STERLING BRAIN

Accountabilities

• Operating as a freelance consultant in-between full-time positions

Achievements

• Advised BGH Capital on its bid for Virgin Australia
• Advised Woolworths on ways to decarbonise its business and deliver on its Net Zero commitment target
• Advised Blackstone on its bid for TEG
• Advised BCG Chile and BCG Saudi on airline loyalty programs

Accountabilities

• Setting the long-term strategy for the business
• Developing the go-to-market approach and value proposition to support the transition from construction to operations
• Establish and oversee the commercial function
• Ensuring the business had sufficient access to capital to fund its ramp up

Achievements

• Secured the refinancing of the $135m debt facility on more favourable terms providing the platform for growth
• Developed a solid BD pipeline of business
• Bolstered the BD efforts by securing the assistance of the Hon Julie Bishop
• Instrumental in securing the sale of 25% of capacity in the first year of operations
• Strengthened the Board with the addition of Ross Love, ex-BCG

Accountabilities

• Setting the long-term strategy for the business to ensure investment return hurdles where met for PE over its investment horizon
• Accountable for the finance, legal and airline partnerships function managing a team of 12 people
• Subsequently accountable for the commercial function managing a team of 35 people
• Refreshing the strategy and developing the equity story to support the exit of PE from the business

Achievements

• Produced timely management accounts and Exco reporting, Audit and Risk Management Committee papers and Board papers
• Grew sales from ~$250m to ~$450m over 5 years and EBITDA from $95m to ~$150m
• Became the first airline loyalty program to offer points on mortgages (NAB, Westpac)
• Delivered a 3.5x return on equity for PE

Accountabilities

• Running the 3 year strategic planning process for the Bank
• Developing a shared understanding across the business of the Bank's competitive advantages and disadvantages
• Establishing programs of work to address both advantages and disadvantages
• Managing the finance function for the Debt Markets and Specialised finance business (team of 5, revenue of $750m)
• Developing an enterprise-wide loyalty program for NAB to encourage customers to make NAB their MFI

Achievements

• Developed the Group’s strategy focus on four key pillars – rebalancing the business portfolio, strengthening the balance sheet, enhancing the reputation and improving the efficiency and quality of service – and ensured it was communicated and well understood throughout the organisation
• Co-ordinated with Finance to ensure the annual budgeting process incorporated the key strategic initiatives
• Prepared strategy presentations, progress updates and papers for the Board
• Established the NAB Rewards program

Accountabilities

• Drive change and client value creation through the execution of consulting assignments

Achievements

• Selected as one of BCG top 20 performing consultants and placed on its Ambassador program to work in BCG’s Atlanta office in the US for 18 months
• Led a number of consulting assignments on a range of topics including strategy, M&A, partnerships, new business development, cost reduction across a range of industries
• Secured the Woolworths / Qantas loyalty alliance
• Supported the decision to launch Jetstar to bolster the Qantas's Group's competitive position

Accountabilities

• Support key aspects of the receivership, administration or liquidation across a range of industries

Achievements

• Completed Chartered Accountant professional training and qualified as a Chartered Accountant whilst working simultaneously
• Selected as a high-performer and transferred to PwC's London office