Ian R. Stuart - Finance Executive
Cell: 917-612-7046
Email: ian_r_stuart@hotmail.com
Reside: Greater New York City area – NY 10562
Finance executive with a Fortune 100 financial services business unit CFO background, small company operational experience, an international perspective, private-equity-like exposure, and considerable insurance industry exposure. After progressing to the Price Waterhouse partner track, acquired over 13 years of insurance and global banking business unit CFO experience at several Travelers/Citigroup divisions. Subsequent to Citigroup, led a small NASDAQ insurance distribution intermediary and healthcare services provider through a turnaround (concluded by driving the sale of the company). Joined the AIG Internal Audit division in late 2011 – currently hold responsibility for determining Audit’s coverage of the financial reporting risks across the AIG global footprint.
Excel at partnering with business leaders to improve performance and create shareholder value. Examples:
• At Travelers, became a key member of the team that delivered a ten-times increase in earnings, over a seven year period, to $496 million in 1998. Directly contributed to expense control initiatives, the tightening of pricing discipline, and distribution channel expansion.
• At Citigroup, drove initiatives to improve the cost structure and increase revenue – contributed to the Private Bank’s 50% earnings growth, over a two-year period, to $319 million in 2000 and to the realization of $50 million of CitiCapital savings in 2002.
• In 2009, concluded the leadership of a small NASDAQ distribution intermediary through a turnaround with a sale transaction. Prior thereto, sourced $6 million to avert a liquidity crisis, grew revenue 20% to $35 million, cut the prior year $1.7 million EBITDA deficit by 90%, and resolved complex litigation matters.
Senior Managing Director, Internal Audit @ Serve as one of three deputies to the Global Chief Audit Executive. Hold responsibility for leading Audit’s Finance and Corporate Group segments and integrating Audit’s financial reporting coverage across AIG’s global footprint. Role includes close coordination with the senior Corporate Finance executives and the PwC engagement team, interaction with the life and retirement savings and property casualty divisional CFO’s and their respective teams, and monthly reporting to the AIG Audit Committee. From November 2011 to Present (4 years 2 months) Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Interim President/CEO @ Progressed from CFO of a start-up organization to CFO and Interim President/CEO of Access Plans, a small NASDAQ listed healthcare insurance agency and services provider; a boutique PE firm held a substantial minority interest:
• Joined ICM, a start-up holding company, in 4Q04 and steered the insurance agencies to profitability. In 2006, negotiated the terms of a reverse-merger into Access Plans.
• In January 2007, appointed COO of Access Plans.
• Promoted to Interim President/CEO August 2007 after the death of the high-profile CEO; assumed CFO responsibilities during 2008. Completed post-sale responsibilities June 2009.
Access Plans operational accomplishments:
• Averted a liquidity crisis – secured $6M of new funds; renegotiated debt repayment terms.
• Grew 2008 revenue 20% to $35M; reduced prior year $1.7M EBITDA based loss by 90%.
• Acquired a discount card platform 3Q07 – broadened portfolio/improved service capability.
• Supported distribution expansion/product development – both gained national recognition.
• Resolved the complex El Paso legal exposures (arising from 2Q07 Federal investigation of 2004 marketing activity, and then from a 2008 provider dispute) – then sold this TPA subsidiary.
• Created an investor relations strategy and presented at investor conferences. Also revised Form 10-K/10-Q presentation and disclosures (personally certified the SOX 302/906 exhibits).
• In 2008, secured Board approval to change strategic direction – in a challenging M&A environment, identified potential acquirers, negotiated a definitive agreement, and concluded the turnaround by securing a good price for Access Plans shareholders upon execution of a 2Q09 company sale. From October 2004 to June 2009 (4 years 9 months) Citigroup Business Unit CFO @ Held several roles with multi-billion dollar business units operating within complex matrix reporting environments.
2001 to 2004: CFO, CitiCapital (Dallas, TX) – a North American and European commercial loan/leasing unit with $1.3 billion revenue (assets initially exceeded $30 billion). Managed a 130 person team – Dallas, New York, Toronto, London.
