In addition, Tom has accumulated 20 years+ in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, mainly in the FMCG, Foodservice sectors, and specifically food & consumables in the travel sector (e.g. Airlines), delivering significant savings for clients. Over the years Tom has added manufacturing, supply chain management, marketing and selling to his skill set, and achieved significant market share growth, particularly the highly competitive tea and coffee markets.

An experienced Finance Director Tom Brennan has worked in the SME sector throughout his career. Involved in start-ups and turnaround situations.

He has introduced management reporting, budgeting and forecasting systems. Is well acquainted with rigorous international reporting requirements of multi-nationals, having worked with US based multinationals General Foods, Caterpillar and Hallmark Cards.

Tom first worked with Alfred Bird & Sons (a General Foods subsidiary at the time). He then qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant. For a new challenge, Tom emigrated to Zambia when an opportunity arose with the Caterpillar Dealership there. He completed two successful contracts before returning to Ireland for family reasons.

His first job on return was with a motor spare parts business and after two years an opportunity arose to join an ex-colleague in the FMCG sector as Finance Director. After a short period, he became Managing Director of the business and successfully turned the business around, leading it for a further 7 years.

Tom later joined the Campbell Bewley Group as Managing Director of its tea and coffee operations, achieving significant market share growth in tea and coffee. He moved into procurement within the Group with responsibility for a spend of €100m. At the time, Campbell Catering Ltd was part of the Group and the largest contract caterer in Ireland, within an excess of 300 contracts in education, industry, commerce, and hospital settings.

The Group acquired four contract catering companies in the UK as part of its growth strategy. To realise the synergies from these acquisitions, Tom consolidated the supply base into one, delivering significant savings in the process. In 2008, he set up Prestige Purchasing (Ireland) Ltd and as its Managing Director, he has achieved significant savings for various clients operating mainly in the hospitality sector.

Throughout his career, he has taken part in and led:

• Management Reporting: Developed management reporting systems over the years.
• Business Turnaround: Improving product quality, expanding product range, and taking more control of the Supply Chain.
• Market Share Growth: By gaining listings in all major supermarkets gained major market share growth in the very competitive FMCG market. Supported by improved product quality, attractive packaging, and promotional activity.
• Business Excellence: Irish Centre for Business Excellence, developed a structure for reporting quarterly on non-financial Corporate Objectives. Customers, Employees, Community, Environment and Profit.
• Procurement and Supply Chain Management: developed a one-stop shop system to service 300+ outlets on a 3/5 times per week basis. Delivering large savings in the process.
• International experience: Worked in Zambia for 5+ years with responsibility way beyond my experience and age at the time. Carried out project work in the United Kingdom, Japan, Colombia, Sacramento, and Boston.

Accounts preparation, Board meetings, Board reports, Business plans, Costing, Reorganisation, Sales & Marketing, Business Growth Management, Business Process Improvement, Business Strategies, Financial Analysis, Financial Modelling, Financial Restructuring, Financial Structuring, Leadership, People Management, Project Management, Stakeholders Management, Management Accounts, KPIs, Company Start-ups, Budgets, Executive Team Leadership, Financial Forecasting, Financial Coaching and Training, Cost Controls

1. FMCG
2. Foodservice
3. Hospitality
4. Manufacturing
5. Wholesale Distribution