Hired to manage the bid process including bid strategy and to undertake a major review of the cost base, working closely with internal audit so that FirstGroup could more effectively compete in a highly competitive market place and to build the commercial skills and awareness of the commercial and finance departments.

• Bid management and development of bid strategy.

• Modelling of contractual tenders to appraise investments and capital projects.

• Development of the five-year plan and identification of major risk issues.

• Identification, analysis and recommendation of business opportunities.

• Analysis and recommendation of CAPEX strategy.

• Identification of acquisition targets.

• Review of vehicle purchasing programme and recommendation of vehicle acquisition strategy including cascading programme of older vehicles across the UK

• Detailed negotiation of the master legal framework legalities with TfL and audit and control of all contractual documentation including annual reviews and enforcement of contractual terms and conditions.

• Investment appraisal and commercial due diligence on all major bids and submission of recommendations to Corporate Finance for approval/sign off

• Developed the commercial skills of the commercial team

• Improved modelling for investment appraisals to protect margin erosion on contracts undertaken

• Identified 4 new acquisition targets for expansion strategy including all due diligence

• Implemented a competitive analysis framework for the strategic analysis of key sector companies

• Audit of cost base, bid models and working methodologies resulted in First being able to reduce average bid prices by 5%.