As a team of seasoned Community Enablers, we recognise the complex challenges that businesses face on a daily basis. While we appreciate the need for business owners and management to prioritise cash flow, top-line revenue, and bottom-line Profitability, we firmly believe that attention to People and our Planet is equally vital for the long-term sustainability of any enterprise.
As part of a broader network of Sustainability Consultants and Chartered Accountants, we possess the knowledge and expertise necessary to guide and support your business throughout its entire lifecycle, regardless of its stage or location.
Our commitment to helping businesses achieve sustainable success extends beyond the initial engagement, and we are dedicated to fostering enduring partnerships that empower our clients to thrive in a rapidly-evolving marketplace.
Meet our Leadership Team
Patric Wong, MEng (Oxon), EMBA (Hons), FCA, MICRS
Founder | Principal
Accountancy | Assurance | Business Consulting | Corporate Finance | Executive Development | Outsourced CFO | Project Management | Taxation | Valuations | Trustee
As a highly-driven Consultant, Finance Director, and Fellow of ICAEW (Chartered Accountant), Patric boasts more than two decades of experience across a range of sectors. His career began over 20 years ago, serving as an Equity Research Analyst for a global investment bank before transitioning to a leading consultancy where he worked as an Engineering Consultant.
Throughout his professional journey, Patric has honed his business acumen and commercial skills through positions with both large and medium-sized accountancy practices, as well as in various industries. With his specialist knowledge in the Corporate, Third, and Circular Economy Sectors, Patric possesses a unique understanding of the complex challenges faced by organisations across diverse sectors.
Thanks to his extensive senior leadership experience and proven track record of success, Patric is well-equipped to address the specific needs and challenges of any organisation, from Start-ups to large Public Limited Companies.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Patric is a dedicated husband, father, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, embodying the same passion and commitment to excellence in all areas of his life.
Core Competencies:
Finance Transformation | Financial Performance | Governance & Controls | Risk & Compliance | Stakeholder Management | Strategic Planning | Sustainability Reporting | Tax & Treasury | Visionary Leadership
Sector Expertise:
Education | Engineering | Not-for-Profit | Real Estate | SME | Start-up | Technology
Julian Leslie Akakpo, FCCA, MAAT
Co-founder | Accountancy
Accountancy | Assurance | Taxation | Trustee
Julian is an experienced Certified Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. He started his career in a medium-sized practice in the UK, where he gained invaluable training in his field. Julian then moved on to work in industry as a Financial Accountant, where he developed his expertise in international financial reporting and tax. His experience in this area includes working as an International Financial Accountant.
Ten years ago, Julian returned to practice, where he has been working closely with clients as a business partner, providing effective solutions tailored to their unique needs. His clients and team alike appreciate his ability to inspire confidence and communicate complex accounting and tax rules in everyday language.
Outside of work, Julian is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys spending time at the gym. He also has a passion for boxing, which he pursues in his free time.
Sector Expertise:
Education | Export Trading | Hospitality | Information Technology | Medical | Not-for-Profit | Professional Services | Property | SME
Rakesh Shah, BSc (Hons), ACMA, CGMA
Co-founder | Outsourced CFO
Accountancy | Business Consulting | Executive Development | Finance Transformation | Fundraising | Outsourced CFO | Valuations
Rakesh Shah is a highly experienced Fractional CFO with a passion for helping entrepreneurial businesses grow and scale. With nearly two decades of finance expertise, including six years as the Finance Director of a technology start-up, Rakesh brings a deep understanding of fast-paced business environments and a proven track record of driving growth. Notable achievements include raising £55m over six funding rounds, building a finance function from scratch, facilitating international expansion, and successfully turning around a struggling company, ultimately growing its valuation to £200m.
Rakesh provides hands-on support to Start-ups and SMEs at every stage of their journey, offering services such as financial modelling, fundraising, and implementing efficient systems and processes, whilst continuing to deliver impactful financial strategies and operational improvements.
In his leisure, Rakesh acts as a Mentor at the NatWest Accelerator, guiding UK entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.
Sector Expertise:
Advertising & Marketing | FinTech | LegalTech | Manufacturing | Renewable Energy | Research Services | SME | Start-up | Technology | Utilities
Peng-Li Hong, BCompSc, EMBA
Vice President | Technology Expert
Enterprise Architecture | Transformational Strategy | Business Strategy | Cloud Computing & Technology | Banking & Financial Services | Education & Training | IT Innovation | Strategic Leadership
Peng is an esteemed IT Maven, known for his profound expertise in disruptive technologies, financial services, cloud technology, and educational technology. With a career spanning several years, Peng has established himself as a leading figure in the technology sector. His journey in IT began with a focus on enterprise architecture, quickly expanding to encompass a broad range of tech-focused disciplines.
