KAREN CHARLTON

Results-driven professional with a proven track record in directing operations, managing finances, and overseeing human resources. Adept at implementing strategic initiatives to optimize organizational performance and drive business growth. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders. Demonstrated expertise in streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving operational efficiency. Committed to delivering exceptional results and exceeding expectations in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

• Additional information available upon request.

• Director, Apextech Group, South Africa, 2014-11-01, 2024-08-31, Operational Oversight: Offering input and assistance around the development, maintenance and upgrading of Network infrastructure to ensure reliable and high quality service delivery in a highly competitive business., Service Quality: Assist with the implementation and monitoring of performance metrics to ensure customer satisfaction and service reliability., Financial: Oversee financial position ensuring profitability and sustainable growth. Optimising operational costs through efficiencies., Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating potential risks where possible against cybersecurity threats, legal liabilities and market challenges., Human Resources: Lead efforts to attract, retain and develop top talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. Promote a positive workplace environment that encourages employee engagement, motivation and productivity., Customer Relations: Champion initiatives to enhance the customer experience, including support, service delivery and communication. Develop and implement strategies to increase customer retention in a highly competitive market., Was instrumental in growing one business with a handful of customers to a group of companies with thousands of happy customers.
• Debtor and Policy Loading Manager, Liquid Capital, South Africa, 2012-02-01, 2014-11-30, Managed a team of 8 debtor's clerks., Managed a team of 18 policy loading administrators, Reduced an aged receivables book of a 100 million plus from 90 days down to 97.9% of the book being settled within 30 day terms. The policy loading department backlog of thousands of policies not loaded onto company systems took 3 months to rectify and the department maintained 100% loading monthly thereafter.
• Debtors Manager / Restructuring, Bidvest Bank, South Africa, 2009-09-01, 2012-02-29, Successfully embraced the new role, catching up on the backlog of work and was nominated as Employee of the year.
• Debtors Manager, McCarthy Fleet Solutions, South Africa, 2009-09-01, 2012-02-29, Managed a large corporate debtor's book for the Kwa Zulu Natal and Cape Town regions., Built strong relationships with the customers, ensured all queries were resolved very promptly and this in turn resulted in reducing most debtors from 60 day plus payment terms to payments being received within 30 day terms.
• Finance and HR Manager, Paul McKenna Training, London, 2004-12-01, 2009-06-30, Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Optimisation, Risk Mitigation, Talent acquisition, HR Policy development, Employee Retention and Relations, Successfully updated a multi-year backlog of uncaptured sales invoices into the financial system, restoring financial accuracy and integrity. Introduced and implemented new processes for month end closing and reporting significantly enhancing efficiencies.
• Finance and HR Manager, Cartesis UK Ltd, London, 2002-01-01, 2004-12-31, Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Optimisation, Risk Mitigation, Talent acquisition, HR Policy development, Employee Retention and Relations, Played a pivotal role in the development and successful rollout of comprehensive policies and procedures in a start up environment, establishing a robust operational framework from the ground up.
• Accounts Administrator, Delphis Consulting UK Ltd, London, 2000-01-01, 2001-12-31, First temporary contract in London that turned into a full time position.
• Partner, FS Consumables, South Africa, 1995-01-01, 1999-12-31, This was an entrepreneurial venture founding my own business with a partner, importing CV Boots for vehicles from Italy. Great results were achieved and in December 1999 I sold my shares and prepared for my relocation to the United Kingdom.
• Sales Consultant, First National Bank of SA, South Africa, 1981-01-01, 1995-12-31, Top sales consultant increasing the bank's market share from 5% to 75% for the North Coast Region in KZN.

• Leadership
• Business Development
• Sales Management
• Commercial Acumen
• Operations Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Self Motivated
• Analytical Skills
• Organisational Skills
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Thrives under pressure
• Multi Tasking
• Teamwork
• Computer Proficient
• Time Management
• Interpersonal Relations

• Various in house training courses over the years.
• Advanced Excel