CFO/COO with extensive experience in global corporations and start-ups, specializing in business performance and profitable growth. Proven expertise in finance leadership, structured financing, M&A post-integration, and global operations management. Key achievements include enhancing business capabilities for a high-growth Irish law firm and leading significant transformations in the Global Logistics Services division of Sandvik Mining, generating improved financial outcomes. Demonstrated success in directing corporate finance for start-ups and UK AIM-listed companies across various sectors, including aviation and med tech.
Hi, I’m
Gerard Dempsey
Dublin
Summary
Overview
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Childcare Minds LTD
Interim-Chief Financial Officer
08.2024 - 08.2024
Job overview
- I was responsible for leading M&A activity and developing and sourcing new funding solutions, and developing enhanced business and financial control.
- Childcare Minds LTD is a Childcare business seeking to grow its network of Creche services across Ireland.
Flynn O Driscoll Business Lawyers
Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer
01.2019 - 12.2023
Job overview
- Combined CFO & COO role: Covering Finance, IT, HR, Marketing, Operations /Facilities
- Business & Financial planning & control
- Target Setting & Outcome Management
- Capability building across the Firm
- IT service model transformation
- Risk and Organisational Change Management.
- Acquisition and Biz growth planning and execution
- Flynn O’Driscoll (FOD) is a business law firm offering expertise across the full spectrum of legal services, including Corporate, Commercial, Employment, Intellectual Property, Banking, Asset Finance, Aviation, Commercial Litigation, and Commercial Property.
Corporate Consulting
CFO-Strat Aero PLC
01.2017 - 12.2019
Job overview
- Provided CFO consulting services to technology-based (Software & Med Tech) companies to support business development and capital fund raising.
- Overseeing Acquisitions, Divestitures, Post Equity Raising on UK AIM and pre-IPO planning and preparation.
- Led and executed all Corporate Finance activity
- Directed and led investor relations, regulatory, financial planning & management activities
- Transitioned Strat Aero from a single UAV technology focus to a broader technology-focused listed vehicle.
- Executed the acquisition of Geocurve (UAV Surveying Solutions) – (Key Customers: EDF, UK Environment Agency)
- Exited Underperforming business areas (US Wind Farm Surveying & niche UAV Product Development)
Sandvik Mining
Vice President – Global Logistics Services
01.2012 - 12.2016
Job overview
- Appointed initially as CFO of the parts & services organisation (USD 1 Billion Revenue), I was promoted after 3mths to Vice President of Global Logistics Services, leading the organisation through significant change and commercial and organisational transformation.
- Grew operating margin performance through a series of focused initiatives across the Sandvik global supply
- Redesigned the parts global supply network to enhance order fulfilment lead times, optimise inventory levels, and reduce cost to serve (global/regional hub model)
- Restructured the global organisation and vendor model to better meet global service commitments and reduce cost
- Established continuous service improvement initiatives internally and with 3rd party vendors to improve supply chain performance across all regions.
- Rationalised outsourced logistics/supply chain solutions throughout Europe, North America, Africa & Australasia.
- Identified key systemic reporting issues and rectified global reporting and costing measurement processes.
- Sandvik is a key partner and service provider to the global mining industry providing innovative mining equipment solutions and service support to all major mining corporations.
T-Coag/Stago Ireland
Chief Financial Officer
01.2009 - 12.2012
Job overview
- I was appointed to lead the integration of the T-Coag group into the Stago group (France) following its acquisition from Trinity Biotech PLC.
- Led the post-acquisition integration of T-Coag into the Stago Group, covering sales & marketing, regulatory, manufacturing & supply chain, and finance.
- Established new business planning, financial control, and commercial business governance processes for the newly formed T-Coag group.
- Chairman of the T-Coag business leadership team
- T-Coag (Former owner Trinity Biotech) operated in the In-Vitro Diagnosis (IVD) industry, focused on hemostasis solutions (Instruments, Reagents & Services).
Airvod
Chief Financial Officer
01.2006 - 12.2008
Job overview
- Developed the business plans addressing product development, supply chain solutions, revenue models, etc.
- Led a series of funding programs to support the development of the business, working with relationship banks, venture capital units, and Enterprise Ireland.
- Secured product supply and media content solutions and restructured the commercial terms and cost base to achieve minimum target operating margins.
- Airvod a newly formed company, provided innovative portable inflight media solutions to the commercial aviation industry.
