Meet Craig Leary, Ellard's Finance Manager: The Numbers Behind Better Business Decisions

It’s been almost six months since Craig joined Ellard as Finance Manager, and in that time there has been plenty to get stuck into.

Reflecting on his first half year at Ellard, Craig says it has gone incredibly quickly, with much of the initial focus centred around getting to know the business, understanding our processes and seeing how our different departments work together.

“I’ve really enjoyed my start at Ellard,” he says. “One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is getting to know the people across the business. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I feel like I’ve settled into the role and the wider team well.”

Coming into the business with a fresh perspective has also provided an opportunity to look at existing processes with a different lens and identify where Finance can make things simpler, more efficient and more effective.

More Than Just Numbers

Finance might not be the department customers see when they contact Ellard, place an order or receive their products, but it plays an important role in making those interactions possible.

A strong Finance function gives the wider business a clearer understanding of what is happening financially, allowing decisions to be made based on reliable, timely information rather than assumptions.

That can influence everything from where the business invests and how resources are allocated, through to purchasing decisions, stock management and identifying where processes can be made more efficient.

For Ellard, the objective is not simply to report on what has already happened. It is about giving departments the information they need to understand what is happening now and make better decisions about what happens next.

Building Strong Foundations

During his first six months, one of Craig’s key priorities has been strengthening those foundations within Finance.

This has included improving processes, the quality and timeliness of financial information, and making Finance more proactive in supporting the wider business. The team has also been looking at ways to reduce unnecessary manual work and improve the information available to colleagues.

These improvements may happen behind the scenes, but they can have a very practical impact across the business.

When processes are more efficient, teams have more time to focus on their core responsibilities. When information is accurate and available at the right time, managers can make quicker, more informed decisions. And when the business has a clearer view of its financial position, it is better placed to plan ahead, invest in the right areas and respond to changing customer and market demands.

Ultimately, all of this contributes to the service we provide to customers.

“Finance supports every area of the business by providing the information needed to make informed decisions,” explains Craig. “By providing accurate financial information and efficient processes, we help the wider business operate effectively and continue providing a great service to our customers.”

That connection between Finance and the customer is an important one. A well-run business is better equipped to maintain the products, people, systems and infrastructure that customers rely on. It also gives Ellard greater visibility of where improvements can be made and where investment can deliver the most value.

From Reporting to Supporting

One of Craig’s ambitions is for Finance to become an increasingly proactive partner to the rest of the business.

Rather than Finance simply providing figures when they are requested, the goal is to help departments understand what those figures mean and how they can use them to make better decisions.

That means working collaboratively across Ellard, understanding the challenges different teams face and using financial insight to help find practical solutions.

It is a shift from Finance being seen purely as a reporting function to becoming a source of insight that can help the whole business perform better.

Looking Ahead

With the foundations now in place, the focus for the next 6 months is on building momentum.

A key ambition is to build skills, improve the way the department works and establish an even more proactive Finance function that can add greater value across Ellard.

“I’d like us to build on the progress we’ve already made,” says Craig. “Over the next 6 months, my focus is to continue improving the Finance function and developing the team alongside it.”

For customers, the benefit of that work may not always be immediately visible, but it is an important part of building a stronger, more efficient and sustainable Ellard.

After a busy first half of the year of understanding, improving and strengthening the Finance function, Craig’s next chapter at Ellard is about turning those foundations into further progress.