Fractional CFO

2-3 days per week | 6 month initial contract | Central London, Hybrid

About The Company:

I am working with a leading provider of environmental and social data and intelligence. Drawing on two decades of specialist experience, they deliver decision-grade, location-specific data that helps investors and corporates understand how climate, nature and social factors affect risk, performance and long-term value.

Their analytics are used globally to inform investment decisions, risk management, stewardship and reporting, supporting alignment with leading frameworks and regulations, including TNFD, CSRD, ISSB, and Social Value requirements.

Role Description:

This role is ideal for a mission-driven finance leader passionate about leveraging data and technology to drive measurable sustainability impacts.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

Develop and execute financial strategy to support the company’s mission of scaling sustainability and impact data and intelligence solutions.
Provide actionable insights to guide decision-making and ensure financial alignment with the start-up’s vision.
Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to define long-term goals and funding strategies.

Capital Management and Fundraising:

Lead efforts to secure funding through mission-aligned strategic investors, impact investors, venture capital, private equity, grants, etc.
Build relationships with financial institutions, investors, and other stakeholders in the sustainability and impact space.
Optimise capital structure and manage cash flow to ensure financial stability and flexibility.

Financial Operations and Reporting:

Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and accounting.
Implement robust financial controls and systems to ensure compliance and transparency.
Prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports to investors, board members, and internal stakeholders.

Risk Management and Compliance:

Identify and mitigate financial risks associated with a high-growth start-up environment.
Ensure compliance with local and international regulations, particularly around ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) disclosures and potentially regulated business.

Scalability and Technology Adoption:

Spearhead financial technology (fintech) initiatives to streamline processes and drive cost efficiencies.
Support rapid scaling of the organisation by aligning financial systems with growth strategies.

Shareholder Agreement Requirements:

Ensure CEO and Directors of our Swiss parent company are provided accurately and on time the company financials pack every month, using our Financial Accountancy and Taxation Advisory arrangements with our Geneva and London accounting and tax advisors, respectively.
Ensure all Swiss and UK statutory and regulatory reporting requirements are complied with monthly; that all Swiss and UK taxes and imposts required to be paid are correctly calculated and paid on time
Supervise and quality-control Indian statutory and regulatory reporting requirements and their execution, as there is an India team which does this for the Indian subsidiary
Ensure that Board reporting requirements and Investor reporting requirements are provided to quality and on time, and that our Investors’ queries are handled on a timely basis, consulting colleagues where required
Ensure that the firm’s cash flow requirements are well managed, to ensure timely invoicing of sales and collection of sales proceeds, and timely payment of dues
Reviewing and verifying incoming invoices to ensure they represent valid firm dues, and then putting them up for payment, for the CEO to authorise and remit these payments on a fortnightly basis (at present carried out by our finance team of 3 people)
Other finance work – including financial summary reports and financial analysis – required by the CEO from time to time
Strategically important projects that involve Finance and Taxation knowledge (eg.1.) Designing an appropriate ESOP for the team in India, bearing in mind the preponderance of UK/London hires and that all ESOPs thus far are to UK staff, mainly Sales; (eg.2.) Evaluating and recommending to Board future options available for a company which has built an Executive Bench with a high proportion of London-based hires.

Board Reporting Requirements

Management and Board reports will be provided by the Job Holder, on a periodic basis as below:

Management accounts / financial statements, together with budget and business plan reports, on a monthly basis, prepared by the Job Holder with support from a partner in Geneva.
Within 30 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, unaudited interim financial statements
Such other information as the CEO may reasonably request to monitor the Company’s financial progress

Preferred Shares Series A1 Shareholder Reporting Requirements

Shareholders holding at least 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Swiss parent company shall be provided the following information by the incumbent, using the support of our Accountancy and Tax advisors in Geneva:

Within 120 calendar days of the end of each financial year, audited statutory and, if applicable, consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with applicable law;
Within 30 calendar days of the end of each quarter, unaudited interim financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with applicable law;
Within 30 calendar days of each month, management reports with information on key performance indicators together with budget and business plan reports;
No later than the end of the financial year (or as otherwise agreed with the CEO), the proposed budget for the following financial year.

Any additional information reasonably requested by a holder of Preferred Shares Series A1 in order to (i) account for the investment made in the Company or (ii) meet the demands of any regulatory and/or governmental authorities.

The Job Holder will ensure that each holder of Preferred Shares Series A1 shall have the opportunity to discuss any issues relating to their investment and the Company with the Company, and the Company shall allow (i) consultation with the Management on significant issues and (ii) access to the books, records and facilities of the Company at any time upon reasonable advance request to the Board.

The Management shall ensure that all books and records required by the Job Holder are

provided in a timely and complete state to meet requirements (i) and (ii) above.

Key Skills and Competencies:

Start-Up Agility: Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, start-up environment.
Fundraising Expertise: Strong track record in securing capital and managing investor relations, particularly in sustainability or tech-driven sectors.
Innovation-Driven Mindset: Comfortable leveraging technology and data-driven tools for financial planning and reporting.
Strategic Thinker with Execution Skills: Capable of balancing long-term vision with tactical day-to-day responsibilities.
Collaboration with Key Stakeholder Groups: Strong interpersonal skills to work with diverse teams, including technologists, sustainability experts, and investors.
Impact and ESG Literacy: Deep understanding of ESG frameworks and sustainability metrics.

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CFA, MBA) with a strong emphasis on finance, technology, and sustainability.
Experience in the fintech, sustainability-tech, or data/AI-driven industries.
Familiarity with impact investing, ESG reporting standards, and global financial regulations.

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