My journey into the world of finance didn’t begin with a grand plan or a prestigious internship, but with a simple, almost innocent, fascination. It all started in a 1992 Business Studies class, where I was a 14-year-old boy captivated by the magic of financial statements. My teacher, Mrs. Belson, was explaining ratios, how to calculate them and what they meant, and a switch flipped inside me. This wasn’t just numbers on a page; it was a story, a language that spoke of a company’s health, its potential, and its challenges.

That very evening, I went home and, with a youthful enthusiasm that bordered on recklessness, opened a copy of the Financial Times. I picked ten stocks and sent away for their financial reports, eagerly awaiting a week that felt like an eternity. When the package finally arrived on a Tuesday, I tore it open, my eyes immediately skipping to the Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet. For four hours, I meticulously ran the ratios Mrs. Belson had taught me, documenting my analysis and ultimately deciding on a single stock to buy. The next Saturday, my mum took me to Barclays Bank. With £100 of my own pocket money, I approached a seated advisor and declared, “I want to buy some shares.” The advisor’s laughter when I told her my age -fourteen- was a small dagger to my heart. “You are too young,” she said, “you must be at least 18.” But my early dreams were not so easily crushed. She soon returned with a solution: I could buy the shares if someone over 18 co-signed. My mum’s “yes” to my plea was more than just a signature; it was the endorsement of a passion that would define my career.

My academic journey continued at university where I took some accounting modules and learnt about T-accounts and double-entry bookkeeping, but I’ll admit, the former never truly clicked for me. I managed to get by, achieving grades averaging over 70%, but it was more a testament to my determination than a deep understanding of the method. After graduating, I landed a high-profile role at a major American bank, auditing the NAV reports of one of the world’s biggest pension companies. It was a prestigious position, a job many would envy. Yet, I found it too easy, too predictable. I craved the challenge, the unpredictability, and the rapid pace of smaller businesses. The “hustle and bustle” of London’s SME scene beckoned, and I answered the call in 2001.

From that moment on, I haven’t looked back. I immersed myself in the world of small to medium-sized enterprises, learning and growing by instinct and necessity. It was here, in the trenches of SME finance, that I truly mastered double-entry bookkeeping, teaching myself without the need for T-accounts. My passion for understanding the financial pulse of a business deepened as I worked with founders and entrepreneurs, helping them navigate growth, manage cash flow, and make strategic decisions.

My career trajectory took a pivotal turn in 2016 when I discovered the concept of a Fractional CFO. This was the perfect synthesis of my skills and my passion. I could bring the high-level financial expertise of a large corporate finance director to multiple small businesses, without the overhead of a full-time employee. It was about being a strategic partner, a trusted advisor who could help them scale, secure funding, and avoid pitfalls. For me, it wasn’t just a job; it was about empowering the very heart of the economy.

I’ve now amassed over 25 years of work experience, and my journey is a testament to the power of continuous improvement. The desire that began in that 1992 classroom with Mrs. Belson, the desire to truly understand the numbers and what they mean for a business, has never left me. I have spent my career “not minding my own business,” but rather, immersing myself in the business of others, helping them to grow and succeed.

Today, as a Fractional CFO, I am available to help UK and international SMEs navigate their own financial journeys. Whether you need help with financial strategy, fundraising, or just a clearer picture of your business’s health, I bring a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for your success. My love affair with accounting, which began with a bold, 14-year-old’s investment, has led me to a role where I can truly make a difference, one SME at a time.

Contact me today to start a conversation about your requirements!