Paul Gold
Nedlands,WA
Summary
CFO and Finance Leader with 30+ years of experience in governance, risk management, mergers & acquisitions, and business transformation. Big 4 qualified, with a proven track record in optimizing financial performance, developing robust governance frameworks, and driving business growth across joint ventures, public/private companies, and not-for-profits. Adept at providing strategic leadership, improving operational efficiencies, and managing complex stakeholder relationships in dynamic and high-growth environments.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Finance Business Partner
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
10.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: DPIRD is a government agency supporting Western Australia's primary industries
- Provide finance business partnering for the Incident and Emergency Management (IEM) team
- Lead a small team, set clear objectives, and promote collaboration
- Engage with cross-functional teams including HR, procurement, financial operations, and treasury
- Expanded role scope to include Fisheries & Sustainability and Biosecurity & Emergency Management
- Governance & Oversight: Implemented structured, fortnightly business engagements and weekly finance team reviews to enhance financial transparency
- Operational Support: Assisted with budget development and procurement for critical responses such as the Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) Willagee initiative
- Team Development: Delegated key tasks to foster team empowerment and professional growth
- Increased Finance Presence: Strengthened finance team involvement in operational meetings, improving the team's effectiveness in supporting the business
Finance Consultant
Varde Partners
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Company Overview: Varde Partners is a Singapore-based investment firm focused on portfolio divestments
- Provided strategic advisory support for the divestment of a Mining Services business (SMS), preparing for a trade sale or potential ASX listing
- Developed and implemented governance policies, risk frameworks, and registers
- Liaised with legal counsel, auditors, senior management, and financiers for the sale/listing of SMS
- Navigated complex relationships between Varde and SMS management while maintaining an independent advisory role
- Communication & Reporting: Established a bi-weekly reporting structure, ensuring alignment between Sydney and Singapore teams
- Stakeholder Management: Managed relationships with SMS management and internal stakeholders, maintaining objectivity and professionalism
- Governance & Strategy Leadership: Led governance reviews, assessed listing requirements, and drove the appointment of an external auditor
Chief Financial Officer
Odeum Produce Pty Ltd
01.2023 - 01.2023
- Led financial operations and business turnaround plan in a financially distressed context
- Ultimately ended up assisting formal administration process including the sale of profitable operations and the winding up of the parent entity
- Team Development & Operating Plan: Appointed a new accountant, maintained team cohesion and developed, in conjunction with the owner, a business turnaround plan
- Redefining of Business Processes: working in a period of rapid change, defined and implemented new business processes
Chief Financial Officer
Abyssinian Metals Limited
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led financial operations and M&A activities for a (lithium) mining company
- International Stakeholder Engagement: Led a trip to Ethiopia to meet local finance teams, government representatives, and other stakeholders, providing valuable insights to prioritize and resolve key business challenges
- Team Development & Operational Improvements: Recommended and implemented the appointment of a financial accountant, streamlined payment processes, and addressed statutory reporting obligations
- Business Process & Governance: Defined and implemented business processes, developed a revised corporate structure, and led improvements in project cost control and cash flow monitoring
Interim CFO & Financial Reporting Manager
Duratec Limited
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led financial reporting and systems implementation for a construction services business
- Streamlined financial reporting processes and supported business transformation initiatives
- Developed reporting for post ASX listing
- Developed a corporate risk register and Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
- Company secretarial support
Finance Manager – Cement and Lime Division
Adelaide Brighton Limited
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Worked through the resolution of a complex debtor issue
- Restructured the finance team operations and focus areas to align with business needs
Corporate Governance & Interim CFO
Pit N Portal
01.2017 - 01.2017
- Directed governance and restructuring efforts during a transitional period
Finance Director
Swire Group
01.2014 - 01.2017
- HSE Mining Pty Ltd: Finance Director (2014 – 2017)
- Swire Cold Storage Pty Ltd: Finance Director (2009 – 2014)
Chief Financial Officer
McColl's Transport Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 01.2009
Group Finance Manager
GUD Holdings Limited
01.2005 - 01.2009
Business Manager IT&T
Village Roadshow Limited
01.2003 - 01.2005
Finance Manager
ConAgra Malt
01.1996 - 01.1999
Corporate Accountant
Amcor Limited
01.1994 - 01.1996
Audit Senior
Deloitte
01.1990 - 01.1994
Education
Graduate Diploma - Applied Corporate Governance
Governance Institute of Australia
Company Directors Course - undefined
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Graduate Diploma - Applied Finance and Investment
Securities Institute of Australia
Professional Year - undefined
Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ
Bachelor of Business - Accounting
Swinburne University of Technology
Skills
- Governance & Risk Management including Company Secretarial
- Strategic Leadership & M&A
- Financial Planning & Reporting
- Business Process Optimisation
- Cross-Sector Expertise (Government, Mining, Mining Services, Manufacturing, Logistics, Not For Profit)
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Operational Transformation & System Implementation
- Regulatory Compliance & Internal Controls
Certification
- INSEAD, Advanced Management Program (Fontainebleau, France)
- Scotwork, Negotiation Skills
- Monash IT, Prince2 Foundation Course
- Mentoring, Chartered Accountants & Governance Institute
Affiliations
- Fellow, Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA)
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
- Associate, Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ (CA)
Timeline
Principal Finance Business Partner
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
10.2024 - Current
Finance Consultant
Varde Partners
03.2024 - 09.2024
Chief Financial Officer
Odeum Produce Pty Ltd
01.2023 - 01.2023
Chief Financial Officer
Abyssinian Metals Limited
01.2022 - 01.2023
Interim CFO & Financial Reporting Manager
Duratec Limited
01.2020 - 01.2022
Finance Manager – Cement and Lime Division
Adelaide Brighton Limited
01.2018 - 01.2020
Corporate Governance & Interim CFO
Pit N Portal
01.2017 - 01.2017
Finance Director
Swire Group
01.2014 - 01.2017
Chief Financial Officer
McColl's Transport Pty Ltd
01.2009 - 01.2009
Group Finance Manager
GUD Holdings Limited
01.2005 - 01.2009
Business Manager IT&T
Village Roadshow Limited
01.2003 - 01.2005
Finance Manager
ConAgra Malt
01.1996 - 01.1999
Corporate Accountant
Amcor Limited
01.1994 - 01.1996
Audit Senior
Deloitte
01.1990 - 01.1994
Company Directors Course - undefined
Australian Institute of Company Directors
Graduate Diploma - Applied Finance and Investment
Securities Institute of Australia
Professional Year - undefined
Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ
Bachelor of Business - Accounting
Swinburne University of Technology
Graduate Diploma - Applied Corporate Governance
Governance Institute of Australia
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