Gerard Milligan

Chief of Staff & HR Leader
20 Newton Road, 307953, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

About

Highly accomplished Chief of Staff and HR leader with over 20 years of experience driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and building high-performing teams across fast-growing start-ups and global organizations in Asia, UAE, and Europe. Proven ability to deliver significant value by optimizing processes, implementing strategic initiatives, and enhancing organizational effectiveness, consistently exceeding business outcomes and achieving substantial financial and operational improvements.

Work

Confidential Advisory Business
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Chief of Staff

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Summary

Currently serving as Chief of Staff for a confidential advisory business, overseeing business outcomes across projects, productivity, people, and processes for multiple global entities.

Highlights

Acted as interim CHRO, defining organizational charts across 4 businesses and developing a 3-year resourcing plan with a comprehensive budget.

Developed and rolled out ADGM-compliant employee contracts, defined job descriptions and KPIs from Analyst to Director level, and established a performance review structure.

Led a 4-day GTM workshop for international staff (UAE, UK, Australia, Switzerland, Israel), resulting in a 90-day actionable plan for each key business line.

Spearheaded strategic initiatives including CAT3C license application, onshore family office setup, partnership programs, and the re-launch of the advisory business.

Optimized internal processes by setting C-suite and business head cadences, implementing automation tools, establishing KPIs, and managing expenses and cash flow.

Caledonia Resources Pte Ltd
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CEO & Chief of Staff

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Led Caledonia Resources, a consultancy specializing in Chief of Staff services across Singapore and the UAE, driving strategic projects and growth initiatives for CxOs.

Highlights

Directed HR transformation and strategic planning for a LiveCommerce Analytics client, implementing an ATS and restructuring the organization to define a clear target operating model and comprehensive talent strategy.

Developed a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan for a major GCC environmental firm with 16,000+ associates, enhancing market positioning and securing long-term financial sustainability through PESTL analysis and competitor benchmarking.

Achieved a 32% increase in revenue in 2023 for a cargo trading business and projected a 50%+ increase over two years by optimizing operations, stakeholder management, and talent strategy, including a 30% reduction in time-to-hire.

Provided interim COO services for a CAT4 licensed finance firm, streamlining multi-jurisdictional operations, establishing robust compliance frameworks, and enhancing operational efficiency across global offices.

Implemented a compliant framework that aligned HR, financial, and legal processes with local and international standards, mitigating regulatory risk and optimizing corporate governance for a global finance firm.

Analytix Labs Pte Ltd
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Investor/Advisor

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Provided advisory services on people and operational matters for Analytix Labs, a growing consultancy specializing in big data, artificial intelligence, and deep machine learning.

Highlights

Engaged in an advisory capacity on people and operational matters, contributing to the strategic growth of a big data, AI, and machine learning consultancy.

Sing Fuels Pte Ltd
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Chief of Staff

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Served as Chief of Staff for a group of 5 companies across 9 countries with over $500M USD in revenue, overseeing projects, productivity, people, and processes.

Highlights

Restructured the organizational chart for the global bunker trading business, creating a more cost-effective and efficient structure.

Digitized the HR function by implementing a new ATS system, which reduced hiring time by over 35% and increased retention by 22%.

Managed the acquisition of a Greek broker and led the setup of a new UAE Lubricants business, including incorporation, business plan, and team resourcing.

Negotiated an XM USD Sprint deal with McKinsey for a FinTech build, securing an x00k discount, and managed a JV deal for a Tech business in South Africa with $30M USD turnover.

Restructured and chaired EXCO meetings, improving C-Suite decision-making efficiency, and rolled out a RACI framework across business lines, significantly increasing accountability and project delivery within required timeframes.

Phaidon International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
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Country Manager

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Led day-to-day operations for a team of 50 with 8 direct reports, holding full P&L responsibility for the Singapore operations.

Highlights

Increased EBITDA by over 20% year-over-year, transforming the business from breakeven in 2016 to significant profitability.

Chandler Macleod (CMG)
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Country Head / President Director

Jakarta, Indonesia

Summary

Held full P&L responsibility for a $30M USD business with a payroll headcount of over 1400 resources at an ASX listed company acquired for 290M AUD.

Highlights

Managed a $30M USD business with over 1400 resources, overseeing full P&L and governance for an ASX listed company.

Randstad Pte Ltd
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Client Solutions Director

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Established the Client Solutions function, built and led a team of Client Solutions Directors, and managed key accounts for Randstad Singapore.

Highlights

Increased Gross Profit (GP) by 63% for key accounts by setting up and leading the Client Solutions function.

Successfully won and grew Randstad Singapore's largest client, a Fortune 400 IT company.

Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd
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Head of Banking, Professional Staffing

Singapore, Singapore

Summary

Managed P&L responsibility and team operations across sales and administration for the Banking, Professional Staffing division.

Highlights

Managed P&L and team operations, ensuring effective sales and administration for the Banking, Professional Staffing sector.

Silicon Avenue Technologies Ltd
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Head of Business Development

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Summary

Promoted a propensity modeling tool and a portfolio and risk management system to European hedge funds and private equity groups.

Highlights

Successfully promoted a SAS Technology-based propensity modeling tool and a portfolio/risk management system to European hedge funds and private equity groups.

Morgan Kim Milligan Ltd
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Co-Founder - Director

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Summary

Co-founded and directed a specialist recruitment firm, Morgan Kim Milligan (MKM), focusing on Derivatives IT, Prime Services, and the Hedge Fund sector.

Highlights

Achieved a peak annual turnover of approximately £4M between 2006-2008 as Co-Founder and Director.

CitiElite Resources Ltd
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Research Team Leader

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Summary

Led a research team focused on recruitment within CitiElite Resources Ltd.

Highlights

Managed and directed a research team, contributing to recruitment efforts within the financial sector.

Fairline Distribution
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Technical Sales Consultant

Maidstone, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Summary

Provided technical sales consultation for Fairline Distribution.

Highlights

Provided expert technical sales consultation, contributing to product distribution.

Education

St Simon Stock School
Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

'A' Levels

Business Studies, English Literature

Languages

English

Native

Skills

Leadership & Management

Chief of Staff, CEO, Country Manager, Executive Leadership, Team Leadership, P&L Management, Stakeholder Management, Cross-functional Collaboration, Organizational Development, Interim Management.

Strategic Planning & Execution

Strategic Planning, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy, Business Development, Market Positioning, Resource Allocation, Financial Projections, Actionable Roadmaps, Strategic Initiatives, M&A Integration, Partnership Development.

Human Resources

HR Transformation, Talent Strategy, Resourcing Planning, Organizational Charting, Employee Contracts, Job Descriptions, KPI Definition, Recruitment, Onboarding, Performance Review Systems, ATS Implementation, Employee Retention.

Operations & Process Improvement

Operational Excellence, Process Optimization, Workflow Automation, Regulatory Compliance, Internal Process Review, Cash Flow Management, Expense Monitoring, RACI Framework, SOP Development, CRM Setup, Corporate Governance.

Financial Management

P&L Responsibility, EBITDA Growth, Financial Sustainability, Budgeting, Investment Planning, Revenue Generation, Cost Savings.

Consulting & Advisory

Advisory Services, Client Solutions, Business Analysis, Market Research, Competitor Benchmarking, Problem Solving, Strategic Insights.

Technology & Data

ATS (Applicant Tracking System), Bitrix24 (CRM), SAS Technology, Propensity Modeling, Portfolio & Risk Management Systems, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning.