Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer                                                                           c£135k, bonus and bens

PE Backed Utility and Infrastructure services                                      Lancashire

 
My retained client is a PE backed market leader in utility and infrastructure services. Operating from centres across the UK they provide high quality essential and planned maintenance services, asset management systems and technology led preventative detection and monitoring operations to many of the UK’s largest utility companies and blue chip organisations. The business is highly profitable and operates in a resilient, fragmented sector with significant opportunities for further organic growth and expansion by acquisition.

The CFO position is a broad ranging role which will draw heavily on the successful candidate’s technical, commercial and leadership capabilities. Reporting to the CEO (and operating at both Investor and Operating Board level) the role will include:

• Leadership and development of a high performing, commercially integrated finance function, capable of delivering incisive and responsive reporting, and supporting the Group as it continues to grow
• Providing commercial and strategic input to assist in the growth of the Group and ensuring a strong continual focus on enhancement of shareholder value
• Proactive engagement with operational leadership, seeking out opportunities for improved efficiency and uplifts to general/operational margin, and helping ensure new business tenders are supported by rigorous financial insight and evaluation
• Continued robust management of working capital
• Active engagement with any M&A activity including evaluation, execution and integration
• Development of strong, open relationships with key stakeholders
• Ensuring the business has the requisite infrastructure, systems, MIS and controls to underpin further growth
• Operating as main point of contact for banks, auditors and other relevant advisors
• Helping prepare the Group for a successful exit event in due course

 
The Candidate

Our requirement is for an extremely high calibre individual who has the requisite drive, intellectual capability, commercial nous and interpersonal skill to play a pivotal role at Board level and operate as right hand to the CEO.

Strong ‘end to end’ finance experience is essential - ideally in a stand-alone entity, but high calibre individuals from a divisional background may be considered if they are highly commercial and have a strong, practical understanding of managing cash and working capital together M&A experience; acquiring and integrating stand-alone entities into their business.


Skills and Abilities

• Experience of working in a B2B Services business (especially where there are longer term contracting dynamics)
• Exposure to operating in a private equity environment
• Successful completion and integration of acquisitions
• Development of MI, controls and systems in a fast growing, dynamic environment
• Qualified Accountant – with a strong track record in their career to date
• Bright, robust, energetic and driven - bringing intellectual clarity, high levels of personal energy and a ‘can do’, proactive outlook
• Cultural fit- must be able to ‘fit in’ and thrive in a fast moving, change orientated and entrepreneurially driven environment
• Proven leadership skills with high levels of emotional intelligence and a down to earth and level headed interpersonal style
• An independent thinker – able to bring ideas of their own to the table as well as providing constructive challenge when appropriate