Les Thomas joined IAC to investigate a significant and unexpected loss within a subsidiary of Bespak Europe Ltd where I acted as Interim Finance Director. He was asked to identify the root causes of the financial loss and to provide a detailed review of the underlying business, together with options for turning the operation around within a short period of time.
Les quickly provided detailed, logical and very understandable analyses and presentations on his findings. He delved deep into the financial systems and found data that had been missed or misinterpreted by previous incumbents. Within a few weeks of joining the business, Les turned these findings into a financial forecast with a series of specific corrective action projects that were aimed at alerting and involving all functions across the business to the need for change.Les demonstrated a strong drive and enthusiasm to achieve the task he had been set, He was absolutely open and honest with key stakeholders and he was not afraid to say what he saw. Indeed, he was prepared to robustly challenge them as and when required. In short, he did what an interim should do namely, hit the ground running, applied his clearly very wide experience to the situation and he created an action plan that was demanding and achievable but which was a real stretch from the position in which the business found itself.
I would not hesitate to utilise Les Thomas as a senior Finance Interim in the future. Should you wish to discuss this reference please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jeremy Fletcher Interim CFO, Bespak Europe
