GTS are pleased to be retained by a privately-owned, high-growth SME operating in the UK and Europe.
On their behalf, we are seeking an experienced Financial Controller (FC). This is a career-defining leadership role within a rapidly scaling business that has delivered strong double-digit growth and is being actively positioned for a successful exit within the next five years.
Key Responsibilities
* End-to-end leadership of the finance department: financial control, management & statutory reporting, FP&A, treasury, tax, credit control (A/R), purchase-to-pay (A/P), payroll, internal controls, and risk management
* Business partner to the CEO, MDs and wider leadership team; trusted advisor to the Board
* Design, recruitment and development of a high-performing finance team capable of scaling with the business
* Drive finance transformation: implement best-in-class O2C, P2P and R2R processes
* Lead systems and technology upgrades – ERP selection/implementation experience highly advantageous
* Support M&A, post-merger integration, due diligence, refinancing, capital-raising and exit-preparation activities
* Embed robust governance, compliance and control frameworks suitable for a high-growth, private-equity-backed environment
MUST HAVE
* fully qualified ACA / ACCA / CIMA (or international equivalent)
* Big-4 or strong mid-tier audit training background (or high-calibre industry graduate programme)
* Significant post-qualification experience gained within high-growth SME or scale-up environments undergoing transformation
* Proven track record of building and leading finance teams in entrepreneurial, private-equity-backed or owner-managed businesses
* Hands-on finance transformation experience: process re-engineering, systems implementation, control framework design
* Strong technical accounting, reporting and compliance skills combined with commercial acumen
* Experience in product wholesale, distribution, supply-chain, logistics or field-service engineering sectors is highly desirable
* ERP implementation/upgrade experience (ideally within inventory-heavy or multi-site distribution businesses)
NICE TO HAVE
* Transaction experience (M&A, due diligence, PMI, exit preparation, fundraising)
* Exposure to B2B recurring-revenue or SaaS-adjacent business models
* Previous “number 2” or deputy CFO role reporting to a private-equity or venture-backed CFO
Personal Attributes
* High IQ and EQ – able to operate strategically at Board level and roll sleeves up operationally
* Exceptional communicator and cultural leader; gravitas combined with approachability
* Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous, high-growth environments
* Proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable challenging the status quo
Location & Package East Midlands (hybrid working available). Highly competitive salary, performance-related bonus and longer-term equity-linked incentives reflective of the exit horizon.
This is a strictly confidential search managed exclusively by GTS Group. To register interest or request the full information pack, please contact Greg McHugh on greg-m@gts-search.com @ GTS Group directly quoting reference FC-4675 .
All applications and enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence