Finance Director
Artemis Executive Search has been retained by a high-growth SME to appoint a commercially focused Finance Director ahead of a significant private equity investment. The business is at a pivotal stage in its journey and will embark on an ambitious buy-and-build strategy, targeting multiple acquisitions over the coming years.
The Opportunity
Our client is a well-established, profitable business with a strong market position and a highly experienced leadership team. The incoming Finance Director will play a key strategic and operational role in preparing the business for investment, professionalising the finance function, and supporting the execution of acquisitions post-investment.
This is an outstanding opportunity to join a private equity-bound business at the inflection point of a transformational growth journey.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Finance Leadership
* Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, shaping financial strategy, commercial planning, and business growth initiatives.
* Develop and execute a comprehensive value creation plan aligned with private equity expectations and long-term growth goals.
* Define and track KPIs and performance dashboards focused on core value drivers such as occupancy, staffing ratios, and site-level EBITDA.
* Lead complex financial modelling to support strategic decisions, including growth forecasting, site expansion, and bolt-on acquisitions.
Financial Management & Control
* Deliver accurate, timely, and insightful monthly reporting, including P&L, cash flow, and variance analysis.
* Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and compliance frameworks that meet PE-grade standards.
* Prepare and present board packs, investor updates, and liaise with external advisors (audit, tax, legal, due diligence).
* Oversee all aspects of financial operations, including statutory accounts, payroll, tax, supplier payments, and credit control.
Commercial Value Creation
* Provide commercial insight to support data-driven decisions around staffing models, pricing strategies, and margin improvement.
* Identify cost optimisation opportunities and inform procurement strategies.
* Build site-level performance visibility and directly link operational metrics to financial outcomes.
Systems & Process Optimisation
* Lead the transformation and scaling of finance systems to support multi-site operations and future acquisitions.
* Implement structured budgeting, forecasting, and BI tools appropriate for a growing, investor-backed group.
* Automate key finance workflows (e.g., invoicing, payroll, reporting) to drive efficiency and reduce reliance on manual processes.
M&A Execution & Investor Engagement
* Support all phases of M&A, from financial due diligence to integration of acquired entities.
* Engage with investors and external advisors on capital structuring, funding rounds, and investment cases.
* Play a key role in preparing the business for future liquidity events, including secondary buyouts or trade sales.
Candidate Profile
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a proven track record in senior finance leadership, ideally within a PE-backed or high-growth SME environment.
* Experience supporting M&A activity, including financial due diligence, integration, and funding structures.
* Strong commercial acumen and ability to challenge and support cross-functional teams.
* Comfortable operating in a hands-on role, while building systems, teams, and controls for scale.
* Excellent communication skills with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders, including investors and board members.
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