Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director

PE-Backed Technology Services Business — North-West

The Company

Our client is a highly successful, private equity-backed provider of network infrastructure and cyber security services to the public sector, with deep expertise across local government, healthcare, blue light and education. Following a recent MBO backed by a leading mid-market PE investor, the business has entered an exciting new phase of growth. Building on more than 13 years of success and revenues now at £18m, it has an ambitious five-year plan to nearly double the business to £32m through continued double-digit growth and expansion into new geographic regions. The company is now seeking its first dedicated Finance Director/CFO to build the financial platform that underpins this journey and to prepare the business for a successful exit.

The Role

• Serve as a Board member with full leadership of the finance function, including management accounts, financial accounting and statutory audit, billing, credit control, cashflow management, payroll and procurement
• Assume ownership of strategic financial planning, forecasting and Board reporting, freeing the Managing Director to focus on broader strategic leadership
• Build and maintain a robust long‑term financial model providing up-to-date P&L, balance sheet and cashflow information at monthly, quarterly and annual rests
• Act as a strategic business partner to the commercial function, providing financial review of bids and quotes and supporting the ongoing refinement of the sales strategy
• Produce robust, accurate monthly Board reporting that meets the needs of both management and shareholders
• Ensure the finance team, systems and processes are fit for purpose and scalable, including the appropriate use of evolving technologies such as AI
• Lead exit readiness, including preparation of financial due diligence materials, optimisation of key valuation metrics, and financial assessment and integration of any acquisitions

The Candidate

• A proven track record as a senior financial leader in a comparable business on a similar growth journey
• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA or equivalent)
• Experience of directly managing and developing a successful finance team
• Prior experience as a leader within a PE-backed business is highly desirable
• Exposure to a public sector client base, including procurement frameworks compliance, would be an advantage
• Strong commercial acumen with experience of working alongside commercial leadersExcellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex financial matters to an SLT or Board audience
• The versatility to move seamlessly between detailed financial management and strategic oversight as the business requires

The Package

The package comprises a competitive base salary plus bonus, growth shares and private healthcare. The successful candidate will be required to attain police-level security vetting (arranged during the recruitment process).