This is not a steady-state Head of Finance role. This is the number one finance position in a private equity-backed services platform executing an ambitious buy-and-build strategy across environmental and infrastructure markets.
The business is already trading at c.£50m revenue, profitable, acquisitive and equity-funded. The next phase is about scale, leverage and professionalisation.
They now need a Head of Finance to sit at the heart of that journey.
Not a caretaker.
A builder.
The role
You will be the senior finance leader in the group, reporting directly to the MD and working closely with the operators, driving acquisitions and integration.
This is a hands-on leadership role. There is no large central finance team. You will build structure, rigour and reporting discipline as the platform scales.
Your remit will include:
- Full ownership of group reporting and consolidation across multiple entities
- Delivering accurate monthly management accounts with pace and credibility
- Strengthening financial controls and governance across subsidiaries
- Leading budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling
- Treasury and cash management in an acquisitive environment
- Supporting due diligence, deal execution and post-acquisition integration
- Managing lenders, debt facilities and covenant reporting
- Acting as a commercial partner to leadership on growth and investment decisions
- Building and developing a scalable finance function over time
In the first 6–12 months, success will look like:
- Consolidated reporting delivered early in the month
- Clean, robust numbers trusted by lenders and investors
- Clear visibility on cash and working capital
- A repeatable finance integration playbook for bolt-on acquisitions
- A finance function that feels structured rather than reactive
This appointment will materially influence enterprise value.
Your profile
You are likely:
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified
- Technically strong in group consolidation, audit and statutory reporting
- Comfortable with UK GAAP and complex accounting areas (acquisition accounting, intercompany, revenue recognition)
- Experienced in a high-growth, PE-backed or leveraged environment
- Exposed to M&A, either through due diligence or integration
- Commercially sharp — not just technically capable
You may currently be:
- A Group Financial Controller in a £20–80m business
- A divisional finance lead ready for your first true #1 finance seat
- A strong Financial Controller stepping into a broader leadership mandate
What matters most is mindset.
This business needs someone comfortable creating structure from ambiguity. Someone who can operate at pace. Someone ambitious enough to grow into a future CFO.
The opportunity
- Base salary circa £120,000 – £140,000 (flexible for exceptional candidates)
- Performance bonus aligned to growth
- Future meaningful equity participation
- Hybrid working model
- Direct exposure to investors and deal activity
- Clear pathway toward CFO as the platform scales
If you want a comfortable corporate role with layers of support and zero risk, this is not it.
If you want to build something properly and be rewarded for it, this will appeal.
This is an exclusive search managed by Gravitate Recruitment. If you would like a confidential conversation, please get in touch directly.
Gravitate values a diverse workforce. Women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.