Blair West are supporting GAP North East, a highly profitable waste and logistics business, with the search for a CFO. The business is seeking a strategic, high calibre, growth focused CFO with relevant industry understanding to play a lead role in the next phase of growth, which includes an equity event in the near term.
GAP Group North East is one of Europe’s leading electrical waste resource management businesses, it has its head office in Gateshead and is led by CEO and co-Founder Peter Moody. The business was set up initially as a haulage provider within the waste electricals industry and has vertically integrated its business model to include a well-invested and state-of-the-art processing facility that can treat up to 90,000 tonnes of electrical waste per year. The business has contracts with nationwide local authority and government bodies, as well as with electrical goods manufacturers and retailers.
The business has experienced significant growth to £30m t/o in recent years and is targeting further scale in the next 3 years. This includes the opening of a processing facility in central Scotland and exploring potential strategic M&A opportunities. The future growth potential for GAP Group is substantial and there is a defined plan to achieve aspirational plans.
The appointment of a commercial CFO, who fits with the culture of an ambitious, collegiate and entrepreneurial boardroom is a key feature in the near-term strategy. The successful candidate will be forward-looking and commercial in approach, they will have exceptional communication and leadership skills and be experienced at facilitating strategic board room discussion through analysis and data-led decision making. They will be able to draw from experience in recycling, waste management, distribution or a similar industrial market, and have a track record of achieving results in complex group structures.
They will have a sleeves-rolled-up approach, bring an understanding of what good looks like within a Private Equity environment and have a laser focus on generating shareholder value.
This is the opportunity to join the board of an established, profitable and growing business, providing key contribution through board level leadership, delivering an ambitious growth plan.
The opportunity:
- Overall responsibility for the design and delivery of the finance strategy that supports the mission, vision and wider business strategy, aligned to Company values.
- Act as an inspirational leader, driving accountability for achieving measurable shareholder value, developing internal talent, and identifying external talent who can deliver.
- Accountable for delivering commercial insight, using data and analytics to drive business performance.
- Drive improvements to forecasting and analysis, contributing to commercial and strategic decision making.
- Take a lead role in ongoing and future M&A projects, driving analysis, financial modelling, strategic insight and post deal integration workflows.
- Play a lead role in the roadshow process, effectively telling the GAP Group story alongside the CEO and wider team.
- Provide strategic financial advice and support to the CEO and wider Board, providing insight to aid decision making.
- Drive financial performance and improve business profitability, maintaining a relentless focus on cash flow and value creation.
- Lead on digitisation activities, deliver robust and accurate financial information and KPIs.
- Identify areas requiring improved robust financial controls and processes that drive stakeholder accountability, maintaining a cost control culture.
- Manage external stakeholder relationships where appropriate, including banking and investors, and play a part in promoting and representing the company to external organisations.
You'll be the ideal candidate for this position if you:
- Have been an accomplished leader, with a proven track record at CFO or high performing FD level, with appropriate qualifications for the role.
- Have experience of leading growth in waste, recycling, logistics or similar industries.
- Have a track record of achieving success and delivering growth in a complex group environment.
- Have a growth mindset and be capable of building followership in an established senior team.
- Experience of Private Equity or plc ownership model is vastly preferred.
- Prioritise culture and high standards – with infectious ambition and enthusiasm and a commitment to delivering commercial results.
- Have a strong understanding of what it takes to work in a high growth, entrepreneurial environment.
- Are technically strong with high commercial acumen, capable of making positive contribution to strategy formulation and delivery.
- Are culturally aligned - energetic, highly motivated, dedicated, with a passion for excellence and building exceptional working environments.
- Have a background of team development and leadership in a Private Equity backed or leveraged environment, where management of bank debt, funding covenants and cash are under scrutiny.
- Have a clear and confident board level communicator - the successful candidate will have the self-confidence and intellect to constructively challenge strategic decision making and support the senior team in decision making.
- Have the ability to focus on operational detail while supporting the broader business agenda.
Our commitment:
- Blair West is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process. We are committed to fairness, equality, and ongoing diversity training for our team to give our candidates and clients a feeling of belonging during their experience with us. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during their experience with us, please speak to their consultant.
