Group Finance Director - Professional Services (Private Equity) - #2160529

Dartmouth Partners have exclusively partnered with a private-equity backed professional services business for a Group Finance Director, directly reporting to the Group CFO and joining the regulated boards. The complex, people-centric business operates at significant scale and is looking to appoint a Group Finance Director to run the finance function, acting as a true number two and key contact for investors and exit readiness. This is a critical leadership role within a business undergoing substantial growth, transformation, M&A, remediation, and operational strengthening.

The Group Finance Director is responsible for financial stewardship, control, governance, liquidity, working capital and finance operations across the Group, leading the Reporting, Treasury & Tax team and the Revenue Operations team.

This role requires an individual with exceptional resilience, technical depth, and the ability to lead through complexity and change. Likely at Group Financial Controller or Director level equivalent already with significant PQ and step-up into something broader.

Regulated/Financial Services or Professional Services background is highly advantageous, (likely Accounting, Insurance, Wealth, Consulting or Fund/Investment Services) and experience operating in the upper middle-market, generally between £100 million to £1 billion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Group finance governance, control and reporting across a complex organisation.
• Own IFRS reporting, technical accounting and judgement on complex matters.
• Deliver high-quality financial insight to support executive and board decision-making.
• Act as a key partner to the CFO on strategic and commercial priorities.
• Build and maintain best-in-class financial control and governance frameworks.
• Lead relationships with auditors, lenders, investors and regulatory stakeholders.
• Drive cash generation, working capital optimisation and liquidity performance.
• Oversee treasury strategy, funding arrangements and covenant compliance.
• Hold designated SMF responsibilities within a regulated business environment.
• Strengthen governance standards across boards, committees and legal entities.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing finance leadership team.
• Support acquisitions, integration activity and wider corporate development initiatives.
• Champion automation, AI adoption and continuous improvement across finance.
• Drive transformation programmes that enhance scalability, efficiency and controls.
• Deliver investor-grade reporting and financial information of the highest quality.
• Embed a diligence-ready mindset across reporting, controls and financial processes.
• Play a pivotal role in value creation and long-term exit preparedness.

Experience:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a proven record of success in senior finance leadership roles.
• Extensive experience leading high-performing finance functions within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Functional background as a Group Financial Controller, Head of, Director of Finance, or Director of Group Reporting equivalent
• Industry background within Financial Services, Consulting or Professional Services.
• Strong technical accounting credentials, with expertise across IFRS, regulatory compliance and financial governance.
• An influential individual, comfortable operating at Executive and Board level, with the gravitas to build strong stakeholder relationships.