I’m Mike Haywood, an experienced finance professional with a strong background in internal controls, risk management, finance, and business continuity planning. Over the years, I’ve worked with organisations of all sizes, helping them implement robust yet practical control frameworks that protect their business without slowing it down. Crucially I focus on balancing the need to be well controlled with the need to continue running a profitable business.

I understand first-hand how frustrating it can be to pay for expensive consultants who deliver generic solutions, suggesting retrospective ‘checks and reviews’ to find out where something has gone wrong. That’s why I focus on providing tailored, actionable advice that makes a real difference – whether it’s strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance, or building a business continuity plan that actually works when it’s needed most, including stopping things going wrong in the first place.

My experience spans managing internal control environments for multiple divisions of a FTSE 100 business, coordinating business continuity plans across multiple sites and businesses, and working on process improvement projects that save time and reduce risk. I’ve also been on both sides of Internal Audit both as auditor and auditee, and work closely with auditors and regulatory teams to ensure reporting is accurate, controls are efficient, and compliance requirements are met without unnecessary complexity.

My approach combines technical expertise with a pragmatic mindset: I aim to help businesses operate efficiently, confidently, and securely. I’m passionate about demystifying complex processes so that control and continuity become part of everyday business, adding real tangible value, rather than being a boring compliance checkbox.

Outside of work, I enjoy walking out in the hills near my home, acting childish with my children, and playing video games.