Note: This is a confidential search project for a client of Collingwood. Further details will be made available under NDA to shortlisted candidates.
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Events & Media Business
Fractional (1–1.5 days per week initially, rising to 2-3 days a week after 12 months)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Remuneration – Market rate day rate plus exit orientated incentive. Outside IR35.
Location – Remote but attendance required at Board meetings.
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Fractional Chief Financial Officer to oversee, professionalise and scale the finance function of a growing events and B2B media business.
The CFO will supervise a finance team of two and ensure delivery of accurate, timely and decision-useful financial information, alongside strong financial control and governance.
In addition, the CFO will play a central role in preparing the business for a planned exit within approximately two years. This will include ownership of financial readiness, development of robust and credible financial narratives, and support of all transaction-related activity in close coordination with the CEO and appointed advisors.
The role requires a balance of operational rigour, commercial insight and transaction experience.
Key Responsibilities
Finance Leadership
- Lead and supervise the finance team (2 staff)
- Enhance financial processes, controls and systems to a standard suitable for investor scrutiny
- Ensure scalability of the finance function in line with planned revenue growth, particularly in events
- Establish clear ownership, accountability and timelines across all finance outputs
Financial Reporting & KPIs
- Deliver monthly management accounts with clear variance analysis and actionable commentary
- Prepare Board-level reporting packs aligned to investor expectations
- Develop and maintain a KPI framework aligned to value creation
- Improve speed, accuracy and usability of reporting outputs, using AI where appropriate
- Implement automated and standardised reporting where appropriate
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with clear linkage to strategic objectives
- Build and maintain rolling 12–24 month integrated financial models
- Develop scenario models (base, upside, downside), including:
- Event scale-up assumptions
- Revenue mix shifts
- Cost base evolution
- Sensitivity analysis on key drivers
- Support commercial decision-making with structured financial analysis (pricing, packaging, ROI)
- Establish forward-looking visibility on revenue quality and sustainability
Treasury & Cash Management
- Oversee cashflow and liquidity with a focus on forward visibility
- Implement robust, rolling cashflow forecasting
- Manage working capital, including receivables discipline and event-related cash cycles
- Manage banking relationships and funding requirements as needed
Tax, Audit & Compliance
- Ensure VAT, corporation tax and payroll compliance
- Oversee statutory accounts and audit process (we are audited despite being below threshold - a requirement of investors)
- Manage Auditors and external advisors efficiently and cost-effectively
- Maintain appropriate financial controls and governance standards
Exit Preparation & Transaction Readiness
- Assess and continuously monitor readiness for exit
- Upgrade financial reporting, controls and documentation to meet buyer expectations
- Develop clear and defensible financial narratives, including:
- Quality of earnings
- Revenue visibility and predictability
- Margin sustainability
- Identify and address gaps that could impact valuation or transaction risk
- Support preparation for vendor due diligence processes
Data Room & M&A Support
- Build, structure and maintain a transaction-ready data room
- Prepare and validate financial data books and supporting schedules
- Ensure consistency between management reporting, statutory accounts and transaction materials
- Work closely with advisors on all financial aspects of the transaction process
- Support management through due diligence queries and buyer interactions
Systems, Data & Automation
- Improve management information through better use of systems and data integration
- Drive automation of recurring reporting and analysis processes
- Ensure finance systems support accurate, scalable and timely reporting
- Introduce appropriate use of tools (including AI-enabled processes where relevant) to reduce manual workload and improve insight quality
Candidate Profile
- Proven CFO or senior finance leadership experience in a growth environment
- Demonstrable experience supporting or leading M&A / exit processes
- Strong commercial and analytical capability, with ability to link financial outputs to strategic decisions
- Experience in events, media or B2B information businesses desirable
- Track record of building scalable reporting, modelling and financial infrastructure
- Comfortable operating in a hands-on, resource-constrained environment
- Able to challenge constructively and operate as a true partner to the CEO
- Strong attention to detail combined with pragmatism and pace
