Interim Group Financial Controller
Sector: Data Centres / Digital Infrastructure
Contract: Interim (6–12 months typical) – Temp to Perm Highly Likely
Reporting to: Group Finance Director
Location: Remote initially but likely London later in 2026
Role Purpose
The Interim Group Financial Controller will play a critical role in establishing the group finance function for a fast‑growing private equity backed data centre business. The role is heavily focused on capex accounting, building fit‑for‑purpose finance processes, and implementing the finance systems landscape to support large‑scale infrastructure investment and future growth.
Key Responsibilities
Finance Function Setup & Control
* Design, implement, and embed a robust group accounting framework, including policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate for a capital‑intensive data centre environment
* Establish month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes, ensuring accuracy, pace, and audit readiness
* Ensure compliance with IFRS/UK GAAP, with particular focus on fixed assets, leases, and construction accounting
* Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors, advisors, and tax specialists
Capex & Fixed Asset Accounting (Core Focus)
* Lead all aspects of capex accounting, including CWIP, asset capitalisation, componentisation, asset lives, and depreciation policies
* Partner closely with construction, engineering, and project teams to ensure accurate financial tracking of large‑scale build programmes
* Implement capex governance, approval workflows, and cost‑to‑complete forecasting
* Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for complex development arrangements, vendor contracts, and milestone payments
* Build detailed fixed asset registers that support scale, refinancing, and future asset disposals
Systems & Data Landscape
* Assess the current finance systems landscape and define target‑state architecture aligned to group needs
* Lead the selection, implementation, or optimisation of core finance systems (ERP, fixed asset modules, capex tracking tools)
* Ensure clean data migration, strong controls, and scalable reporting structures
* Develop management reporting packs that provide clear visibility over capex, funding, and project performance
Stakeholder & Leadership Responsibilities
* Serve as a trusted finance partner to the CFO and senior leadership team during a period of build‑out and transformation
* Manage and upskill the finance team, setting clear roles, responsibilities, and ways of working
* Support financing, refinancing, or investor processes by providing high‑quality financial information and analysis
* Bring structure, pace, and credibility to a business operating in a high‑growth, high‑investment phase
Key Skills & Experience
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
* Proven experience as a Financial Controller or equivalent in capital‑intensive environments (data centres, infrastructure, energy, construction, real assets, or similar)
* Deep, hands‑on expertise in capex and fixed asset accounting
* Demonstrated experience setting up or transforming finance functions, including processes and systems
* Strong understanding of finance systems/ERPs and fixed asset modules
* Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments with limited existing infrastructure
Personal Attributes
* Hands‑on, delivery‑focused, and comfortable “building from scratch”
* Strong communicator able to bridge finance, technical, and non‑finance stakeholders
* Pragmatic, commercially minded, and detail‑oriented
* Confident operating at senior level while remaining close to the numbers