Financial Director (London Area)

Finance Director, London – Board-Level Leadership

Are you a commercially sharp, forward-thinking Finance Director ready to make a meaningful impact in a purposeful and people-led, high-growth business?

Our client is a market-leading, independent London events, venue and corporate hospitality caterer entering an exciting new chapter of opportunity. With robust growth behind them and bold ambitions ahead, we’re looking for a dynamic Finance Director with in-depth experience in the contract catering sector to shape and drive the next phase of their journey through building and enhancing their financial platforms to empower strategic decisions and fuel sustainable success.

About the Role

As the Finance Director, you’ll be part of the executive leadership team, working closely with the Founder, Chair, MD and peers across brand, people and operations. This isn’t a back-office role — you’ll need to be both hands-on in the day-to-day detail and a key voice in shaping our client’s commercial direction, delivering strategic insight and ensuring the business has the financial clarity and agility to seize every opportunity.

You’ll lead a well-established finance function, with scope to reshape the function as needed to support future goals. With a Finance Manager and outsourced accounts and payroll support in place, you’ll have the support and scale to focus on high-value strategic priorities.

We’re not looking for someone to maintain the status quo. We want an inquisitive, energetic leader who thrives in a collaborative culture, and is motivated to build new processes, challenge assumptions, and create a financial strategy that’s as ambitious as the brand.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the creation and delivery of our client’s finance and accounting strategy
• Collaborate with the Board and leadership team on strategic planning and financial modelling
• Own and present Board reports, KPIs, and detailed commercial analysis that supports decision-making across all departments
• Develop robust annual budgets, 5-year plans, and detailed cash flow forecasts
• Guide corporate finance activity including funding, acquisitions, tax planning and capital structure
• Ensure financial systems, policies and reporting frameworks are fully compliant and future-fit
• Prepare and deliver management accounts, statutory reports, and other key financial outputs
• Foster a high-performing, motivated finance team that’s aligned with the company’s mission and values.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
• Proven track record as a Finance Director or senior finance leader in growth-focused contract catering businesses (events and/or B&I)
• Commercially sharp with excellent business acumen and a strategic mindset
• An inclusive, ego-free leader who thrives in a collaborative, cross-functional team
• Natural communicator, able to engage finance and non-finance audiences alike
• Passionate about building agile, scalable financial systems and structures
• Customer-focused, solutions-driven and comfortable balancing ambition with operational pragmatism
• Tech-savvy with strong systems and analytical skills
• A “can do and will do” mindset — someone who gets stuck in and delivers.

Why Join Our Client?

• Be part of a values-driven business with a bold vision and a loyal, growing customer base
• Work with a dynamic and supportive leadership team that values input, collaboration, and fun
• Own a Board-level role with real influence on strategic decision-making
• Lead a strong, well-resourced finance function with scope to shape it for the future