Job Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid)
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer & Board
Type: Full-Time | Executive Leadership Role
Company Overview (Confidential)
The company is a private-equity-backed specialist consultancy delivering high-value strategic advisory services to a global client base. The business has a strong core market position and a clear strategy to scale internationally, supported by its private equity sponsor.
Growth will be driven through a combination of organic expansion and targeted international M&A, with a defined medium-term exit horizon. The CFO will play a central role in executing this strategy and positioning the business for a successful exit.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly commercial and strategically minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the finance function of a PE-backed, high-growth consultancy. The CFO will be a core member of the executive leadership team and a key partner to the CEO, Board, and private equity investors.
This role requires significant private equity exposure, deep hands-on M&A experience, and a proven track record of using acquisitions to support international expansion and exit value creation. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with a hands-on approach suited to a scaling professional services business.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Strategy, Growth & Value Creation
- Develop and execute a financial strategy aligned with PE value-creation plans, international growth objectives, and exit timelines.
- Partner with the CEO and Board to evaluate international market entry strategies, investment priorities, and capital allocation.
- Lead multi-year financial planning, scenario modelling, and exit-focused forecasting.
Private Equity & Exit Readiness
- Act as the primary financial interface with private equity investors.
- Deliver Board-level reporting, KPIs, and performance analysis aligned to PE expectations.
- Lead exit readiness activities
International M&A Leadership
- Own and lead all financial aspects of M&A, with a specific focus on international acquisitions, including:
- Financial evaluation of overseas targets and new market entry opportunities
- Valuation modelling, investment cases, and returns analysis
- Cross-border financial due diligence
- Deal structuring, funding considerations, and risk assessment
Operational & Commercial Finance
- Oversee accounting, cash flow, tax, audit, and statutory compliance, including multi-jurisdictional requirements.
- Implement scalable financial systems, controls, and processes suitable for international operations and exit scrutiny.
- Partner with commercial leadership on pricing, utilisation, project profitability, and international contract structures.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build and lead a finance function capable of supporting international growth and PE exit standards.
- Develop regional finance leadership as the business expands globally.
- Foster a performance-driven, transparent, and commercially focused finance culture.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
- Senior finance leadership experience (CFO / Finance Director) within a private-equity-backed business.
- Extensive M&A experience, including cross-border transactions and post-deal integration.
- Proven track record of using M&A to drive international expansion and value creation.
- Demonstrable involvement in preparing and executing a PE exit (trade sale or secondary buy-out).
- Strong Board-level and investor-facing capability.
Highly Desirable
- Background in professional services or consultancy environments.
- Experience scaling an SME into a multi-country operation.
- Knowledge of international tax, transfer pricing, and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience implementing global financial reporting and ERP systems.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive executive compensation package.
- Performance-linked incentives aligned to international growth and exit success.
- Opportunity to play a lead role in international expansion through M&A.
- Significant influence at Board and private equity investor level.
- Flexible, hybrid working model.
