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Marina Bird

@marinabird

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Global Finance & Strategy Executive with a passion for sustainability.

Zimbabwe

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What I'm looking for

I value roles where I can work closely with leadership teams, influence decision-making, and contribute to long-term value creation, especially in settings where technology, ESG and entrepreneurial thinking intersect. A collaborative culture, intellectual challenge and a mission I can stand behind are essential to me.

I am a highly accomplished Senior Finance and Operations Executive with over 20 years of integrated business development experience. My career has been marked by a proven track record of success in meeting KPIs and business goals, particularly in the areas of ESG and sustainability. I was honored to be named Business Woman of the Year by EY in 2019 and have extensive experience as a Business Finance consultant, including my role as Regional CFO at Bureau Veritas, where I led a team of over 53 professionals across 10 countries.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my ability to drive business scaling and startup initiatives, having co-founded Exclaim and contributed to the growth of several ventures, including Global Fashion Group. My expertise in financial modeling and operational planning has enabled me to translate strategic visions into actionable roadmaps. I have successfully restructured operations to improve profitability, turning negative margins into significant gains, and have built Finance Shared Services Centers to support multiple countries.

As the Managing Director at ESG News, I scaled the platform into a leading global sustainable finance media outlet, significantly enhancing its reach and partnerships. I am passionate about leveraging my skills in finance and operations to contribute to impactful projects that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Managing Director / Finance Director

Current

ESG News

Jan 2022 - Present (3 years 6 months)

Scaled ESG News into the leading global sustainable finance media platform, achieving 70% global sustainable finance market share with 180+ syndication partners and 300M+ reach. Supported the execution of the company's business strategies and partnership development, while managing financial reporting, budget, investments, and business ventures.

Sustainable Finance Media Management Business Strategy Partnership Development Financial Reporting Budget Management Investment Management Risk Management

Regional CFO & Business Partner

Bureau Veritas - ADR

Aug 2016 - Oct 2020 (4 years 2 months)

Led finance for the region, managing a team of approximately 53 people across Switzerland, Ukraine, Baltic countries, and Eastern Europe. Built a Finance Shared Services Center (SSC) supporting several countries and restructured operations, improving operating margin from -25% to +32%.

Cash Management

Group CFO

Global Fashion Group - GFG

Oct 2011 - Aug 2016 (4 years 10 months)

Set up B2B financial and legal supervision for outsourced services, including delivery, warehouse, call center, and online shop management for other brands. Built and led a finance department of 55 people, launched internal operations, and expanded to new markets.

B2B Financial Supervision Operational Launch Market Expansion Budgeting IFRS ERP Implementation

R-

Deputy CFO

Rosbank -Leasing

Nov 2010 - Sep 2011 (10 months)

Led the finance department, managing a team of 16 people. Successfully merged three legal entities, unified processes, and managed budgeting for the organization.

Budget Management

Head of Finance Department

Allianz - ALIZY

Oct 2009 - Nov 2010 (1 year 1 month)

Launched two medical clinics, overseeing their financial and operational setup. Managed IFRS and management reporting, and implemented and monitored internal control systems.

Clinic Launch IFRS Management Reporting Internal Controls

Audit Manager

Ernst & Young (EY)

Sep 2004 - Oct 2009 (5 years 1 month)

Managed audit teams of 3-7 people, conducting due diligence and M&A activities. Audited and compiled financial statements in accordance with IFRS and US GAAP for clients across various sectors.

Audit Management Due Diligence M&A IFRS US GAAP Client Management

Deputy Chief Accountant

KAPITAL-D

Apr 2003 - Aug 2004 (1 year 4 months)

Supported the chief accountant in managing financial records and ensuring compliance. Assisted with various accounting tasks and reporting requirements.

Accounting Compliance Reporting

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

K.A. Timiriaziev Academy

Diploma, Economics

Grade: with excellence

Graduated with excellence from the Economics Faculty. Studied a comprehensive curriculum in economics, preparing for a career in finance and business.