At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, manage reporting, and support M&A activities in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Private equity-backed logistics group focused on automotive and aerospace sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, management incentive scheme, and influence over company transformation.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performing finance team and engage directly with top executives.
- Why this job: Join a senior leadership team during an exciting growth phase with real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance leadership and business transformation.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
Our client is a private equity-backed logistics and business operations group serving the automotive and aerospace sectors, specialising in high-value product. Recently separated from a large corporate parent, the business is entering an ambitious growth phase - including a buy-and-build acquisition strategy - and investing heavily in its systems, processes and people.
We are seeking a Group Head of Finance to lead the finance function day-to-day, acting as principal deputy to the CFO and a senior member of the leadership team - building a finance function from the ground up while contributing directly to acquisition strategy and the shift to standalone, private equity-backed ownership.
Key Responsibilities- Own financial control, reporting and compliance: management accounts, balance sheet control, statutory reporting, budgeting/forecasting, cash and treasury, tax, and the external audit relationship.
- Prepare board, investor and lender reporting, including KPI and covenant packages for the private equity sponsor.
- Act as commercial partner to the CEO, CFO and leadership team, providing analysis on pricing, contract profitability, and route-level margins.
- Lead systems and process transformation, including ERP/finance system selection, automation, and separation from the former parent (exit from transitional service agreements, new banking/insurance/payroll infrastructure).
- Support M&A activity: due diligence, integration planning, and financial modelling for the buy-and-build strategy.
- Build and lead a high-performing finance team, positioning finance as a commercial enabler rather than solely a reporting function.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
- Experience at Finance Director / Head of Finance level, or ready to step up, within a private equity- or investor-backed business.
- Strong technical grounding in financial control, reporting and compliance, with experience managing the external audit relationship.
- A track record of business change - carve-outs, systems implementation, restructuring, or rapid growth - and of building and developing finance teams.
- Confidence operating close to a CFO, CEO and PE investor, with a hands-on, pragmatic, execution-focused style.
- Desirable: a logistics, transport or freight background; MBO or comparable ownership-transition experience; ERP implementation; or prior exposure to a private equity sponsor.
A seat on the senior leadership team during a defining period of independent ownership and growth, genuine influence over transformation and M&A activity, and direct engagement with the CFO, CEO and private equity investor. Competitive salary and benefits, including participation in the management incentive scheme, commensurate with experience - full package details on application.
All applicants must have an unrestricted right to work in the UK as our client will not support visa sponsorship for this role.
Group Head of Finance in Derby employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Finance in Derby
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Finance in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to All The Top Bananas.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
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How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with All The Top Bananas.
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Since this is a full-time position, employers at All The Top Bananas will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former All The Top Bananas employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
