James Lewis, Chief Financial Officer

Professional Overview

James Lewis is an accomplished finance executive with extensive experience in the insurance and energy sectors. As the Chief Financial Officer at Gallagher Bassett International, he is responsible for overseeing the company's financial strategy, reporting, and compliance initiatives, contributing to its overall growth and operational excellence.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Chief Financial Officer at Gallagher Bassett International since September 2021, James is responsible for leading the company's financial operations, including financial planning and analysis, treasury management, and risk management. He plays a crucial role in driving the company's strategic decision-making and ensuring financial stability and profitability.

Career Progression

Prior to his current role, James served as the Chief Financial Officer at Gallagher Bassett New Zealand from 2020 to 2021, where he successfully implemented process improvements and cost optimization strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency. Before that, he held the position of Commercial Manager - Corporate at Gallagher Bassett from 2016 to 2019, during which he spearheaded the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, enhancing the company's financial reporting capabilities.

Earlier in his career, James gained valuable experience as a Senior Commercial Analyst and Financial Analyst at Santos Ltd, where he contributed to the company's financial planning and analysis, as well as a Senior Consultant at PwC, where he advised clients on various financial and strategic matters.

Academic Background

James holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Accounting from the University of Queensland, where he graduated with First Class Honors. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

Areas of Expertise

James' areas of expertise include financial planning and analysis, treasury management, risk management, process improvement, and enterprise resource planning implementation. He has a proven track record of driving operational efficiencies, enhancing financial reporting, and contributing to the strategic decision-making of the organizations he has worked with.

Professional Impact

Throughout his career, James has demonstrated a commitment to delivering measurable results. At Gallagher Bassett New Zealand, his implementation of process improvements and cost optimization strategies led to a 15% increase in operational efficiency. Additionally, his leadership in the implementation of a new ERP system at Gallagher Bassett enhanced the company's financial reporting capabilities, enabling more informed decision-making.

Conclusion

With his extensive experience in the insurance and energy sectors, James Lewis is poised to continue making a significant impact as the Chief Financial Officer at Gallagher Bassett International. His strong financial acumen, strategic thinking, and commitment to operational excellence make him a valuable asset to the organization.