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John Lee, Finance Expert in Cascais, Portugal
John Lee

Finance Expert in Cascais, Portugal

Member since August 1, 2018
John is a highly commercial, entrepreneurial, culturally intelligent leader who speaks six languages. His proudest achievement was founding his own travel technology startup, CultureMee, which won global awards in business and leisure travel. He is also proud to have led a Europe-wide, cross-functional supply chain project, which drove a €40 million reduction in working capital in CRH Plc, one of the largest construction companies in the world.
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Career Highlights

Education

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Expertise

Employment

  • Co-founder

    2021 - PRESENT
    The Work From Anywhere Team
    • Attracted visitors from over 150+ different countries to visit our global tax marketplace targeting companies looking to enable work from anywhere as a core employee benefit in a few months after the launch.
    • Built a brand from scratch, which is now recognized globally in the remote workspace and has already been featured by global publications such as The Economist with the article "Why Europe is a great place for digital nomads."
    • Acted as a product owner for the tech stack, including identifying core tech architecture, APIs and identifying the right development partners.
    • Helped generate sales and achieve product-market fit. Actively engaged in leading VC investors for the next investment round.
    • Developed our custom algorithm to help people assess their tax residency risks for work from anywhere.
    Focus areas: Taxation, Remote Work, Leadership, Product Owner, Market Research & Analysis, Marketing, SEO Marketing, Branding, User Testing, User Experience (UX), B2B Partnerships, Sales Growth, Sales Funnel, Marketplaces, Forecasting, Pitch Decks, Fundraising, Early-stage Venture Capital, International Taxation, Internationalization

  • Business and Finance Strategy Consultant

    2020 - 2022
    Toptal Clients
    • Worked with 20+ different clients in various projects from business consulting to financial advisory and executive coaching across 10+ countries.
    • Involved in a wide range of industries such as food and beverage, healthcare, technology, fintech, and crypto.
    • Transformed the finance department of a high-growth meal-kit business in Dubai from a backward-looking, transactional focus to one which was forward-looking, commercial, relationship-orientated with a much broader cross-functional focus.
    Focus areas: Business Strategy, Finance Strategy, SaaS, Business Technology, Fintech, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Competitive Intelligence, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Procurement, Crypto, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Process Flows, Mentorship & Coaching, Executive Coaching, Algorithms, Sales Growth, Sales Funnel, Sales Strategy, IT Projects, Project Delivery

  • Chief Operating Officer

    2016 - 2021
    CultureMee
    • Created an award-winning technology platform that was one of the only travel startups to have won global awards in leisure and business travel.
    • Built fully integrated financial and company valuation models for internal projections and external fundraising efforts, including a three-statement operating model.
    • Actively built and executed own B2B sales funnel with large global corporates in Europe, the US, and South America.
    • Managed all aspects of finance, tax, and legal from the day-to-day operations to the more strategic investor presentation decks.
    • Successfully negotiated three global partnerships in Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK.
    • Developed own proprietary organizational culture model to visualize and communicate the company culture, which was then used to hire and successfully onboard new employees.
    • Advised a number of global startups in the travel industry on their fundraising strategies.
    Focus areas: Cash Flow Management, Team Leadership, Operations, Business Planning, Project Management, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Supply Chain Optimization, Three-statement Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Cost Cutting, Sales Operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), App Design, UX Design, User Experience (UX), Entrepreneurship, Market Research, Financial Management, Revenue & Expense Projections, Fundraising Consultant, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Virtual CFO, Business Consulting, Startup Funding, Early-stage Startups, Startup Growth Strategy Development, Startup Accelerators, Startups, Cross-border Projects, Cross-cultural Communication, Cross-cultural Management, Cross-functional, Hiring Process Development, Culture Development, Public Speaking, International Commerce, Internationalization, Growth Strategy, Growth Marketing, Growth Hacking, B2B Partnerships, Due Diligence, Legal, Taxation, Sales Pipelines, B2B Sales Pipeline, Sales & Marketing, Global Operations, Cash Flow Forecasting, Technology, Growth Capital Raising, Investor Presentations, Management Consulting, Business Strategy, Market Research Analyst, Market Sizing, SaaS, Market Segmentation, Interim CFO, Venture Capital, Capital Raising