Throughout his career, Peng has continuously evolved his skills, particularly in Corporate Strategy, Technology Transformation, and Leadership. His tenure at the National Bank of Canada and his Executive MBA have been instrumental in shaping his strategic thinking and leadership capabilities. With a keen eye for innovation and transformation, Peng has played a pivotal role in steering technology strategies towards futuristic and sustainable solutions.
In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Peng’s entrepreneurial spirit sets him apart as a dynamic leader. He is passionately involved in guiding new businesses, leveraging his comprehensive knowledge and commitment to lifelong learning to foster innovation and growth.
Peng’s dedication extends beyond the corporate world into social responsibility. His involvement with GenieLab, a non-profit organization focused on empowering youth and promoting digital literacy, highlights his commitment to using technology for societal benefit. Under his guidance, GenieLab has become a beacon for digital citizenship, advocating for enhanced access to technology and emphasizing STEAM education.
Core Competencies:
Strategic IT Leadership | Innovative Solution Development | Financial and Technological Acumen | Entrepreneurial Mentorship | Social Responsibility in Technology
Sector Expertise:
Banking & Finance | Cloud Computing | Educational Technology | Non-Profit Sector | Start-ups | Technology Leadership
Chiara Coppola, BA (Hons), CIPS
Vice President
Business consulting | Procurement | Project Management
As a Chartered Procurement expert and professional member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, Chiara brings extensive expertise in both public and private procurement to her clients. She specialises in helping organisations achieve best-in-class procurement and contract management practices, deliver sustainable efficiencies, and comply with all relevant legislation.
Through close collaboration with clients and suppliers, Chiara provides hands-on guidance and support throughout the procurement cycle, from initial needs assessments and market analysis, to tendering and contract document preparation, commercial negotiations, and performance management and improvement. With a deep understanding of commercial, risk, and governance considerations, as well as contract law, bidding processes, and corporate social responsibility, Chiara is uniquely positioned to deliver comprehensive support and advice to organisations of all sizes.
Chiara has a particular passion for working in greenfield settings, helping to transform procurement practices and deliver tailored sourcing strategies and plans, cost improvement programs, employee training, and practical knowledge transfer. Her clients benefit from her positive energy, dedication, and commitment to helping organisations achieve their strategic objectives, and she is widely recognized as an ambassador of best practice and a trusted advisor in her field.
Gabriel Mai, B.Soc.Sc. (Hons)
Vice President
Brand Management | Corporate Communication | CX Optimisation | e-Commerce | Marketing
Gabriel is an accomplished Journalist-turned-PR and Corporate Communication Specialist, with more than 16 years of experience in media, communications, and marketing industries. He is an award-winning Digital Marketer in Asia and has served as an advisor to Executive Management Teams and Boards, demonstrating his expertise in providing strategic guidance to drive success for his clients.
Previously, Gabriel held the position of Digital Strategy Director for a leading Hong Kong-focused Parenting Media platform, where he led the formulation and execution of highly effective marketing and communication strategies. His specialties include enhancing SEO, delivering high ROI multi-channel marketing campaigns, optimizing customer experience (CX), and creating or scaling brand value for organisations.
Currently, Gabriel is leading the Corporate Communication function for a well-known NGO in Hong Kong. He brings his extensive experience to bear, formulating and executing communication strategies that drive positive outcomes and enhance stakeholder engagement.
Outside of work, Gabriel is a prolific hip-hop dancer and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) gamer, demonstrating his drive, creativity, and willingness to take on new challenges in all aspects of his life.
Nicole Magnier, BSc (Hons), APM, PMQ
Vice President
Business Consulting | PMO | Project Management | Transformation
Nicole is a highly experienced leader with exceptional interpersonal skills and a proven track record of motivating teams and driving improved programme and project performance through a pragmatic and hands-on approach. Her extensive skills and experience in implementing complex transformation programmes, as well as her diplomacy and stakeholder management skills, have enabled her to successfully deliver high-profile and politically sensitive projects for public bodies, including the Department for Education, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and NHS England.
