Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Private Equity Backed SME Group | London | £130,000 to £150,000 plus Bonus and Equity
A growing, private equity backed business is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to join its leadership team and play a pivotal role in its next phase of growth and value creation.
Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will take overall responsibility for the finance function, combining strong technical expertise with strategic and commercial leadership. A key priority will be preparing the business for a successful exit, drawing on previous experience of taking a company through an exit process.
This is an opportunity for a hands-on, commercially minded finance leader to work closely with the CEO and investors, influencing business strategy and helping maximise shareholder value.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the group finance function, overseeing financial reporting, group accounting, consolidation and governance.
- Drive FP&A, including budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, cash flow management and scenario analysis.
- Provide robust financial insight and commercial analysis to support strategic decisions, growth initiatives and operational performance.
- Strengthen financial controls, reporting processes and governance, ensuring accurate and timely management information.
- Develop and deliver financial strategies to support business growth, profitability and long term value creation.
- Lead capital raising activities, supporting funding strategies, investor engagement and the preparation of financial information for debt or equity transactions.
- Work closely with the CEO, private equity investors and other stakeholders on business planning, performance reporting and investment strategy.
- Lead exit readiness and transaction processes, including financial due diligence, data room preparation and engagement with external advisers.
- Oversee cash flow, working capital, debt management and financial risk.
- Lead, develop and challenge the finance team, building the capability and infrastructure required to support the next stage of growth.
Candidate Profile:
- ACA or ACCA qualified, ideally with a strong technical foundation gained in a leading accountancy practice and a background in audit.
- Proven CFO or senior finance leadership experience within a private equity backed business, ideally in an SME or mid market environment.
- Essential: A proven track record of taking a business through to a successful exit, with direct involvement in transaction preparation, financial due diligence and the exit process.
- Extensive FP&A experience, with strong financial modelling, forecasting, budgeting and commercial analysis capabilities.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, with experience leading group reporting, consolidation, financial controls and governance.
- Experience supporting capital raising, refinancing or other funding transactions.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to translate financial information into clear recommendations that influence business strategy.
- A confident and credible business partner, comfortable working with CEOs, investors and boards.
- Hands on, proactive and comfortable balancing strategic leadership with operational detail.
- An engaging leadership style, with the ability to develop a high performing finance function and influence stakeholders at all levels.
The Opportunity:
This is a high impact CFO appointment offering the opportunity to shape financial strategy, support the next phase of growth and play a central role in delivering value for shareholders.
