A keen chess-player, with an interest in how things work and how people learn, Robert Harden started out as an economist and moved into accountancy within the insurance industry, before finding his niche in operational and financial management.
As an internal trouble-shooter, strategist and business development consultant for QBE, one of the world’s largest insurance groups, Robert has had plenty of experience of getting to the heart of what’s holding a business back and putting systems and process in place to fix it. As just one example, Robert was appointed Finance Director of a seemingly underperforming unit, where he worked with the Managing Director to drive through changes to strategy, planning and reporting. Robert stayed in this FD role long enough to deliver increased profitability and crucially, renewed confidence in the unit, before being redeployed to solve other problems elsewhere in the group. He left behind an increased per-transaction capacity for the unit and stable profit generation for the parent.
Robert also has extensive experience of helping business units achieve growth and profitability through start-ups, acquisitions and (where appropriate) exit - in the UK and throughout Europe.
Robert’s unique combination of talents – the ability to ‘see the wood for the trees’ together with the knack of helping others to see it too, backed up by sound financial and strategic sense makes him an ideal non-executive Director, a position Rob has filled for a number of businesses.
Already a qualified Chartered Accountant (via PwC in London), Robert also has a Diploma in Company Direction (with Distinction) through the Institute of Directors and hopes shortly to achieve Chartered Director status.
Robert has recently joined Hard Hat Business Advice, a franchise which delivers practical, hands-on help for struggling business owners - unlocking their drivers for sustainable growth. Hard Hat clients usually see a sustainable improvement in their bottom line within 4 months.
"Just to let you know that I am proud to announce our turnover went over the £200,000 mark last week at a profit margin of around 48%, and we are still pushing for 50%. We are now 60% towards our stretch target of £340,000 this financial year with 6 months left to go. This is a great result which I would like to thank you for helping us with."
TH, Managing Director
The Profiteer
Newsflash
Big thinking for small business...
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Hard Hat Business Advice continue to hold a series of FREE workshops funded by Business Link Kent.
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ROBERT HARDEN