  • Group Controller

    2014 - 2016
    CRH Europe Distribution
    • Served as the direct reporting line to €4.0 billion division CEO, playing key interface between business units and PLC. This division operated across six countries servicing wholesale B2B and retail B2C markets.
    • Presented monthly results and key performance drivers to the divisional executive board, including M&A pipeline and post-acquisition M&A review.
    • Handled all investor relations matters for the division including proactively anticipating investor needs and actively shaping external messaging for the division.
    • Led a cross-functional project in the general merchants' business in Switzerland to implement a best practice branch operations framework including best-in-class branch dashboards for branch managers and the retraining of 400+ employees.
    • Assisted the DIY business with the preparation of a six-month rigorous strategic review including detailed performance initiatives to help drive a return to peak performance.
    • Co-led a divisional KPI project for operating companies from development to implementation stages.
    • Co-led a project to implement quarterly branch reporting KPIs across a network of 700+ branches.
    • Served in a business challenger role for the development of strategic roadmaps to peak performance.
    • Implemented process improvements to professionalize capital expenditure, idle assets, and forecasting processes.
    • Represented the financial voice of the division in review meetings with the PLC group finance team.
    • Actively reviewed valuation models for large-scale acquisitions and divestments.
    Focus areas: Risk Models, Cash Flow Management, Team Leadership, Operations, Business Planning, Logistics, Project Management, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Distribution, Supply Chain Optimization, Three-statement Modeling, Control & Cost Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Cost Cutting, Sales Operations, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), M&A Modeling, Macroeconomic Forecasting, Large-scale Turnaround & Transformation, Post-merger Integration, Market Research, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation, Cross-border M&A, Financial Modeling, Virtual CFO, Business Consulting, Cash Flow Consultant, Financial Forecasting, Board Reporting, Board Presentations, Board of Directors, Board Decks, Portfolio Optimization, Porftfolio Strategy, Internal Control Evaluation, Restructuring, Cost Control, Controlling, Corporate Controller, Controllership, Controller, Financial Asset Impairment Models, Cross-border Projects, Divestitures, Transformational Leadership, Leadership Development, Leadership, Change Management, Trend Forecasting, Sales Forecast Management, CFO, Capital Budgeting, Budgeting, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Macro Driver Analysis, Macroeconomics, Market Research & Analysis, FX Risk Analysis, Forex, Cross-cultural Communication, Cross-cultural Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Cross-functional, Financial Consolidation, IFRS Consolidation, IFRS Financial Reporting, Internal Control, CAPEX, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Asset Management, Project Tracking, Project Delivery, Project Planning, Projects, International Finance, Internationalization, Institutional Investors, Investor Presentations, Investor Reporting, Investor Relations, Retail & Wholesale, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Key Performance Metrics, Performance Improvement, Performance Management, Performance Analysis, Operational Finance, Business Strategy, Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, M&A Pipeline Management, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Forecasting, Forecasting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Management Consulting, Market Research Analyst, Market Sizing, Market Segmentation, Interim CFO, Deal Structuring