• Partnered with business leaders to steer change from a volume focused culture to a profit driven business – implemented standardized reporting metrics for 20+ asset classes; created risk based pricing metrics; developed vintage analysis (“good” vs. “bad” bank reporting).
• Realized $50M of savings in 2002 (34% of earnings) by securing a 50bp cut in fixed rate funding costs with enhanced asset/liability duration analysis, and reducing administrative costs by 15%.
• Strengthened accounting controls – oversaw a ledger conversion, SOX implementation and improved balance sheet reconciliations; reorganized and upgraded the Finance team.
2000 to 2001: Managing Director, Global Corporate & Investment Bank – Reported to the CFO of this New York headquartered division; total assets exceeded $500B.
• Implemented an economic capital model; assessed proposed fee splits; undertook competitor analysis.
1999 to 2000: CFO, Citibank Private Bank (New York, NY) – a global wealth manager with $1.2 billion of revenue (accounts under management exceeded $150 billion). Managed a 100 person team – New York, London, Geneva, Singapore, Tokyo.
• Partnered with business leaders to develop a new strategic direction (included liaison with Smith Barney to cross-sell products and share platforms); undertook financial analysis to drive cost structure efficiencies – 2000 earnings of $319M up 50% from 1998; revenue up 24% in 2-years.
• Jointly led enhancement and global roll-out of new banker incentive compensation model.
• Upgraded caliber of finance team and changed culture to provide pro-active business support. From January 1999 to June 2004 (5 years 6 months) Travelers Business Unit CFO @ CFO, Travelers Life & Annuity – a life insurance subsidiary with $3.0 billion of revenue and assets of $50 billion. Promoted to CFO in 1993. Responsible for SEC filed financials and reporting to the Travelers Life Audit Committee. Managed a 60 person team. Responsible for the financial management of the life and annuity lines of business (and healthcare through exit dates). Also closely interacted with the Travelers property/casualty division and New York parent.
• Key member of the team that drove net income from $50M in 1991 to $500M in 1998 (reflected revenue growth from distribution channel expansion, exercising pricing discipline, expense leverage/productivity gains and turnaround in investment portfolio performance).
• Compiled complex analysis to drive business decisions – e.g. disaggregation of earnings to facilitate comparison to product pricing assumptions; assessing distribution channel profitability.
• Undertook extensive M&A due diligence and transaction analysis.
• Directed/coordinated actuarial related projects – validation of pricing models; asset/liability duration analysis; regulatory capital stress testing analysis; implementation of risk based capital.
• Developed rating agency and equity analyst relationships; coordinated with State regulators.
• Implemented “controllable earnings” concept for each business unit.
• Merged disparate Finance units into a single team; accelerated monthly close from 20 to 5 days. From February 1991 to December 1998 (7 years 11 months) Senior Manager @ Joined the Bermuda office in January 1981; moved to Hartford, CT in July 1985. Significant insurance client engagements included:
• Axa-Midi acquisition due-diligence and Aetna consulting projects.
• CIGNA (HMO and Group Pension) and National Life audit engagements.
• Phoenix Re and Covenant Insurance audit engagements and IPO support; also various Bermuda reinsurers.
Commenced career with Buzzacott & Co., a small London, UK based accounting firm.
Acquired both a Chartered Accountant and Certified Public Accountant designation during the 1980's. From January 1981 to January 1991 (10 years 1 month)
B.S. Equivalent, Accounting @ Hatfield College Ian Stuart is skilled in: Insurance Industry, M&A Execution, Sourcing Funding, Treasury Management, Asset/Liability Duration Analysis, Regulatory Capital Stress Testing, Actuarial Co-Ordination, Pricing Discipline, Cash Flow Focus, P&L Responsibility, Turnaround Execution, Competitor Analysis, Strategic Analysis, Risk Assessment, Forecasting/Modeling/Analytical Acumen