Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Confidential Financial Services Firm
Location: London, UK (Flexible hybrid working)
Reporting to: CEO and Board of Directors
Company Overview
A dynamic financial services firm dedicated to unlocking investor access to alternative lending markets, particularly in the under-served SME sector. By consolidating alternative finance providers through a buy-and-build strategy, we create a one-stop private credit platform that addresses the funding gaps left by traditional banks due to regulatory pressures like Basel III. Our mission is to level the playing field for the UK's 5.5 million SMEs, which contribute 50% of GDP, while delivering secure, predictable returns to investors with zero cost and no volatility. Backed by a high-calibre leadership team with extensive experience in M&A, transformation, and financial services, we are poised for rapid growth in a fragmented market.
Role Summary
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a strategic partner to the CEO and Board, overseeing all financial operations, compliance, and risk management to support the firm's ambitious growth agenda. This pivotal role involves driving financial strategy in alternative lending, investor relations, and platform consolidation. The CFO will ensure robust financial controls, optimise capital structures, and facilitate M&A activities in a regulated environment. As a key member of the executive team, the CFO will contribute to shaping the company's vision as a challenger in the SME debt funding space.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the firm's buy-and-build model, including forecasting, budgeting, and long-term financial modeling for alternative lending portfolios and investor returns.
- Investor Relations and Funding: Manage relationships with investors, ensuring transparent reporting on predictable returns and risk mitigation. Oversee equity raising, debt funding, and capital optimization to reduce reliance on high-cost institutional sources.
- M&A and Growth Initiatives: Lead financial due diligence, valuation, and integration for acquisitions of alternative finance providers, supporting platform consolidation and market expansion.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., Basel III, FCA guidelines) in SME lending and private credit operations. Implement robust risk frameworks to minimise defaults and maintain zero-cost investor propositions.
- Financial Operations and Reporting: Oversee accounting, treasury, tax, and audit functions. Produce accurate financial statements, KPIs, and dashboards for internal stakeholders and external reporting.
- Team Leadership: Build and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration in line with the firm's values of innovation and market disruption.
- Strategic Advisory: Provide insights on economic trends, regulatory changes, and opportunities in alternative lending to inform board-level decisions and drive sustainable growth.
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven track record as a CFO in financial services, preferably in alternative lending, private credit, or fintech sectors.
- Extensive experience in M&A, financial modelling, and capital markets, with a focus on regulated environments.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) with a strong understanding of UK GAAP/IFRS and regulatory compliance in finance.
- Demonstrated success in scaling operations in high-growth, fragmented markets, ideally involving SME funding or investor platforms.
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA or advanced qualification preferred.
- Minimum 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including board-level interaction.
Key Skills and Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, adept at building investor confidence.
- Deep knowledge of risk management, compliance, and financial technology tools.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable in a fast-paced, transformative environment.
- Commitment to ethical practices and alignment with the firm's mission to support UK SMEs and economic growth.
