TEAM FOCUS: RISK ADVISORY SERVICES
“It obviously highlighted the key risk areas for us,” she says. “But our Board is very forward thinking in terms of long-term decision making, so is always discussing proposals for new business, capital expenditure, going concern, the job security of our employees, and so forth. So I think we reacted well to COVID-19 and quickly moved to the final Realise phase of the Rethink model.” BDO provides external audit services to IMGroup as well as M&A support, most recently with a major parts and service businesss acquisition. Shareen is also signed up to BDO’s quarterly virtual forum organised with Michael Page, and which is led by Jon Lanes. She is still a good contact of Tim Foster, as well as other former colleagues. “I’m regularly in touch with members of my old team at BDO, either by text, social media or phone calls,” Shareen says. “We still have good relationships. Every time I catch up with the RAS team, it’s grown more and more.”
In creating create COVID-safe procedures and guidance for employees. We developed a 32-page guide for staff. It was a challenging time, but we got through it. We reopened our offices in Solihull in June 2020.” Since joining IMGroup, Shareen has added an insurance role to her brief. She has also been heavily involved in developing and rolling out a contracts management system for the automotive business. She reports regularly to the board on key risks, such a cyber and business continuity. Formal business continuity plans are to be developed for each site. “The next step is to roll out a formal risk management system,” Shareen says. “The board is on top of risk policy and risk appetite, so we just need to formalise and document it.” She also spends time addressing any issues that arise, such as data breaches and subject access requests. She is driving and embedding legal and regulatory compliance within the business, as well as reviewing processes and enhancing controls.
Despite thoroughly enjoying her time at BDO, the demands of a young family and desire to avoid weekend working prompted a move to industry. So in April 2020, Shareen joined IMGroup as Head of Risk & Governance and Data Protection Officer. With roots stretching back to 1976 and owned by founder Lord Edmiston, IM Group companies operate in various markets, including automotive, property and finance. There is also the charitable Grace Foundation, which aims to transform young people’s lives through holistic education. “I joined IMGroup smack bang in the middle of lockdown,” Shareen says. “One of the first things I was tasked with was to assist in developing the COVID-19 safe return to work practices. We needed to be on top of our procedures and risk assessments, including escalation processes if we had an outbreak. I had to go to our different sites to help come up with good solutions.
Shareen is thoroughly enjoying her work. “It’s such a varied role,” she says.
BDO’s Rethink model developed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying key stages, issues and opportunities for businesses, has been of interest to Shareen. rest of my life. But my job is different every single day.” “There’s lots to keep me engaged. My key concern, moving into industry, was that I’d be sitting at my desk doing GDPR and risk management for the
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