With more than 20 years of programme and project management experience within both private and public sector consulting, Nicole has led transformation programmes in complex environments and across diverse teams, overseeing multi-million-pound investment initiatives and programmes that provide strong bottom-line value to an organisation’s business model.
During her 12 years as a Management Consultant for one of the world’s largest accounting firms, Nicole developed a versatile set of skills, enabling her to deliver some of the most challenging and high-profile national programmes. Her expertise also includes procurement and re-competition at a national level, which includes designing and implementing the project management structure to support the re-tendering of the UK’s National Lottery, as well as the first-ever national procurement of a 15-year, £100m+ contract for the provision of PPE equipment across 30 Fire and Rescue Authorities.
Nicole’s successes also include the delivery of strategic transformation programmes, turning around failing PMOs, leading statutory consultation on behalf of the Secretary of State, and establishing a new regulatory body, including the governance, control, and risk structures of the organisation. Her ability to deliver in the most challenging and complex environments is due to her exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and outstanding communication skills.
Her sector knowledge and experience cover a wide range of non-profits, public and government bodies, charities, as well as the banking sector.
Nina Griffiths, MSc, ACC Coach (ICF), Fellow IDM
Vice President
Change Consulting | Executive Coaching | Leadership & Team Development
Nina is an accomplished consultant who works closely with leaders and senior teams to drive organisational transformation and help shape their personal futures. With a focus on creating sustainable change, she partners with clients to develop a vision, define objectives and benefits, engage with stakeholders, identify and fill skills gaps, and embed new ways of working.
With a strong background in business and extensive experience leading organisational transformation programmes, Nina brings a people-centred approach to change. Her previous roles in senior commercial positions in international sales, marketing and business development in both private and public sectors have provided her with the skills and knowledge to successfully implement change initiatives that exploit market opportunities, drive operational efficiencies, and instil a positive culture.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Nina enjoys walking and has a passion for music.
Stephen Chan, MEng (Oxon), CFA
Vice President
Business Intelligence | Data Specialist | Finance | Project Management
Stephen is a seasoned banking and finance professional with over 15 years of experience in applying advanced data analytical skills for financial analysis, structuring, and business intelligence. With a strong academic background in engineering and computer science, Stephen stays up to date with the latest trends in data science and has a keen interest in driving business results through innovative data analysis.
Stephen is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Master of Engineering and Computing Science from the University of Oxford, further demonstrating his expertise in the field.
In his leisure time, Stephen enjoys spending quality time with his children and pursuing his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Stuart Wilkins, BA (Hons)
Vice President
Corporate Branding | Business Intelligence | Finance | Investor Relations | Project Management
With a decade of experience in senior finance and strategy roles in the industry, Stuart is an accomplished professional who brings a data-driven and highly analytical approach to problem solving and business design. He is recognised for his exceptional leadership skills and has successfully built and directed high-performing marketing and sales functions for fast-paced start-up environments. Stuart is known for his ability to embrace all challenges and has a wide spectrum of work that his business partners bring to him.
In addition to his work, Stuart is passionate about learning new skills and is currently pursuing his interest in Italian language. When he’s not working or learning, Stuart enjoys spending time with his family.
Mandy Wong, BSc (Hons), Dip. Teaching
Executive | Business Development
Servant Leadership | Strategic Development | Skills Education | Hotel Management | Charity Initiatives
Mandy stands out as a dynamic and result-oriented Business Development Executive, distinguished by her pivotal role in steering rapid business growth throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Her professional journey reflects an unyielding commitment to learning and a passion for tackling novel challenges. Mandy’s diverse career spans an impressive array of sectors, including education, information technology, hotel and event management, media, and philanthropy.
A master in crafting regional strategies, Mandy’s expertise lies in launching innovative products and utilizing market insights and emerging trends to inform critical business decisions. She has a particular flair for the Education and International Business sectors, where her strategies have consistently delivered measurable growth and success.
Mandy’s global outlook is shaped by her extensive travels to over 50 countries, which have honed her skills in cultural adaptability, intelligence, and effective intercultural communication. This global perspective enriches her approach to business development, allowing her to create strategies that are both culturally sensitive and globally informed.
Apart from her professional accolades, Mandy is a person of diverse interests and talents. She is an accomplished organist and pianist, a creative jewellery designer, and a pottery enthusiast, all of which add to her dynamic personality and depth. Her artistic pursuits not only reflect her creative flair but also contribute to her holistic approach in her professional endeavours, making her a multifaceted leader in the field of business development.