Kaizen Group profile

Debbie Spiers

Strategic Finance Partner

Turning financial insight into practical actions and confident decisions.

About Me

I’m a CIMA-qualified Chartered Management Accountant with extensive experience in senior finance roles across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, waste and recycling, healthcare, education and service-based businesses. With a proven track record of financial leadership, forecasting, commercial analysis, cash management, business partnering and improving financial processes.

I am naturally direct and commercially minded, and I believe finance should do much more than report what has already happened. My focus is on turning financial information into practical actions that help businesses improve performance, manage cash, protect margins and plan confidently for the future.

What I Do at Kaizen

For the past four years, I have worked as a Strategic Fractional Finance Director with Kaizen Group Ltd, supporting a portfolio of businesses across a variety of sectors. I enjoy getting beneath the numbers to understand how a business really works and using financial insight to help owners and management teams make informed, commercially focused decisions.

I work closely with business owners, directors and senior management teams, acting as a strategic finance partner and providing both financial challenge and support. My role varies depending on the needs and stage of each business, but typically includes strategic planning, detailed financial plans, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, business performance reviews and management information.

A key part of my role is carrying out detailed reviews of business performance, identifying the reasons behind financial and operational variances and helping management understand what the numbers mean for the business. I develop financial forecasts and models that allow businesses to assess different scenarios, understand future funding and cash requirements, and measure progress against their strategic objectives.

I also support businesses with profitability and margin analysis, working capital, financial controls, systems and processes, investment decisions, funding requirements and specific commercial projects. Where appropriate, I work alongside the existing finance team to strengthen reporting and ensure management receives accurate, relevant and timely financial information.

Ultimately, my role is to give business owners greater financial visibility and control, helping them understand where the business is today, where it is heading and what actions are required to achieve their objectives.

Experience

My career in finance spans more than three decades and has given me experience across businesses of very different sizes, structures and sectors.

Before joining Kaizen, I held senior positions including Group Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, Financial Controller and Chief Financial Accountant, with responsibility for everything from management and statutory reporting to strategic planning, cash flow, budgeting, forecasting and financial controls.

My experience includes working within manufacturing, construction and modular buildings, waste and recycling, chemicals, healthcare, further education and service businesses. This variety has given me a broad commercial perspective and an ability to quickly understand the financial and operational drivers of different businesses.

Throughout my career I have worked closely with senior management teams, operational teams and business owners, providing financial challenge and insight rather than simply reporting the numbers. I have also led and supported major projects involving ERP implementation, acquisitions and integrations, process improvement, cost reduction, funding options and business performance improvement. During my career, I have developed extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, business partnering and project and margin analysis, giving me a strong understanding of the financial and commercial drivers that underpin successful businesses.

Quick Fire

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Getting underneath the numbers, understanding what is really happening in a business and helping owners turn that insight into practical decisions.

Outside Kaizen?

I have recently taken up running again and try to run 5 times a week.

Something not many know?

I learnt BSL (British Sign Language) to level 2. Albeit a little rusty now.

Something colleagues quickly learn about you?

I’m direct, I ask lots of questions, and I like the numbers to make sense!

Start a conversation

Ready to start a conversation?

Talk through the opportunity, challenge or next step.

Talk to Debbie