Neelkantha
Neelkantha
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    • My Story
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  • Home
  • My Story
  • My Career
  • About Neelkantha
  • Testimonials
  • Contact me

Professional Credentials

Executive Experience

 With over three decades in senior leadership, I have held executive roles across complex, fast-evolving organisations—leading transformation, driving financial resilience, and aligning business strategy with long-term value creation.


Chief Financial Officer

Global and Regional Organisations | Over 15 Years
As CFO, I have overseen all aspects of financial management, including treasury, governance, investor relations, FP&A, operations, HR, and IT. I’ve built and led diverse, cross-functional teams, consistently delivering strong commercial outcomes while navigating complexity and change.

Highlights include:

  • Leading businesses through major economic crises, including the global financial crash and COVID-19
  • Securing over £1 billion in debt financing, including sustainability-linked loans
  • Driving finance transformation initiatives that enhanced agility, insight, and operatianal integration
  • Embedding ESG principles into financial and strategic planning
  • Building high-performing finance teams and mentoring future leaders
     

Board & Governance Roles

Non-Executive Director | Advisory Board Member
I have contributed at board level to several NGOs, charities, and mission-led organisations, bringing financial discipline, governance expertise, and purpose-driven leadership to social and environmental causes.


Strategic Partner to the C-Suite

I work closely with CEOs, COOs, and boards to link financial strategy with enterprise-wide transformation—supporting M&A, digital initiatives, ESG frameworks, and organisational culture shifts.

Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur and angel investor in Tanzania, I founded ElimuMatokeo to help transform education and create a brighter future for every learner in the country.

My passion for ElimuMatokeo is deeply personal. Having had the opportunity to move to the UK, I’ve often reflected on why I was given that chance — and how I can give back. Across my travels in Tanzania, one concern repeatedly surfaced: the quality of education.


ElimuMatokeo was born from that intersection — of gratitude, purpose, and a desire to make a lasting impact. Our mission is clear: to improve educational outcomes for children across Tanzania, so that every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

Non-Executive Director

I currently serve as Chairman of the Board for Reforest Africa, an organisation dedicated to environmental regeneration and climate resilience. I’m also a proud member of NEDonBoard, the Institute of Board Members — the professional body for non-executive directors and board members in the UK.

I’m committed to continuing my journey in non-executive and advisory roles where I can contribute meaningfully — particularly in organisations focused on human impact, environmental sustainability, and purpose-driven transformation.

Shiva devotee

 As a disciple of Shiva, I believe the timeless lessons embodied in his character are powerful guides for cultivating effective and conscious leadership.

This coaching approach invites individuals to explore their inner beliefs and values, helping them align their personal and professional lives with integrity and purpose. At the heart of Shiva’s essence is integrity — a deep-rooted commitment to truth, justice, and fairness. His actions reflect unwavering clarity and balance, offering a blueprint for leaders navigating complex and unpredictable environments.

By drawing inspiration from Shiva’s multifaceted nature, leaders can develop essential qualities such as resilience, innovation, and courage. Each facet of his character offers profound insights for those seeking not just success, but meaningful, value-driven impact.

In today’s dynamic business landscape, embracing these principles helps leaders move beyond conventional decision-making — guiding their teams with authenticity, strength, and vision.

Sustainability Entrepreneur and Advisor

 Businesses are increasingly recognising the operational and financial risks posed by sustainability challenges. As an advisor and investor in Empower ESG, I support its mission to demystify ESG through high-quality professional training — helping organisations build knowledge, confidence, and accountability in this critical area.

I’m actively engaged in the sustainability space, combining my background in executive leadership with a deep personal commitment to responsible business. Through coaching, I work with senior executives and sustainability professionals to navigate these uncharted waters with clarity, courage, and strategy.

As a COO and CFO, I’ve been at the heart of sustainability since 2016, when I arranged a Lloyds Bank Green Investment Facility — an early step in my journey. In 2024, I completed the Business Sustainability Management and Sustainable Finance certifications from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

Mental Health Crisis

I experienced a nervous breakdown while serving as a CFO, brought on by chronic overwork and burnout. I came dangerously close to causing serious harm to myself — a turning point that reshaped how I view leadership, success, and wellbeing.

That experience became the catalyst for my commitment to help others facing similar struggles.

Through supportive coaching, I guide leaders in developing balance, emotional resilience, and sustainable ways of working. My approach is grounded in positive psychology, focusing on cultivating a healthier relationship with stress, building strong emotional foundations, and rediscovering meaning and connection in both life and work.

This work is personal. I know how isolating burnout can feel — and I know that with the right support, it's possible to move from survival to genuine, values-driven leadership

Experience to date

Career Summary

Neelkantha: Founder and Managing Director

Empower ESG:  Founder and Director

Elimumatokeo TZ: Founder and Chairman

Reforest Africa: Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Commercial Estates Group: Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer

Knaphill Federation of Schools: Governor

Potential Plus UK: Trustee

BNP Paribas Real Estate: Finance Director

Parity For Disability: Trustee

Affinion International (PE Backed): Finance Director 

Virgin Media: Multiple Financial Controller roles including treasury

Harrods: Head of Management Accounts 

BSkyB: Multiple finance roles including treasury

Functional experience

COO/CFO/NED, relationship management, sustainability strategy, financial and operations management, capital raising and allocation, banking and treasury, systems development, procurement, organisational change projects, finance transformation, change management, IT and HR 

Specific Sector experience

Real Estate, Education, Education, Facilities Management, Construction, Professional Services, Retail, Financial Services, Education, Media, Telecoms and Broadband, NGO, Charity

Qualifications

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (FCMA)

Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (FCT)

(BA Hons) in Accounting and Financial Management 

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership(CISL) Business Sustainability Management and Sustainable Finance certifications. 

International Coaching Federation (ICF) Coaching Education

Member of NEDonBoard, Institute of Board Members 

Membership of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Membership of the Association for Coaching.

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