Blair West are supporting a highly profitable, founder-led North East business, to find a Chief Financial Officer. It is a tech-enabled services business where utilities infrastructure meets AI, combining its own leak-detection software with specialist no-dig repair for UK water companies. With c.£15m revenue, strong profitability and a plan to double in size over the next two years, it is building the finance leadership to match its ambitions. This is a newly created role and the business’s first CFO, reporting to the Founder & CEO and working closely with the Chairman and Board.
The opportunity:
- Join as the first CFO and senior commercial partner to the Founder & CEO, Non-Executive Chairman and Board, with a real say in how the business is shaped for its next stage of growth.
- Shape how the business is valued, separating recurring software revenue from project and service income and showing investors why each should be valued differently.
- Lead revenue forecasting and commercial planning, bringing predictability to a contract-led business and building a clear value creation plan.
- Build the SaaS metrics investors look for, including ARR, retention and unit economics, as the software platform moves to subscription and grows internationally.
- Bring investor-grade reporting and financial discipline, working closely with the Board, investor and advisers on strategic and corporate finance decisions.
- Mentor and develop a capable, ambitious finance lead, preparing them to lead the function in the future.
- Bring constructive challenge. The founders are hiring a CFO because they want fresh thinking, not validation.
You’ll be the ideal candidate for this role if you have:
- Proven experience as a number-one CFO or FD in a business of similar size and complexity.
- Been through a sale or investment process before, either in industry or in practice, as CFO, Financial Controller, number two or corporate finance adviser.
- A clear understanding of how SaaS businesses are valued, including ARR, retention, unit economics and revenue multiples.
- A track record of improving forecasting and revenue visibility in a project- or contract-led business.
- Confidence working with investors, lenders and advisers. Private equity experience helps but isn’t essential.
- A hands-on approach. You’re happy to build the model yourself as well as present it, and you enjoy developing others.
- A base in the North East, with regular time in the Gateshead office.
- Bonus points for exposure to water, utilities, infrastructure services, tech-enabled services or international expansion.
The benefits included with this opportunity:
- A growth-linked reward structure
- A flexible working pattern, open to discussion for the right person.
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.