Randall Lucas

Company Overview: Bostik Australia Pty Ltd, a part of the Arkema Group (listed on Euronext Paris: AKE.PA), is a leading company with a turnover of €9.5 billion (AUD $15.9 billion). Operating across 55 countries with a workforce of 21,100 employees, Bostik focuses on three key business segments: Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Coating Solutions.

Key deliverables

• Prepared consolidated financial statements for APAC business unit

• Led the annual audit for consolidated APAC group with turnover of $250m

• 2IC to local Finance Director, leading and mentoring a team of four to drive financial operations, reporting, and strategic decision-making.

• Managed local and international tax compliance and accounting functions, ensuring regulatory adherence and accurate financial reporting.

Company Overview: Service Stream is an ASX 300-listed company with a turnover of $2.4 billion, providing integrated asset lifecycle services across Australia. The company specialises in utilities, telecommunications, and transport sectors.

Key deliverables

• Assisting with integration of multiple payroll systems and EBA interpretation post LendLease Services Pty Ltd. acquisition.

• Performed compliance assessments within financial and operational frameworks, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal controls.

• Assisted in optimising reporting processes, improving efficiency and accuracy in financial analysis and decision-making

• Assisted senior management in compliance audits and regulatory submissions, ensuring accuracy and adherence to financial regulations.

Company Overview: Halo Food Co is an ASX-listed food manufacturer with a turnover of $120 million, specialising in the production and export of dairy, health, and wellness nutritional products. The company focuses on powdered products and ready-to-drink protein drinks. Halo Food Co operates five subsidiaries, owns six manufacturing sites, and employs over 120 staff.

Key deliverables

• Managed and reconciled Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss, and Cash Flow Statements on a monthly basis, delivering detailed financial insights and reports to the Group CFO, and senior management to support strategic decision-making.

• Acted as a strategic business partner, collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide critical financial insights and data-driven recommendations, enhancing business performance and supporting informed decision-making.

• Designed and delivered detailed financial models and analyses for senior leadership, supporting budget planning, profitability assessments, and forecasting efforts aligned with strategic objectives.

• Mentored and coached team members to develop future finance leaders, enhancing team capabilities and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Conducted detailed job costing and margin analysis across various business channels, identifying opportunities to optimise turnover, profitability, and margin retention.

• Led the successful implementation of the SAP Business One ERP system, optimising support for manufacturing operations and enhancing commercial decision-making

• Led the annual audit process, collaborating closely with external auditors to ensure a seamless audit and successfully secure a clean audit report.

Company Overview: Emerald Foods Group is an international premium ice cream company established in 1985, owning several proprietary brands. With a turnover of $65 million, the company operates domestically in New Zealand and internationally, spanning five tax jurisdictions through 15 operating companies, including offices in Auckland, Melbourne, and Shanghai.

Key deliverables

• Partnered with CEO, executive team and board to restructure the business and begin the journey back to profitability.
• Led a team of 12 finance professionals across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of financial statements, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Oversaw the entire finance function, including transactional accounting, FP&A, tax and regulatory reporting, while driving process efficiencies and maintaining compliance with financial regulations.
• Collaborated with key stakeholders and cross-functional teams, contributing to a positive company culture and improved collaboration.
• Served as the project sponsor for the successful implementation of the NetSuite ERP system, driving significant process improvements, reducing business risks, and enhancing customer satisfaction and stakeholder relationships.
• Championed effective communication between finance personnel and other departments to facilitate cross-functional collaboration on projects and initiatives.
• Led cross-functional initiatives focused on margin and channel strategies, product costing, and new product development. These efforts resulted in successful SKU rationalisation, enhanced profit margins, and improved cash flow, driving overall business efficiency and profitability.
• Managed the trade sale program on the sell side of the M&A transaction after the business achieved a positive cash flow position.

Company Overview: Diver Foods Pty Ltd, a part of The Arnott's Group, is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of branded and private label breakfast cereals, muesli, and nutritional snacks, including bars and popcorn. With a turnover of $120 million and over 140 staff, Diver Foods is recognised for its high-quality food products, demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence through robust quality assurance processes and innovative product development.

Key deliverables

• Provided direct financial oversight, strategic direction, risk management, and governance as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), contributing to high-level decision- making and ensuring the organisation’s financial health and long-term success

• Led the finance team in delivering timely and accurate financial reporting, enabling data-driven commercial decision-making and driving improved business performance across key functions.

• Fostered a culture of continuous improvement across wider business units, driving enhanced output and leading a systems integration project.

• Managed a direct team of 5 and an indirect team of over 25, ensuring seamless collaboration and the successful implementation of process enhancements

• Collaborated closely with the Managing Director and executive leadership team to define the strategic direction and achieve business objectives.

• Successfully led the full implementation of the Pronto XI ERP system across all operational areas, resulting in significant improvements in business performance, decision-making capabilities, and a reduction in overall business risk.

• As an executive leader, partnered with production and supply chain teams to refine job costing processes, ensure ethical sourcing of materials, and negotiate supply contracts. This collaborative approach enhanced cost management, improved supply chain efficiency, and supported sustainable business practices.

• Led multiple rounds of debt funding, utilising strong financier relationships to secure capital for the company’s growth initiatives.

• Enhanced profitability with cost reduction initiatives, such as renegotiation of supplier contracts and process improvements.

Company Overview: Founded in 2015 following the merger of two well-established accounting firms with a history in Melbourne's South East dating back to 1968 (Waters Dace and Aston, Ryan, Malcolm), Ashford's emerged as a 7-partner multidisciplinary firm specialising in accounting, audit and assurance services.

Key deliverables

• Successfully led the merger of two audit and accounting practices, establishing a cohesive 7-partner multidisciplinary firm.

• Delivered a proven track record in managing complex accounting and audit projects, ensuring high standards of quality and compliance.

• Directed and mentored financial audit teams through all functions, including risk assessments and the use of risk assessment tools and techniques.

• Developed comprehensive audit plans that effectively addressed identified risks, incorporating specific audit procedures to mitigate those risks.

• Ensured that all audit activities adhered to relevant auditing standards, regulations, and organisational policies.

• Fostered a culture of quality and continuous improvement within the audit team by implementing training programs, providing constructive feedback, and conducting peer reviews.

Key deliverables

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• Led financial audit teams in conducting thorough risk assessments and implementing tailored audit procedures, enhancing risk mitigation efforts.

• Ensured compliance with auditing standards and regulations, promoting best practices within the audit processes.

• Led accounting firm license accreditation program reviewing internal controls and firm policies.

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• 6 month role then back to Davidsons

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• Provision of audit services to a range of clients and industries

• Team leadership development courses
• Selected and trained as a 'combat medic,' providing critical medical support and enhancing team readiness.
• Deployed to East Timor with 6 Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) - Operation Tanager 2000