About David
I am a dynamic and experienced entrepreneurial consultant ready to take on project-based and interim leadership roles within the fintech/tech sectors. I thrive in dynamic environments and transitional periods, where my strategic thinking, change management skills, and commitment to delivering results are able to drive immediate, impactful change.
With a proven ability to rapidly assess complex business landscapes, develop and execute strategic plans, and engage with stakeholders at all levels, I am a catalyst for positive change and growth regardless of a project's complexity or challenges.
Over the last 25+ yrs I've worked within both fast-growth, complex B2B/B2C businesses as well as start-ups in the UK, EU and North America, raising multiple funding rounds with an exit. I'm committed to driving success and efficiency, with a dynamic, yet structured hands-on approach to business improvement (including for VC/PE portfolio businesses).
Key achievements include:
- Launched and scaled 4 x successful start-ups in the UK, expanding internationally with local presence in Germany and the USA.
- Obtained an FCA full EMI license, successfully launching a new cross-border money transfer platform within 4 months, implementing GTM plans across multiple markets.
- Negotiated commercial relationships/terms for the whole E2E payment process with multiple banks and NBFIs/MTOs/acquirers (incl. safeguarding, multi-currency, FX, IBANs/sub-accounts, AML/ID verification)
- Created an innovative/disruptive concept social impact fintech around accessible digital banking for vulnerable people, achieving £100K grant funding from Innovate UK.
- Developed the GTM strategy/plan for a $100M US-based IoT operator to launch into key EU markets.
- Developed an ecommerce/digital channel strategy that acquired 100K+ customers across 150 countries.
- Established strategic partnerships with many blue-chip enterprises incl. Visa Int'l, Vodafone, O2 Telefonica.
English
Native or bilingual
Can work on-site
London (up to 50km)
Willing to travel
Experience
- GMT ConsultingFounderCONSULTING AND AUDITSSeptember 2011 - Today (14 years and 9 months)York, United KingdomGMT provides management consulting, interim, non-executive director and business advisory services across multiple tech sectors. Projects include:- Created an innovative/disruptive concept social impact fintech around accessible digital banking for vulnerable people, achieving £100K grant funding from Innovate UK.- Business plan/budget/pitchdeck for innovative IP solar energy / climate change start-up- strategic planning / initial implementation for a Fintech mobile payments platform- M2M / IoT go-to-market strategy/planning- set up / launch of an international data roaming MVNO- competitive market analysis to identify potential M&A opportunities
- BankAbilityChief Executive Officer & FounderBANKING AND INSURANCEJanuary 2020 - Today (6 years and 5 months)London, United KingdomBankAbility is building the world's most accessible and inclusive open banking technology to help society's most vulnerable people to manage their day to day finances. It's goal is maximum social impact through positive inclusive disruption!!
- TalkRemitChief Executive OfficerBANKING AND INSURANCEJune 2018 - November 2019 (1 year and 5 months)London, UKTalkRemit is a trusted FCA EMI regulated cross-border money transfer service, providing a secure and low-cost global remittance solution for people living and working abroad who need to send money to family and friends in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Combining fast and flexible payout options and a free instant chat service, TalkRemit was conceived to make sending money back home as convenient and hassle-free as possible.The company provides diaspora communities in Europe & Scandinavia with money remittance, e-wallet and banking services. Having led the final stage of the FCA application, I then developed the strategic GTM and financial business plans.Key achievements include:- Obtained safeguarding bank facilities with one of the UK’s 5 clearing banks.- Negotiated commercial terms/integrated with multiple banks, FX partners and aggregators.- Completed the pilot service soft-launch within 14 weeks of being granted the FCA EMI license- Liaised with specialist consultants re options for EU EMI license for post-Brexit passporting.- Identified multiple HMRC tax refund opportunities resulting in tax credit of c.£0.25M
Recommendations
Education
- Economics (not completed)Sheffield UniversityI completed 6/10 modules but decided to pursue my career dreams.
Skill set (54)
B2C/B2B/B2B2C
Mobile/Web Apps
Growth Strategy
Digital Transformation
Portfolio Strategy
Social media
Business Unit Strategy
Business development
Benchmarking and Competitive Analysis
Banking and Financial Services
Finance sector
Fintech
Leadership Development
Strategic planning
Stakeholder Management
Fundraising
Financial Acumen
Investor documents
Company Culture Management
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Project Management (PMO)
Digital Marketing
Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy
Corporate Strategy
Business Plan Development
Market-Entry Strategy
Change and Transformation Management
Digital Business Models
Digital and IT Services
Investor documents
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Project Management
Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy
Corporate strategy
Business Plan Development
Market-Entry Strategy
Profit & Loss Management
IoT (Internet of Things)
ICO
Business plan
CEO
Budget
Partnerships
FCA license
CEO
Compliance
Negotiation
Cross-border remittances
P&L
Profit & Loss
Marketing
Managing Director
International
Operations
Categories
- General Management Executive
- Finance Executive