Group CFO

Gary Chaplin; England; On-site; GBP 200,000 - 250,000

Job description

£200-250,000 plus package & bonus

This is an exceptional and career-defining opportunity to join one of the nation’s most innovative business and consumer services groups in a highly influential role at a pivotal moment in its history.

Celebrating 20 years of success, the company continues to lead its unique marketplace, delivering invaluable services while collaborating with clients on a continuous path of improvement and innovation.

Distinguishing itself through its independence, the company offers bespoke solutions via a highly skilled and dedicated team, ensuring swift resolutions while maximizing value for both clients and consumers. This commitment to excellence is underpinned by a strong ethos of humility, integrity, and passion for their work.

Replicating that human-focus internally, the company has fostered a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced environment, offering significant opportunities for career advancement. They remain committed to cultivating this culture for the personal and professional development of all employees.

This energising and innovative culture is continuously nurtured by every team member, driving the company’s long-term growth and prosperity. With an enviable reputation in highly regulated industries, they have earned significant recognition for their services, gaining the trust of both clients and consumers through their objectivity and dedication to excellence.

With two decades of achievements and award wins, the company has set itself apart from competitors. Demand for its services continues to rise, as does the capability of its product and service offerings. Their relentless drive to innovate ensures they remain ahead of the curve, positioning them for an even brighter future.

Recent diversification initiatives have fuelled impressive growth, with a 45% increase in the last year alone.

As a result of this exciting evolution, the company is seeking an experienced, strategically-minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This newly created role, reporting directly to the Group CEO, will serve as a trusted advisor and key partner, with the potential to become the CEO’s successor in the medium term. The CFO will be instrumental in leading the company’s finance, commercial, and operational strategy, ensuring continued success and growth.

The appointee’s key purpose will be to drive sustainable growth by ensuring robust financial health, overseeing accurate financial reporting, and implementing strategic financial plans that align with investor expectations. Taking a key role in future mergers and acquisitions to integrate new assets efficiently, streamline operations to maximise profitability, and foster collaboration between all stakeholders.

Specific responsibility for strategic direction, financial performance, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the finance team, and generally ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to the group.

A key focus on cash management, investments, insurance, budgeting, and financial reporting, as well as helping to drive the group’s financial strategy and business needs. Coordinate and lead the development of annual operating, capital, and program budgets, as well as reporting for the same. Ensure cash flow is compatible with operations by overseeing day-to-day accounting, recording, reporting, and internal-control activities of the Group. Complying with all financial legislation (existing and upcoming).

They will furthermore play a vital role in risk management, compliance, and securing the business's adaptability and scalability to support ongoing expansion and meet the strategic objectives of the investment partners.

This is a strategic leadership role. It requires an experienced professional who couples astute senior finance leadership exposure with outstanding operational capability but also a strategic thinker with a track record of driving insight; a ‘do-er’, who can think of the bigger picture and bigger message, not only prepared to roll up their sleeves to get the job done, but will actively enjoy doing so.

The successful candidate will demonstrably be a team player with a can-do attitude and the ability to work across all aspects of the group.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership:

1. Work and collaborate closely with the CEO and executive team to develop, refine, and execute the company’s growth strategy.
2. Drive strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, new market entries, and transformative projects.
3. Act as a strategic advisor to the Board and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment on strategic goals.

Financial Management:

1. Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial analysis, and reporting.
2. Lead the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) function to create insightful data that informs strategic decision-making.
3. Optimise the capital structure and manage relationships with investors, banks, and financial partners.
4. Implement rigorous financial controls, policies, and systems to safeguard company assets and maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Support Services:

• Risk
• Governance
• IT
• Continuous Improvement
• Software division

Growth and Expansion:

1. Work strategically with the CEO and Group Strategy Director to assess growth opportunities through strategic partnerships, acquisitions, or organic expansion.
2. Champion the creation and rollout of new products or services, ensuring they align with financial and operational capabilities.

Team Development and Culture:

1. Foster a high-performance culture within the finance and operations teams, mentoring and developing future leaders.
2. Act as a change agent, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational agility.
3. Lead with a people-first mindset, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across all functions.

Person Specification

As with all leadership appointments in this highly people-centric Group, cultural fit and alignment with the company’s values are paramount, and this is especially true for this critical leadership position. In a fast-paced, innovative, and entrepreneurial environment, the right attitude is just as important as experience. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the tone, energy, and culture of the business, with success hinging on the ability to bring the right mindset, supported by proven experience.

Ideal candidates will be accomplished, C-level finance leaders with substantial board-level exposure in a service sector-oriented business; exposure to funding and/or Private Equity-backed business would be additionally attractive. Whether currently serving as a Group CFO or leading a significant division within a larger organisation, they will have a demonstrated track record of overseeing the full finance function while working closely in partnership with the Group CEO.

In addition to world-class finance leadership, the successful candidate will have a proven ability to drive business growth while maintaining a broad operational perspective and strong people-centric leadership. They will be a hands-on leader who leads from the front, inspiring and motivating teams, and ensuring operational excellence across all areas of the business.

In this dynamic, consumer-focused organization, adaptability and agility are essential, as the business thrives on constant innovation and driving commercial success. The successful candidate will bring a strategic mindset, coupled with a practical "doer" approach—focused on driving results, fostering collaboration, and engaging teams to deliver on ambitious goals.

Skills & Experience Required:

1. Qualification:ACA/ACMA/ACCA with at least 20 years PQE.
2. Experience:Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible financial and operational leadership experience, ideally within high-growth, service sector organisations. Previous CFO, COO, or senior executive roles with a track record of strategic, hands-on involvement in scaling a business.
3. Commercial Acumen:Demonstrated expertise in driving growth, commercial performance, and leading complex strategic initiatives. Strong stakeholder relationship skills with experience in M&A activities and contract management and advantage.
4. Operational Expertise:Proven ability to streamline processes, implement operational efficiencies, and manage multi-disciplinary teams across various group business functions.
5. Financial Acumen:Deep understanding of financial modelling, reporting, and compliance, with a strong grasp of advanced financial systems and analytics tools.
6. Transformative Leadership:Visionary yet pragmatic and personable, capable of steering an organisation through high growth, transformation, and periods of rapid change.
7. Stakeholder Management:Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with board members, investors, clients, and internal teams.
8. Leadership Aspirations:Desire and capability to step into a CEO role, underpinned by a holistic understanding of business operations and strategic vision.
9. Resilience and Adaptability:Ability to thrive in fast-paced, demanding environments, maintaining focus and a solutions-oriented mindset.
10. Integrity and Accountability:High ethical standards and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of excellence.
11. Visionary and Analytical Thinker:A strategist who is also detail-oriented, capable of synthesising data and translating insights into actionable strategies.
12. Innovative Problem Solver:Creative in developing and executing new solutions that elevate business performance.