Chief Financial Officer | Private Equity-Backed | Technical & Outsourced Services in Essex

Philanthrope Partners has been retained to appoint a Chief Financial Officer for an established, lower mid-market, private equity-backed business providing technical and outsourced services across the UK.

The business has developed into a successful national operating platform, with longstanding customer relationships, an experienced management team, established operational infrastructure and significant new contracts already secured. Having completed a successful previous investment cycle, it has recently entered its next phase of private equity ownership, with considerable opportunities for further growth.

The foundations are already in place. The opportunity now is to build on an established and successful business, ensuring that substantial new contracts translate into profitable growth, stronger cash generation and long-term shareholder value.

The incoming CFO will work closely with an established Chief Executive and experienced private equity shareholders, bringing independent financial judgement, commercial insight and strategic perspective to the decisions that shape the business's future.

They will lead and develop the existing finance team, combining strategic financial leadership with hands-on involvement, while contributing directly to commercial performance, operational effectiveness and investment decisions.

For an experienced CFO, this offers the opportunity to lead another meaningful investment cycle in a business where their contribution can make a tangible difference. For an exceptional Finance Director, it represents the chance to step into full CFO responsibility and develop alongside a growing business.

This is an opportunity to join a successful business with genuine momentum, a clear commercial opportunity and the ability to make a lasting contribution to its next stage of development.

The Opportunity

The position combines full financial accountability with considerable scope to influence commercial performance, investment decisions and long-term value creation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Financial leadership and governance: Lead financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, controls and risk management, providing clear analysis and independent advice to the CEO, board, investors and lenders.
• Contract growth and commercial performance: Work closely with operational management to support the profitable mobilisation of new contracts, lead reviews of contract profitability and assess commercial proposals against actual performance. Bring financial insight to pricing, resource commitments and the economics of delivery to inform future commercial decisions.
• Operational effectiveness: Partner with operational management on resource utilisation, scheduling, productivity, service quality and the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Cash, working capital and funding: Lead cash forecasting, liquidity and funding requirements, with particular attention to the process from completed work through billing to cash collection, including billing lag, debtor days and working capital.
• Investment and strategic development: Bring financial and commercial rigour to decisions involving people, operational capacity, technology and future growth opportunities, balancing ambition with sound investment judgement.
• People and capability: Lead and develop the existing finance function, with oversight of HR through the established management structure. Build on existing capabilities as the business develops.

The Person

The appointment could suit an established CFO from a lower mid-market private equity-backed business or an exceptional Finance Director ready to assume full CFO responsibility.

The emphasis is on capability, judgement, personal contribution and potential, rather than job title alone.

Relevant operating experience is essential. Candidates should have held substantial financial leadership responsibility within a contracted, labour-intensive field or multi-site services business, with demonstrable understanding of contract profitability, resource utilisation, cost to serve and working capital.

Candidates should also bring direct experience of working with private equity investors and senior stakeholders, including personally presenting financial analysis, challenging assumptions and contributing to significant commercial or investment decisions.

We are particularly interested in people who have personally influenced financial and commercial outcomes, rather than simply reported on them.

Relevant backgrounds may include technical services, engineering, infrastructure support, maintenance, facilities services and other comparable contracted-service businesses. An exact sector match is not essential where the underlying commercial and operational experience is transferable.

The successful candidate will combine strong accounting and financial foundations with exceptional numerical and analytical ability, commercial curiosity and sound judgement.

They will be comfortable working hands-on within a growing business, developing others and building trusted relationships with operational colleagues, the CEO and institutional shareholders. They will bring the confidence to challenge constructively, the integrity to exercise independent judgement and the ability to distinguish what matters commercially.

Above all, we are looking for someone with the experience to contribute immediately and the ambition, capability and potential to grow with the business over its next investment cycle.

Remuneration and Location

The indicative package comprises a base salary of £120,000–£140,000 and an annual bonus opportunity up to 25%. The package also offers the potential for management equity participation, subject to separate agreement.

The position is based in Essex and requires regular on-site engagement with the management team. Practical working arrangements will be discussed during the selection process.

The Search

This is a confidential retained appointment managed by Philanthrope LLP.

The employer's identity and further information about the opportunity will be shared during confidential discussions with relevant candidates.

The closing date for expressions of interest is 20 November 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

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