JAMES WITHERS – DIRECTOR OF GROUP FINANCE AT BURGER KING UK
Career Overview
After leaving university I joined KPMG’s audit practice, based in the Gatwick office and working across a range of middle market clients. I left KPMG shortly after completing my ACA qualification and joined 3i Group plc as a Group Reporting Accountant. I worked for 3i for 6.5 years across several roles, progressing to become Group Financial Controls Manager and then Senior Group Financial Reporting Manager.
After leaving 3i, I joined EFG Private Bank, where I worked for 2 years as Financial Controller. I then joined my current employer, BKUK Group Ltd (Burger King UK) in January 2022, initially as Head of Finance, before progressing to Director of Group Finance in September 2023.
Tell us about yourself and your background in finance?
I’m currently Director of Group Finance at BKUK Group (Burger King UK), with responsibility for Financial Reporting, Tax, Transactions and Payroll, as well as oversight of Risk. I originally trained in audit with KPMG, before working in several finance roles in Financial Services, covering areas such as internal and external reporting, financial control, budgeting and forecasting etc.
I have a passion for the hospitality industry and therefore when the opportunity arose to join BK it was an easy decision and to date the role has been everything I expected: interesting, challenging and rewarding.
How did you progress in your career to become the Director of Group Finance?
I have never previously put too much focus on long term career planning (although I am trying to focus more on it now). I have instead focussed on learning and being as successful as possible in my current role, while taking opportunities for progression (either in responsibilities or role) whenever they have presented themselves. I have also looked to move role when I felt the opportunities for future learning and development were no longer there, or when I felt I could benefit from broadening my experience.
Describe your experience of transitioning from the financial services sector to the consumer sector?
There has been a lot to learn (as expected), in particular regarding key performance metrics and terminology etc. However the fundamental skills of analysing, understanding and presenting financial information, as well as leading a team, have been very transferrable.
One of the elements I have particularly enjoyed is that I have much more scope to actively influence business operations and performance than I had in financial services.
How has your current business incorporated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives into its operations?
We have a specific responsible business strategy, “Burger King for Good” which sets out our goals and commitments across five pillars: Good for the planet, Animal welfare, Good for our people, Good for our communities and Good for guests. This includes ambitious goals to reduce our carbon footprint, which we are actively pursuing through engaging with our supply chain, our energy sourcing and energy efficiency initiatives. We have a Responsible Business team who work closely with stakeholders across the business to ensure our strategy is embedded throughout our operations and decision making.
If you had any advice to future finance leaders in regard to doing a group reporting role, what would that be?
Learn as much as you can about the business you work for and understand the requirements of the recipients / users of the reporting and information being produced (whether internal or external). Make sure you understand the information you are producing and ask questions as needed, if you don’t ask the questions it is likely someone else will!
How would you describe your partnership with Partner Executive?
Lilian at Partner Executive recruited me for my current role at BK. It was a pleasure working with her and since then we have kept in contact and she has provided helpful insight and career advice.