  • Country Group Controller

    2013 - 2014
    CRH Europe Products & Distribution
    • Supported €2.0 billion division CEO and various country CEOs in a matrix organization. I was responsible for a division cluster of three platforms in three countries with a manufacturing footprint focused on concrete and clay assets with sales of over €0.8 billion.
    • Led a Europe-wide cross-functional working capital project which led to a €40+ million reduction in working capital across the division. This included making the case for change, creating urgency, creating practical self-assessment tools, encouraging competition, and focusing on poor performers.
    • Led a post-acquisition M&A review which resulted in a €0.4 billion impairment for the division (Europe products).
    • Actively reviewed valuation models and helped with post-acquisition integration for a mid size manufacturing acquisition in Belgium.
    • Worked with Benelux CEO and McKinsey as part of a strategic review within a wider divisional portfolio review.
    • Represented the financial voice of the division in review meetings with the divisional CEO.
    • Assisted operating company and country management with major capital expenditure and restructuring proposals with cross-functional input from plant managers, sales directors, and operating company CEOs.
    • Provided hands-on support of company finance directors/controllers (e.g., helping with root cause analysis or coaching around the numbers).
    Focus areas: Cash Flow Management, Team Leadership, Operations, Business Planning, Logistics, Project Management, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Distribution, Supply Chain Optimization, Three-statement Modeling, Control & Cost Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Cost Cutting, Sales Operations, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), M&A Modeling, Macroeconomic Forecasting, Large-scale Turnaround & Transformation, Post-merger Integration, Market Research, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation, Cross-border M&A, Financial Modeling, Business Consulting, Cash Flow Consultant, Financial Forecasting, Executive Presentations, Board Reporting, Board Presentations, Board of Directors, Board Decks, Culture Development, Scenarios, Investment Return Scenario Analysis, Scenario Analysis, Corporate Controller, Financial Controlling, Controlling, Controllership, Controller, Cost Control, Fixed Costs, Cross-cultural Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Transformational Leadership, Leadership Development, Leadership, Change Management, Divestitures, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Rolling Forecasts, Forecasting, Sales Forecast Management, Trend Forecasting, Market Research & Analysis, Annual Budgets, Budget Modeling, Budget Management, Budgeting, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Consolidated Reporting, IFRS Consolidation, IFRS Financial Reporting, Independent Business Reviews, Analytical Review, Operations Reviews, Mentorship & Coaching, Executive Coaching, Project Lifecycle, Project Planning, Project Delivery, Project Tracking, Projects, Finance Strategy, Talent Strategy, Company Strategy, Sales Strategy, Strategy Planning, Strategy, Financial Asset Impairment Models, CAPEX, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Inventory Management, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Projected Cash Flow, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Cash Flow Modeling, Working Capital Management, Institutional Investors, Investor Presentations, Investor Relations, Investor Reporting, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Monthly Close Process, Accounting, Close Procedures, Quarterly, Turnaround Management, Plant Accounting, Restructuring, Portfolio Optimization, Portfolio Analysis, Management Consulting, Business Strategy, Market Research Analyst, Market Sizing, Market Segmentation, Interim CFO, Deal Structuring

  • Product Group Controller

    2012 - 2013
    CRH Europe Products & Distribution
    • Supported a €2.0 billion divisional CEO of three concrete platforms (landscaping, civil, and structural) with a manufacturing platform of €1+ billion in sales operating across 11 countries.
    • Represented the financial voice of the division in review meetings with the divisional CEO.
    • Part of the change management team for 2012 finance reorganization which resulted in the removal of a finance layer in the division and significant changes to the role of finance in Europe.
    • Supported the divisional CFO with monthly results review, investor briefing notes, presentations, and memos to the group CEO as well as the rollout of division-wide cost savings initiatives.
    • Developed and implemented financial models to bring the best in group forecasting to the division.
    Focus areas: Cash Flow Management, Operations, Business Planning, Logistics, Project Management, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Distribution, Supply Chain Optimization, Three-statement Modeling, Control & Cost Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Cost Cutting, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), M&A Modeling, Macroeconomic Forecasting, Large-scale Turnaround & Transformation, Post-merger Integration, Market Research, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation, Financial Modeling, Cash Flow Consultant, Financial Forecasting, Market Commentary, Board Presentations, Board of Directors, Controllership, Controlling, Internal Control, Cost Control, Corporate Controller, Controller, Financial Controlling, Financial Asset Impairment Models, Fixed Costs, Transformational Leadership, Change Management, Divestitures, Sales Forecast Management, Trend Forecasting, Forecasting, Investor Relations, Market Research & Analysis, Performance Improvement, Performance Management, Portfolio Analytics, Portfolio Management, Budget Management, Annual Budgets, Budgeting, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, CAPEX, Restructuring, Corporate Restructuring, Cost Reduction & Optimization, IFRS Consolidation, IFRS Financial Reporting, Market Sizing, Market Segmentation, Deal Structuring

