The company is expected to enter private equity ownership following its separation from a broader group. With revenue in the tens of millions and a team of several hundred employees, the business has a strong market reputation, high levels of customer loyalty and a positive internal culture.
The investment thesis is centred on improving operational efficiency, strengthening commercial performance and increasing margins. While the underlying business is established and its core finance infrastructure is functional, there is a significant opportunity to introduce greater financial visibility, sharper performance management and a more commercially focused operating model.
The value creation plan will initially focus on organic improvement, with the potential to expand the company’s international presence over time. A medium-term strategic sale is anticipated once the business has delivered improved margins, stronger reporting and a more scalable operating platform.
Role Summary
The Board and incoming investors are seeking a hands-on Chief Financial Officer to partner closely with the Managing Partner and support the business through its transition into private equity ownership.
The CFO will inherit a finance function with established systems and processes, including ERP, CRM and business intelligence capabilities. The priority will not be wholesale systems transformation, but rather improving how financial and operational data is used to support decision-making.
This will be a highly commercial and operational role. The CFO will build greater visibility across the business, establish meaningful financial and operational KPIs, strengthen FP&A capabilities and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
The successful candidate will combine the gravitas to operate at Board and investor level with a willingness to remain close to the detail. A structured handover with the incumbent finance leader is expected to support continuity and knowledge transfer.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with the Managing Partner, leadership team and private equity investors to develop and execute the value creation plan
- Build a detailed understanding of business performance, including revenue, profitability, utilisation, project economics and resource deployment
- Strengthen FP&A capabilities, including budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and performance analysis
- Explore opportunities to use technology, automation, data and AI to improve productivity and reduce unnecessary complexity
- Challenge existing working practices and help remove processes or controls that restrict effective decision-making
- Support the development of the company’s international growth strategy, including the potential establishment of overseas operations
- Develop the finance team, ensuring that the function has the appropriate structure and capabilities for the next phase of growth
- Prepare the business for a future strategic exit by improving data quality, earnings visibility and overall operational readiness
Candidate Profile – Must have
- Must be immediately available or very short notice
- Proven CFO experience in Private Equity environments
- Experience within a Professional Services business
- Strong FP&A foundations, with the ability to translate financial and operational data into clear commercial insight
- Hands-on and detail-oriented, with the willingness to work closely with the finance team and wider business
- Experience using technology, automation or AI to improve processes and productivity would be advantageous
- Experienced in supporting cultural and organisational change, particularly within businesses moving towards a more performance-led environment
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification preferred