Chief Financial Officer Large-Cap Private Equity backed Professional Services £300,000 per annum Bonus Sweet Equity Central London Ref:12353 About the Business: Our client is a high-growth, global professional services business, generating £500m in revenue and £75m EBITDA. Since its investment by a large-cap private equity firm in 2022, the business has implemented an aggressive Buy-and-Build strategy, expanding its footprint across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. As the company moves towards a potential exit within the next 18 months, they are seeking a seasoned, data-driven CFO to guide them through this transformative phase. The likely exit route is either a US trade sale or a secondary buyout, and the CFO will play a central role in optimising the company’s financial and operational positioning for this event. Role Overview: The CFO will be a key strategic partner, working directly with the leadership team, investors, and stakeholders to drive the financial strategy, ensure robust financial performance, and prepare for a smooth exit. The ideal candidate will be commercially astute, experienced in high-growth environments, and able to manage complex, multi-region operations while focusing on maximising value for exit. Key Responsibilities: Global Financial Leadership: Lead the finance function across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas, ensuring alignment with global strategies and local financial requirements. Act as the key financial strategist for the business on an international scale. Data-Driven Commercial Leadership: Utilise data analytics to provide actionable insights that drive business decisions across geographies and operational units. Support commercial teams in evaluating opportunities, risks, and cost efficiencies globally. Private Equity & Investor Relations: Maintain strong communication with the private equity backers, providing regular financial updates, strategic recommendations, and performance analysis. Ensure that financial reporting and investor communication are clear, concise, and aligned with the exit strategy. M&A Strategy & Integration: Lead financial due diligence and the integration of new acquisitions as part of the Buy-and-Build strategy. Ensure financial synergies and operational efficiencies are realised post-acquisition across the business’s global operations. Exit Strategy & Execution: Work with the executive team to prepare for the upcoming exit, ensuring the business is financially positioned for a successful exit. Actively participate in the exit process, whether through a US trade sale or secondary buyout, optimising financial and operational structures to maximise value. Governance & Compliance: Oversee robust governance practices and ensure compliance with international financial regulations and reporting standards in all regions of operation. Team Development & Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing, global finance team. Foster a culture of collaboration, performance, and accountability, ensuring the finance function supports the broader strategic goals of the business. Candidate Profile: Experience: Extensive experience as a CFO or senior finance leader within high-growth, private equity-backed businesses. Strong experience in managing operations across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. Sector experience in professional services is preferred, but not essential. Commercial Acumen: A highly commercial mindset with the ability to use data and analytics to drive business performance and decisions. Proven ability to influence strategy and operational outcomes at both the global and local level. M&A Expertise: Significant experience in M&A, including financial modeling, due diligence, and post-merger integration, particularly within global organisations. Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to manage diverse, high-performance teams. Strong relationship-building capabilities with senior management, investors, and key stakeholders. Exit Strategy Knowledge: Deep understanding of exit processes, including preparing for US trade sales and secondary buyouts. Ability to structure and position the company for maximum value at exit. Global Financial Expertise: Proficient in managing multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction financial reporting and governance across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. Strong expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and strategic planning. ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent qualification preferred.