Lourens Els (MBA)
Stellenbosch
Summary
Dynamic professional with a proven track record in finance and data, developing innovative business strategies and integrating cutting-edge technology.
- Expertise in addressing complex business challenges, consistently achieving targets, and fostering collaborative team environments.
- Extensive experience in financial risk management, data modeling, and business intelligence facilitates effective data utilization for informed decision-making that supports organizational growth and profitability.
- Committed to leadership and mentorship across diverse industries, leveraging an MBA and finance acumen to deliver exceptional results while cultivating a positive, high-performance culture.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager: Social Impact and Monitoring & Evaluation
Mulilo Renewable Project Developments (Pty) Ltd
06.2024 - Current
- Led implementation of a Project Management framework. Resulting in 100% compliance with contracts and have cut down on admin work by 20%.
- Built a solid SQL database and a special M&E tool to track our projects, obtaining data 50% faster.
- Bursary funding: secured a $32 million in new bursary funding in a short 2 months, allowing 30 students to study in Denmark and more academic opportunities.
- Pioneered the use of advanced models for NPS to improve how stakeholders and communities view our entity.
- Profitable reporting system: created a profitable reporting system, to predict and calculate our breakeven points, and turned our department a highly profitable cost center.
- Drove initiatives to save money by switching from a third-party M&E tool to an internally built tool. Brought in a new payment partner to largely improve our financial processes.
- Spearheaded the use of AI and Large Language Models & changed department reporting and analysis, resulting in increased forecast accuracy by 15% and cutting reporting time by 30%.
- Designed a training program using videos, podcasts etc. to bring new team members up to speed 30% faster and standardize processes.
- Championed a new HR program, Hello Nelson, to help team members with personal and professional development.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with local communities and government groups to ensure renewable energy projects have support.
Business Intelligence (BI) Team Lead
DigiOutsource
02.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed the integration of new data sources, which resulted in faster and smarter decision-making.
- Designed new data models focusing on more accurate and efficient auditing processes.
- Built and streamlined reports to give our executive team better business insights.
- Helped build a high-performance team culture by mentoring my colleagues and making sure we all share knowledge and collaborate better.
- Improved workflows and project delivery faster by finding and implementing new technologies.
Senior Specialist: Credit Profit Optimisation
Capitec Bank
02.2018 - 01.2023
- Designed quantitative profit and risk models that maximized our profitability and helped us predict potential credit losses.
- Developed models and reports to analyze all the factors that influence the bank's Return on Equity (ROE).
- Built forecasting and budget models to help with our operational recoveries and did cash stress analysis to reduce risk.
- Created and monitored credit profit and rate stack-up models that met IFRS 9 standards, which helped keep the bank financially healthy.
- Compiled monthly reports for EXCO meetings and presentations for the CEO helped influence a lot of executive decisions!
Manager: Financial Report and Analysis for Middle East And Africa
Marriott International
07.2015 - 01.2018
- Oversaw and supported 48 Financial Managers across many hotels locations, ensuring their weekly and monthly report accuracy.
- Built tools to improve financial reporting and analytics more efficiently by centralizing data from 150 properties, providing the Board of Directors more accurate information.
- Managed valuations for 10 leased properties and collaborated with the finance team to improve business operations largely.
Group Financial Analyst – Business Development and Strategic Department
NWK Limited
06.2011 - 06.2015
- Led business growth efforts, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), that helped make NWK a top agricultural firm in Southern Africa.
- Created financial models and used NPV calculations to help us find and take advantage of new market opportunities.
- Helped reduce significant business risks by doing strategic forecasting and planning.
Education
Institute of CIMA -
London Charted Institute For Management Accounting
01-2026
(MBA) Master’s - Business Administration
Potchefstroom Business School (NWU)
01-2014
(MBP) Middle Management Program -
Potchefstroom Business School (NWU)
01-2011
BCom - Financial Risk Management and Economics
North-West University (NWU)
01-2008
High School Diploma -
Wilgervier High School
01-2004
Skills
- Accounting & Financial Management: Microsoft Dynamics Navision, Pastel Accounting, Sage Accpack, and SAP
- Business Intelligence (BI): Google Analytics, Microsoft Power BI, Qlik Sense Enterprise, QlikView Enterprise, and SmartView
- Databases: Oracle 10g/11g, SQL Server 2008, and Oracle PeopleSoft
- Programming Languages: Python, R, and SQL
- Advanced Statistical Analysis: SAS, STATA, and PHStat
- Communication & Collaboration: Microsoft SharePoint, Teams, Skype, and Zoom
Certification
- Advanced Microsoft Excel - Masterskills 2015
- Regression Statistical Course - CESAR 2014
- Excel on Steroids Course - VIP Payroll 2013
- Effective Business Writing - Potchefstroom Business School 2012
- Advanced Financial Modelling - PC Finance Research 2012
- Valuation Analysis Course - C Finance Research 2011
- Advanced Financial Analysis & Forecasting Course - NWU 2011
- Advanced Option Course - JSE 2010
- SAFEX Trading Certification - JSE 2009
- Advanced Derivative - JSE 2009
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Training
- Advanced Derivative Course
- Advanced Option Course
- Advanced Ms Office Course
- Effective Business Writing
- Investment of Excellence
- SQL and QLIKVIEW
- Advanced Financial Modelling
- Effective Accounting
- Various Accounting Courses
- Valuation Analysis
- Advanced Financial Analysis & Forecasting Course
- Regression Statistical Course – CESAR
- IFRS – Fundamentals
- IRIS and OPQ Testing
Timeline
Manager: Social Impact and Monitoring & Evaluation
Mulilo Renewable Project Developments (Pty) Ltd
06.2024 - Current
Business Intelligence (BI) Team Lead
DigiOutsource
02.2023 - 05.2024
Senior Specialist: Credit Profit Optimisation
Capitec Bank
02.2018 - 01.2023
Manager: Financial Report and Analysis for Middle East And Africa
Marriott International
07.2015 - 01.2018
Group Financial Analyst – Business Development and Strategic Department
NWK Limited
06.2011 - 06.2015
Institute of CIMA -
London Charted Institute For Management Accounting
(MBA) Master’s - Business Administration
Potchefstroom Business School (NWU)
(MBP) Middle Management Program -
Potchefstroom Business School (NWU)
BCom - Financial Risk Management and Economics
North-West University (NWU)
High School Diploma -
Wilgervier High School
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