Interim Chief Financial Officer, Finance & Commercial,
Treasury, Investor Relations
+61 475 804 341
Blake.Ericksen@LeadersOnDemand.com
Blake is dual qualified finance and legal professional and certified organisational coach, recognised by colleagues as a trusted partner, advisor and influencer. He is a highly adaptable and widely experienced executive with a specific focus on finance, treasury, investor relations, legal and commercial roles, having held a range of Group Treasurer and IR head roles with multi-national listed corporates as well as interim CFO roles with PE backed portfolio companies.
Drawing on his broad experience and with a track record of building effective working relationships in a range of cross-cultural environments, Blake provides stability and direction. He has a proven capacity to collaboratively deliver outcomes in high pressure environments, while effectively managing competing interests and business risk. His ability to drive thought-leadership supports strategic objectives and the collaborative achievement of practical results.
Career History
Blake originally trained as a Chartered Accountant, having commenced his professional career directly out of secondary school with KPMG. After qualifying, he spent time working in London's finance industry, structuring and executing financing transactions in support of corporates in turnaround.
After returning to Australia, Blake took the bold decision to return to full-time post graduate study, subsequently qualifying as a lawyer and spending three years practicing across banking, finance, general corporate and energy & resources law with global firm, Allens Linklaters.
Drawing on his combined finance and legal experience, Blake ultimately made the move to the corporate world, working successfully in a variety of cross cultural environments to lead a range of functions, including Finance, Treasury, Investor Relations and commercial management of mine sites. Since joining Leaders on Demand, he's specialised in deployments across finance and commercial (including interim CFO roles).
Leadership Highlights
Executed a board mandated assessment of the financial risk exposures for an ASX 150 industrial, with subsequent development of related strategic objectives, management oversight frameworks, hedging strategies and an approach to enhancing capacity of the company’s treasury function.
As interim-CFO, led the finance team of a PE backed corporate that operates in the carbon farming sector through a transition of ownership. I subsequently delivered process and system changes to support ongoing growth.
Designed and executed on a rolling three-year capital planning process for a dual listed corporate. This facilitated a progressive simplification in the company's multi-billion dollar debt portfolio, strengthened the balance sheet and reduced funding costs.
Developed a comprehensive Shareholder Engagement Framework, optimising the company’s shareholder register and investor relations program to better reflect its strategic direction.
Corporate entity review project that identified and implemented opportunities to centralise global funding and repatriate trapped cash and profits.
Review and restructure of global treasury functions, enhancing automation and cash efficiency.
Multiple refinancing transactions, various roles - lender, legal counsel, borrower.
Qualifications
Juris Doctor (The University of Melbourne), Bachelor of Commerce (The University of Melbourne), Qualified Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law), Diploma of Investor Relations (AIRA), Certified Organisational Coach (IECL Level 1)
Sectors
Mining, Manufacturing, Heavy Industry, Construction, Financial Services, Renewables
Functions
General Management, Commercial, Finance & Treasury, Legal, Investor Relations
Situations
Capital Funding Strategy, Refinancing, Turnaround, Shareholder Engagement, M&A, Cross-cultural and Cross-functional Team Building, Corporate Restructure
Favourite quotes
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” Henry Ford
“You can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed” Napoleon Hill
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... to share knowledge and experience with like-minded professionals. My natural curiosity, combined with a can- do mindset allows me to bridge divides, bring out the best in teams, encourage thought leadership, and deliver outcomes that support continuous improvement and progress”
“When I'm not at work...
... I'm trying my hand at something new in the kitchen, that will hopefully meet with the approval of some fussy children; or doing my best to keep fit with some distance running - great for clearing the mind!”