Microsoft Ireland
Finance Director
01.2003 - 12.2006
Job overview
- Successfully led and directed a Finance organisation of ~200 FTE, supporting MS EMEA operations encompassing Corporate Governance, Controllership & Compliance, Business Operations, Decision Support, Financial Planning and Analysis, Sales & Channel management, Real Estate & Facilities, Business Systems.
- Led and supported key investment and transformation initiatives covering:
- Revenue Channel Mgt – (pricing management, revenue assurance & licensing compliance)
- European Licensing – process optimisation and system redesign, and resource management
- Business integration (Navision – MBS products)
- Cost reduction and outsourcing programs across all divisions
- Xbox 2 Launch, MS Operating Systems and MS Office Upgrades, Various B2C solutions
- Successful implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Program
- Oversight and governance of the Irish Tax Model, direct and indirect.
- Microsoft Ireland encompasses EMEA Operations, finance, HR and sales & marketing and Global product/software development & localisation. (~1500 FTE’s, & 25% of MSFT global revenue).
Diageo PLC
Managing Director – Diageo IFSC/Corporate Treasury & Head of Finance Shared Services
01.1994 - 12.2003
Job overview
- I created Finance Shared Service centres within Guinness and I established the Guinness International Financing Business unit in Dublin.
- Designed and implemented new group structures to support the integrated Diageo business in Ireland (circa 50 legal entities, 2000 employees), solving complex commercial, tax, intellectual property, and employee-related issues.
- Created and led the Guinness finance shared services organisation.
- Created and led the Diageo Ireland Treasury business unit, merging the former Guinness & Grand Metropolitan Treasury units, redesigning the IFSC financing model to deliver a (x10 increase) in economic profit p.a. with ~$1Billion Assets under Management.
- Serving the growing business needs of the Guinness and Diageo global business, I established and led the Diageo Corporate Treasury/IFSC organisation, providing group finance solutions and structured financing products/services.
Education
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Chartered Accountant (FCA) from Finance
09-1985
University Overview
Continual CPD: Project Management, Brand Building, Leadership & Coaching, Negotiation Skills, Communication,Corporate Treasury ,Risk Managment, International Finance, Tax, Corporate Strategy
Skills
- Financial planning and analysis
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Risk assessment and management
- Regulatory compliance
- Performance metrics
- Business strategy development
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- COO/CFO delivering enhanced business management capabilities and outcomes to a high-growth domestic Irish Law firm
- Successful corporate Finance and business development consulting for start-up and UK AIM-listed companies – Aviation, Med Tech & IT. Overseeing Acquisitions, Divestitures, Post Equity Raising on UK AIM, and pre-IPO preparation and planning.
- Leadership of the Global Logistics services division of Sandvik Mining, Revenue: USD 1 Billion, circa 100+ locations globally & 500 + FTE staff: delivering major business transformation, service enhancements, and improved financial performance
- Led the post-acquisition integration within the Stago Group (Med Tech), achieving savings and maintaining top-line focus throughout and organisational stability during the change period
- Successfully directed and led the EMEA Operations Finance organisation at Microsoft through a period of significant change, cost efficacy, and enhanced compliance. (Revenue controlled: USD10 Billion)
- Delivered group structured financing solutions at Diageo, delivering global after-tax profit enhancement of over $50M p.a.
- Established and led European Finance shared Services Centres, providing business support services and solutions to the Guinness Group
- Head of Diageo IFSC– Creating and implementing innovative pan-European structured funding solutions for the Diageo Group
- Established and led the Pfizer European Treasury Centre (USD 1 billion AUM)
- Established the Risk Management function for Schroders Investment Bank (Australia)
Phone
Phone
+353, 86-2246478Education Training
Education Training
- Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (FCA).
- Continual CPD; Project Management, Brand Building, Leadership & Coaching, Negotiation Skills, Communication, Technical Finance, Tax, Corporate Strategy
Timeline
Interim-Chief Financial Officer
Childcare Minds LTD
08.2024 - 08.2024
Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer
Flynn O Driscoll Business Lawyers
01.2019 - 12.2023
CFO-Strat Aero PLC
Corporate Consulting
01.2017 - 12.2019
Vice President – Global Logistics Services
Sandvik Mining
01.2012 - 12.2016
Chief Financial Officer
T-Coag/Stago Ireland
01.2009 - 12.2012
Chief Financial Officer
Airvod
01.2006 - 12.2008
Finance Director
Microsoft Ireland
01.2003 - 12.2006
Managing Director – Diageo IFSC/Corporate Treasury & Head of Finance Shared Services
Diageo PLC
01.1994 - 12.2003
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Chartered Accountant (FCA) from Finance