  • Product Group Financial Controller

    2011 - 2012
    CRH Europe Concrete
    • Supported the €1.2 billion product group CFO which consisted of three concrete platforms operating across 12 countries in Europe.
    • Performed monthly reviews of financials including the preparation of product group management commentary.
    • Identified measures to turn around under-performers.
    • Assisted companies through group reporting chart of accounts conversion.
    • Led strategic risk/opportunity workshops with senior management in different countries.
    Focus areas: Risk Models, Cash Flow Management, Operations, Business Planning, Logistics, Project Management, Control & Cost Analysis, Cost Cutting, Large-scale Turnaround & Transformation, Financial Management, Revenue & Expense Projections, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Risk Assessment, Risk, Company Strategy, Cross-cultural Management, Cross-cultural Communication, P&L Forecasting, Forecasting, Financial Reporting, External Financial Reporting, Financial Closing, Analytical Review, Capital Budgeting, Budgeting, CAPEX Budgeting & Inventory Management, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Chart of Accounts, Financial Consolidation, IFRS Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, IFRS Financial Reporting, Market Sizing, Market Segmentation

  • CRH Internal Audit

    2009 - 2011
    CRH Internal Audit
    • Presented update meetings and report findings to management in French, English, and German.
    • Conducted a number of operational audits noting operational best practices that I actively made use of later in my career.
    • Conducted financial audits of operations across Europe.
    • Assisted the group head of internal audits with group risk modeling and reporting.
    • Conducted other audit types, e.g., IT audits, UK bribery act audits, etc.
    Focus areas: Risk Models, Operations, Logistics, Project Management, Cross-border M&A, Financial Modeling, Plant Accounting, Project Controls, Internal Control Evaluation, Internal Control, Cross-cultural Communication, Cross-cultural Management, Group Reporting IFRS, IFRS Adjustments, IFRS Consolidation, IFRS Financial Reporting, Operational Risk Management, Operational Audits, Operational Control, Operational Risk, Control Audits, IT Audits, Audits, Corporate Governance, Risk Reporting, Risk Assessment, Risk, Internal Audit Function, Internal Audits

  • Senior Auditor

    2006 - 2009
    Deloitte & Touche
    • Collaborated with the corporate restructuring team for one of Ireland’s largest receiverships (Newcourt, PLC).
    • Served key audit clients including CRH, Toyota Ireland, and Dunnes Stores.
    • Prepared external financial statements.
    • Undertook numerous external audits of financial statements from different companies.
    • Managed a number of small teams during this time.
    Focus areas: Risk Models, Team Leadership, Financial Modeling, Big 4 Accounting, Financial Consolidation, IFRS Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, UK GAAP, IFRS Financial Reporting, Divestitures, Independent Business Reviews, Analytical Review, Financial Statements, Financial Records, Financial Systems, Financial Closing, Financials, Financial Model Auditing, Audits

Other Experience

Education

  • Diploma in Artificial Intelligence
    2017 - 2017
    Growth Tribe Academy - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Diploma in IFRS (Distinction) in Accounting
    2010 - 2010
    Chartered Accountants Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
  • Chartered Accountancy in Accounting
    2007 - 2008
    Chartered Accountants Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
  • Master's Degree in Accountancy
    2005 - 2006
    Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business - Dublin, Ireland
  • Commerce International with German (Distinction) in International Business
    2001 - 2005
    University College Dublin - Dublin, Ireland

Certifications

  • Chartered Accountant
    SEPTEMBER 2008 - PRESENT
    Chartered Accountants Ireland
  • Scholarship to Masters Program
    SEPTEMBER 2005 - PRESENT
    Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business
  • Scholarship to Degree Program
    SEPTEMBER 2001 - PRESENT
    University College Dublin

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