Lisa Leport-Symonds

Regional Director Shareholder @X-Pole

Auckland, NZ

X-Pole is the global leader in aerial fitness equipment, with its HO in the UK and offices in: USA, China, Australia, South Africa, Korea, Mexico and Brazil, with smaller distributors in Russia, Singapore and Japan.My role is all encompassing in NZ with my primary responsibilities of business strategy, forecasting and reporting plus training and management of a Sales and Marketing Manager and Accounts Assistant. This has been a fantastic challenge, which utilises my corporate experience and CIMA qualification. The business has been in operation now for +4 years and the addition of new products over that period has really seen a surge of interest in what is the small market of NZ, with 20% turnover growth each year.My role has included- Sole responsibility for establishing the NZ operating company, setting and implementing strategy and establishing wholesale and retail sales programmes including product costing and market analysis- Develop and implement business forecasting and analysis tools, reporting on a regular basis to regional and global executives- Modelling and analysis of ad hoc projects for South African and Australian businesses- Product range selection for NZ, factory ordering, importing and stock management- Statutory requirements, complying with IRD, Companies Office and statutory financial audits- Management of vendor selection to implement a new accounting system- Creation and maintenance of company accounts using accounting software Xero- FX monitoring and analysis to ensure that transactions are optimally cost effective- Recruitment, training and direct management of Sales Manager and Admin Assistant.I thoroughly enjoy being part of the industry and I have been lucky enough to fit it around my children whilst they were babies.

The University of Salford

Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons)

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

ACMA