Case Study: Consulting Capacity as Head of Finance for Emirates Leisure Retail Australia and New Zealand
Client Overview: Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) is a prominent subsidiary of the Emirates/Dnata Group, specialising in travel retail within Australia and New Zealand. The company is renowned for its unique offering of retail, dining, and leisure services within airports, catering to a wide range of international travellers.
Business Challenge: As a subsidiary of a large international conglomerate, ELR was undergoing a period of business expansion and strategic shifts. With this growth came an increased need for professional financial oversight, particularly in relation to commercial negotiations and business documentation. The Managing Director and Board of Directors required expert advice to ensure that financial decisions aligned with the company’s strategic goals and that risks were appropriately mitigated in all commercial transactions.
Consulting Role and Approach: In the capacity as Head of Finance Consultant, Ash was tasked with providing strategic financial guidance to the company’s senior leadership team. Ash’s role focused on:
- Commercial Negotiations: Ash facilitated in-depth reviews of key commercial contracts and negotiations. This included assessing the financial viability of proposed agreements, identifying potential financial risks, and advising on negotiation strategies to secure optimal terms for ELR. By analysing both the short-term and long-term financial impacts of these negotiations, Ash ensured that the company maintained a robust financial position.
- Document Review and Risk Assessment: Ash reviewed a wide array of business documents, including partnership agreements, lease contracts, and supplier terms. Ash’s role was to identify areas where financial or operational risks could be mitigated, recommending adjustments or clarifications where needed. This involved liaising closely with the legal and commercial teams to ensure compliance with both internal policies and external regulations.
- Strategic Financial Guidance: Regular discussions with the Managing Director were integral to Ash’s role. Ash provided detailed financial analysis and presented insights on revenue performance, cost efficiency, and profitability, which helped in steering the company’s decision-making processes. This strategic support empowered the leadership team to make well-informed decisions that supported both the immediate and long-term objectives of the business.
- Financial Reporting and Forecasting: Ash’s consultancy also encompassed high-level financial reporting and forecasting, enabling ELR to project its financial outlook more accurately. This allowed the leadership team to better allocate resources, set realistic financial targets, and plan for upcoming opportunities and challenges.
- Financial Leadership: Ash played a pivotal role in providing strong financial team leadership during a period of significant change within the senior leadership of the organisation. As the company navigated a transition at the senior leadership level, Ash’s leadership became crucial in maintaining stability, ensuring continuity, and driving the financial department toward its strategic goals. Throughout this time of uncertainty, Ash stepped up to offer clear guidance and direction to the financial team, aligning their efforts with the broader vision of the business. Ash’s ability to manage the evolving dynamics of the organisation, while maintaining focus on financial integrity and performance, helped the team adapt and thrive in a time of leadership flux.
By effectively communicating with both the internal financial team and other departments, Ash ensured that the finance function remained a strong pillar of support to the business. His leadership was key in fostering trust, maintaining morale, and ensuring the seamless execution of financial strategies, which ultimately contributed to the organisation’s ongoing success despite the leadership changes at the senior level.
Results and Impact: Throughout Ash’s tenure as a consultant, Ash helped ELR optimise several commercial deals, with financial insights enabling the business to better align its financial goals with broader strategic objectives, enhancing profitability and ensuring sustainable growth. This ultimately allowed the leadership team to focus on driving innovation and expansion within the competitive travel retail sector.
Conclusion: As a consultant in the capacity of Head of Finance for Emirates Leisure Retail Australia and New Zealand, Ash provided crucial financial expertise during a pivotal time in the company’s development. Ash’s role in reviewing commercial agreements, offering strategic financial guidance, and assessing risks played a key role in ensuring that the business remained financially sound and positioned for future growth within the dynamic travel retail industry.
