Professional Overview
Laura Wood is a seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of experience driving strategic growth and operational excellence across the retail, apparel, and restaurant industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at Côte Restaurants, she leverages her expertise in financial planning, analysis, and transformational leadership to support the company's ambitious expansion plans.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Financial Officer at Côte Restaurants, Laura is responsible for overseeing the company's financial strategy, reporting, and risk management. She plays a critical role in driving the organization's profitability and long-term sustainability through sound financial decision-making and strategic initiatives. Under her leadership, Côte Restaurants has achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency and positioning for accelerated growth.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Côte Restaurants, Laura held various finance leadership roles, including Founder and Lead Consultant at Ribbonwood, Strategy Director and Interim CFO at wagamama, and Commercial Finance Director at wagamama. Her earlier career experiences include positions at Burberry, L'Oreal, and Marks & Spencer, where she developed a deep understanding of the retail and consumer goods sectors. Throughout her career, Laura has demonstrated a strong aptitude for driving business transformation, optimizing financial processes, and aligning cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives.
Academic Background
Laura holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Birmingham. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having completed her training at KPMG Consulting.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial planning and analysis
- Strategic financial management
- Operational optimization and cost management
- Mergers, acquisitions, and integration
- Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Cross-functional collaboration and change management
Professional Impact
During her tenure at wagamama, Laura played a pivotal role in the company's strategic transformation, implementing a data-driven approach to financial decision-making and driving significant improvements in profitability. As the Interim CFO, she successfully steered the organization through a period of leadership transition, ensuring seamless financial operations and paving the way for the company's continued growth.
Conclusion
With her proven track record of financial leadership, strategic acumen, and operational excellence, Laura Wood is poised to drive Côte Restaurants' financial success and contribute to its long-term growth and expansion. Her diverse industry experience, coupled with her strong analytical skills and collaborative mindset, make her an invaluable asset to the organization.
