Based at Advanced’s headquarters on Balliol Business Park, Ben will be responsible for developing the company’s global financial and IT strategies as it continues to expand in the UK and overseas.
Ben began his career training as an accountant in high-profile investment banks including Schroders and Salomon Smith Barney. He subsequently moved into the manufacturing sector, where he has spent the last 20 years in commercial finance roles for several multinational manufacturers including Herman Miller and De La Rue.
Strategic commercial and operational decision-making
In his new role, Ben will leverage the business’ enterprise resource planning system to bring to the foreground financial insights that will be used to support strategic commercial and operational decisions. He said: “In the short time I’ve been at Advanced, I’ve already witnessed the fantastic reputation the company has in the fire industry. I’m excited to be able to play my part in turning our ambitious growth plans into reality.”
“My ethos for working in finance is to be commercially focused and to take a collaborative approach. This way, I believe we are best placed to gather the information we need to help qualify our business decisions and ultimately deliver greater value - as a department, and as a business.”
In 2019, Advanced’s turnover increased by 20 percent to £25million on the back of particularly strong growth in the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia.
Diversify product portfolio
Advanced’s Managing Director, Pete Browitt, said: “Ben’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Advanced as we continue to invest in new technology and techniques to help drive business insight. Leveraging financial information through system automation, data gathering and analysis will play an important part in determining how we diversify our product portfolio and accelerate our growth.”
“Ben’s manufacturing sector experience and his ability to lead change are attributes we need to drive our business forward and we are delighted to welcome him to the Board.”