Interim Group Financial Controller/Director

to £150,000 /£400-700 per day

An entrepreneurial, diverse services group is seeking an Interim Financial Controller/Director, a rare opportunity for an experienced senior finance leader to join a business undergoing significant positive transformation. This role will play a critical part in maintaining financial stability, supporting M&A activity, and ensuring continuity of core finance operations during a period of rapid and exciting growth.

The apointee will oversee the day-to-day operations of both group and divisional finance functions, including operational finance and reporting teams. A key focus will be on managing cashflow, business risk and ensuring a robust internal control environment, alongside full compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

As well as providing robust financial leadership and clear and astute financial management, the appointee will partner closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to the execution of strategic priorities while driving change across the finance function and the wider business. This role demands a strong commercial mindset, with accountability for managing the Group’s P&L and balance sheet, and providing actionable financial insight to senior stakeholders.

In addition to delivering high-quality financial control and reporting, they will play a lead role in shaping and supporting the Group’s ongoing M&A strategy and an upcoming debt-finance raise. As such, the ability to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with agility and sound judgement is essential.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/ACMA) with a demonstrable track record of success in senior finance roles. They will combine deep technical expertise with the ability to bring strategic thinking and commercial value to the numbers.

This is a broad but hands-on role, requiring strength in controls, compliance, and reporting, as well as the confidence to challenge, influence, and improve. You will also lead on technical and regulatory accounting, group reporting, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of financial information.

Managing a small but capable team, the appointee will be expected to drive performance through process re-engineering, system improvement, and upskilling of team capability, helping to develop the finance function fit for the future.

Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Oversee the day-to-day financial management of both group and divisional finance teams, ensuring operational finance functions run efficiently and effectively.
• Business Risk & Compliance: Ensure a robust internal control environment, mitigating financial risks and ensuring adherence to all statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Play a key role in the organisation’s ongoing M&A strategy, conducting financial due diligence and integrating newly acquired businesses.
• Debt Finance Support: Provide financial oversight and expertise in debt finance raising initiatives, ensuring the business is well-capitalised to support its growth trajectory.
• Financial Reporting & Control: Deliver accurate, timely, and insightful financial reporting to key stakeholders, ensuring clarity and confidence in financial performance.
• Commercial Decision-Making: Work closely with the board to drive strategic initiatives, proactively manage the P&L and balance sheet, and support business-wide financial decision-making.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead and inspire a talented finance team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Process Optimisation & Systems Enhancement: Refine and develop internal management reporting systems, drive automation and efficiency in finance processes, and implement best-in-class financial controls.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Coordinate and oversee the production of annual budgets and monthly profit & cash flow forecasts, ensuring financial sustainability and growth planning.

Key Experience and Skills

• Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA or ACMA, with a minimum of 10 years’ post-qualification experience
• Experience: At least 5 years in senior finance leadership roles, ideally within a high-growth, service-led organisation
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial orientation and a proven track record of contributing to growth, strategic decision-making, and business performance
• Operational Expertise: Demonstrated ability to lead multi-site/divisional teams and deliver operational improvements
• Financial Proficiency: Advanced understanding of financial reporting, modelling, compliance, and use of modern finance systems
• Resilience & Adaptability: Comfort operating in high-paced, evolving environments, with a problem-solving, solution-focused mindset
• Leadership & Integrity: High personal integrity and a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and professional standards
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Able to combine strategic thinking with attention to detail, translating complex data into practical actions
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Creative and pragmatic in developing solutions that improve performance and value

Person Specification

This is a broad, commercially involved role requiring not only a strong technical and controls background but also the ability to add strategic and commercial value.

As with all senior appointments in this people-centric Group, cultural fit and alignment with company values are essential. In a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and innovative environment, attitude is as important as experience.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in setting the tone and culture of the finance function, demonstrating gravitas, energy, and an ability to influence at all levels. A ‘hands-on’, proactive approach is essential, as is a mindset geared towards change, growth, and continuous improvement.

They will possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work cross-functionally, and a track record of delivering results in dynamic, evolving environments.

Skills & Experience Required

• Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA or ACMA, with a minimum of 10 year’s post-qualification experience
• Experience: At least 5 years in senior finance leadership roles, ideally within a high-growth, service-led organisation
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial orientation and a proven track record of contributing to growth, strategic decision-making, and business performance
• Operational Expertise: Demonstrated ability to lead multi-site/divisional teams and deliver operational improvements
• Financial Proficiency: Advanced understanding of financial reporting, modelling, compliance, and use of modern finance systems
• Resilience & Adaptability: Comfort operating in high-paced, evolving environments, with a problem-solving, solution-focused mindset
• Leadership & Integrity: High personal integrity and a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and professional standards
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Able to combine strategic thinking with attention to detail, translating complex data into practical actions
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Creative and pragmatic in developing solutions that improve performance and value
• Deal exposure: Experience of Mergers & Acquisitions, and/or debt finance raising. (Desirable)

The appointee will constantly strive for excellence and demonstrate personal drive and resilience, with a mature and experienced approach to both growth, and set-backs. They will be self-motivated & able to work on their own initiative whilst putting team and company needs before own and possess the ability to think flexibly and laterally.

The successful candidate will have continuous improvement and innovative approach to financial leadership, and be hugely excited by a very high paced environment, thick with USPs – their strength will be underpinned by a real “Just Do It” attitude, and a sense of humour.