CFO Recruitment for Private Equity
At Finatal, we’ve carved out a niche as a leading recruitment firm specialising in placing CFOs within private equity-backed businesses.
About the practice
CFO Leadership Across the Private Equity Investment Cycle
Recruiting a CFO for a private equity-backed business means looking beyond financial management. The CFO must connect day-to-day performance with the investment plan, giving the CEO, board and investors a clear view of progress, risks and priorities.
Value Creation
The CFO turns the investment plan into financial and operational priorities. That means understanding the drivers of revenue, margin and cash, strengthening forecasts and helping management make informed decisions throughout the ownership period.
Cultural Fit
Technical ability is only part of the brief. A CFO must work effectively with the CEO, management team and investors, balancing constructive challenge with practical support. Our assessments consider cultural fit alongside experience and capability.
Over 15 Years of Experience
With over 15 years of experience, we understand the challenges private equity firms face and the contribution a strong CFO can make. We consider the business’s needs, investment stage and long-term objectives when assessing candidates.
Our Private Equity CFO Recruitment Network
Our network and sector knowledge support CFO searches across technology, healthcare, consumer goods and other industries.
We consider the business’s scale, ownership structure and investment priorities to identify relevant experience, whether the requirement centres on growth, transformation or preparing for an exit.
Each search reflects the demands of the role: the pace of change, the relationship with investors and the finance capability needed for the next stage of the investment.
What Differentiates a PE-Backed CFO
Not every experienced CFO translates effectively into a private equity environment. What matters is how they apply technical strength and commercial judgement under pressure, with a clear understanding of how value is created and realised.
Many of the CFOs we place have worked through multiple hold cycles, from acquisition and integration to growth and exit. They turn financial information into decisions that move the investment plan forward. They are comfortable with leverage, refinancing and complex capital structures, where finance choices are closely linked to investor outcomes.
They bring credibility with boards, investors and lenders, building confidence in both the numbers and the narrative. Just as importantly, they take ownership, step into operational detail when needed and act quickly on risks and opportunities. An understanding of what good looks like at exit keeps their focus on outcomes throughout the hold period.
The right CFO appointment depends on the deal, the business and the stage of the investment. Talk to our team about the finance leadership your business needs now and through to exit.
A focused search
Our Approach to CFO Search
A private equity CFO hire is a risk decision with material implications for performance and exit. We reduce that risk by assessing candidates against the specific investment, business and challenges they will face.
Private capital focus
We work within private capital CFO talent pools, looking for relevant experience in PE-backed or similarly demanding environments.
Evidence of delivery
We prioritise repeatable outcomes in comparable situations over title or tenure, assessing how candidates delivered against an investment plan.
Search to suit the mandate
Focused, high-conviction searches target a select group of candidates. We support retained CFO appointments and interim placements when timing is compressed.
Track Record
For both permanent and interim assignments, we fuse our extensive expertise and broad network to match the strong candidates with the businesses that complement their ambitions.
View More
“For a business at Finally’s stage, the CFO hire is critical. Finatal ran a disciplined process and demonstrated a strong understanding of the type of finance leader required to support a growth-stage platform backed by institutional investors.
They brought forward candidates who combined the right operational experience with the ability to operate effectively in a sponsor-backed environment, and ultimately helped us identify a CFO well suited for the company’s next phase.”
CFO Recruitment
Our UK & Europe CFO Team
Jack Lane
Managing Director
UK – London
Ishtah Kadel
Partner & Head of Europe
UK – London
Jamie Irwin
Partner
UK – London
Achim Knobelspies
Principal
Europe – Frankfurt
Tom Johnstone
Associate Partner
UK – London
Owen Roberts
Principal
UK – London
Raphael Henkes
Principal
Europe – Frankfurt
George Deacon
Consultant
UK – London
Isabella Harris
Principal Associate
UK – London
Christopher Rabis
Senior Associate
UK – London
Konstantin Stubben
Associate
Europe – Frankfurt
Siobhan Board
Associate
UK – London
FAQs
What types of CFO roles does Finatal recruit for?
We recruit Chief Financial Officers for private equity funds and portfolio businesses, covering permanent, interim, and fractional requirements depending on the stage of the investment cycle.
Why is a CFO so important in private equity?
In PE-backed businesses, a CFO goes beyond financial control. They provide strategic leadership, drive value creation, manage debt and refinancing, and prepare the business for exit — making them central to investment success.
Do you recruit CFOs for both funds and portfolio companies?
Yes. We work with private equity funds to strengthen their in-house leadership teams and with portfolio companies to appoint CFOs who can deliver growth, operational improvements, and investor confidence.
Can you provide interim CFOs as well as permanent hires?
Absolutely. We place permanent CFOs to support long-term strategies, but also interim leaders who can step in during transactions, turnarounds, or periods of change.
Explore Interim CFO & Finance Leadership ↗What experience do your CFO candidates bring?
Our network includes seasoned CFOs from private equity-backed companies, high-growth businesses, and corporate backgrounds. Many have track records in delivering operational improvements, M&A, refinancing, and successful exits.
How quickly can Finatal deliver a shortlist of CFO candidates?
Because we specialise solely in private capital, we can provide targeted CFO shortlists quickly — often within weeks for permanent searches and within days for interim placements.
What makes Finatal the right choice for CFO recruitment?
We combine deep private equity expertise with a global network of senior finance leaders. Our candidates bring both technical excellence and commercial acumen, ensuring they can deliver value from day one.