Employee Profile: Donatis Briedis
Meet Don – Financial Controller at ODGroup
From Junior Finance Assistant to Financial Controller, Don’s career at ODGroup has been all about steady progress and hard work paying off. He joined the business in 2016shortly after leaving university, and quickly started building his finance know-how through a mix of hands-on experience and professional study.
Since then, he’s taken on more and more responsibility, and now, as Financial Controller, Don plays a big role in keeping ODGroup’s finances running smoothly day-to-day while also making sure the business is set up for long-term stability.
“This journey has been both rewarding and instrumental in shaping my professional development, and it’s the support from my team that’s made it possible.”
Donatas Briedis, Finance Manager at ODGroup
What Don does day-to-day.
Don looks after ODGroup’s financial operations, from making sure all statutory payments like VAT are covered, to managing supply chain payments and keeping a close eye on cash flow.
On top of that, he prepares monthly management accounts that give the board the insights they need to make smart, strategic decisions.
He also thrives on the challenge of reconciling accounts, while challenging, the satisfaction of resolving them is rewarding and makes the effort worthwhile.
Favourite part of the job
For Don, it’s not just about numbers, it’s about people too. He really values being part of a strong finance team where collaboration and support come naturally.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with a consistently strong and supportive finance team. While we’ve welcomed some new team members recently, the core team remains incredibly knowledgeable and collaborative. I’ve learned a great deal from each individual as well as from our collective efforts.”
Key milestone: Annual audits
One of Don’s biggest responsibilities is securing sign-off on ODGroup’s annual audits. They’re not just an internal task—they’re filed with Companies House for public record, making them a key marker of the company’s financial integrity.
“For me, it’s about more than ticking boxes—it’s about demonstrating that our finances are transparent, accurate, and resilient. Once that sign-off comes through, it’s a moment of real pride for the whole team.”
Proudest achievement
Without a doubt, Don’s proudest moment so far has been being promoted to Financial Controller. It was the culmination of years of learning, passing professional exams, and pushing through the challenges of the COVID years – all of which built his confidence and proved what he’s capable of.
“Being promoted to Financial Controller has now become the highlight of my career. When I first joined, I never imagined I would reach this position, but the dedication and hard work I put in, particularly during the challenging COVID period, allowed me to grow significantly in my role.”
What drives Don
Don is motivated by three things: personal growth, the sense of achievement that comes from solving challenges, and the daily social interaction of working as part of a strong, close-knit finance team.
Beyond the numbers
Don’s story began long before ODGroup. At the age of nine, he moved from Lithuania to the UK without speaking a word of English, a challenge that shaped his resilience and adaptability.
Outside of work, he’s passionate about sports, both playing and spectating, a lifelong hobby that gives him balance away from spreadsheets.
Don’s journey from a graduate role to senior leadership is something he can be really proud of. With his work ethic, natural knack for numbers, and team-first attitude, Don’s not just a safe pair of hands in finance—he’s a real asset to ODGroup and someone the whole Finance team is lucky to have.
