, leading the Internal Audit team, responsible for improvement in all aspects of costs, controls and risk, working with the local teams and liaising with Finance Heads and COO for presenting and implementing action plans. Responsible for resources, budget and audit plan. Part of the team responsible for the Herbert Smith and Freehills integration. Other projects: analysis and action plan on the Euro risk and analysis and assessment of the hedging strategy.

Reporting to the VP of Internal Audit and Risk Management, partnering with the business to support the business plan and strategy from a financial, operational and risk management point of view. Collaborated with external auditors and worked under IFRS and UK GAAP. Liaised confidently with senior management to identify, assess and manage risks; developed and implemented action plans to enhance controls and save costs contributing to the company's objectives. Managed and led teams within the business.

Deputised for the Jazztel Finance Director and Adatel CFO. Worked with Directors and the Board on growth strategies and managing profit. Liaised with external auditors. Issued the consolidated annual financial statements under UK GAAP and other statutory reports. Monitored and reported on operational projects and sales opportunities supporting Operations and Sales Directors achieve their targets. Drove the integration with the parent company. Led a team of four Accountants.

Chief Financial Officer-member of the executive team, reporting to the General Manager and Founder. Responsible for finance and tax management. Set up dashboard and reporting process. Led a team of three accountants and HR. Led negotiations with customers and banks. Achievement: Averted a threat of insolvency in few months by strategically leading the finance function to reduce aged debt from 1 year down to 2-3 months, improve billing and collection, and resolve other cash flow and taxes issues.

Promoted to Finance Director; member of the executive team; PE backed. Worked with Directors and the Board on growth strategies and managing profit. Liaised with external auditors. Managed and led a team of four Accountants. Drove reorganisation after company’s acquisition. Managed the expansion plans within Europe and the USA, as per the growth strategy. Conducted due diligence and assessed sanctity of investments. Gained strong exposure to legal company issues and international taxation.

Promoted to senior auditor (just below Manager level). Experience in Telecommunications and Media, Utilities, Manufacturing and Energy sectors primarily. Involved in a variety of assignments audit and non-audit related as senior leader: Initial Public Offering (IPO) for Terra -Movistar internet subsidiary- listed in US and Spain, analytical accounting unbundling project for the main Greek utility company, conducted due diligence and performed quantitative analysis of specific transactions.