Head of Finance in Surrey

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Finance to lead our finance function and help shape the company's next stage of growth.

The Grounds Care Group is one of the most respected landscaping and grounds care companies in the South East of England.

We pride ourselves on the proven track record and reputation we have developed over the years when creating and maintaining stunning yet practical landscapes for a range of commercial premises.

We always deliver on our promised and consistently provide a high level of service for all our clients from design and concepts to implementation.

We offer a variety of ground care solutions and services including grounds maintenance, gritting and snow clearance, small works, site clearance, vegetation management, tree works, wildlife and security fencing and invasive weed control, including Japanese Knotweed removal.

The Head of Finance is responsible for the leadership, management and continuous improvement of all financial operations across the business.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the role combines strong financial stewardship with commercial insight and strategic leadership.

Delivering high-quality performance and management accounting is a central focus of the role.

The Head of Finance will ensure the business has robust financial controls, accurate reporting, effective cash management and high-quality performance information to support decision-making.

The role will play a critical part in shaping business strategy, supporting growth initiatives, evaluating and executing mergers and acquisitions, and preparing the business for a potential future shareholder exit, sale, investment transaction or other corporate event.

The position reports directly to the CEO/Founder and acts as a trusted adviser to the Board and senior management team.

• Financial Leadership & Control
• Lead all aspects of the finance function, ensuring efficient, accurate and compliant financial operations.
• Develop and maintain strong financial controls, policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, tax and reporting requirements.
• Oversee financial risk management and appropriate internal controls.
• Manage external relationships with auditors, banks, insurers, legal advisers and tax advisers.
• Maintain appropriate working capital and treasury management processes.
• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Produce timely and accurate monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
• Develop meaningful KPIs, dashboards and performance reporting to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Provide analysis and insight on profitability, margins, project performance, cash flow and operational efficiency.
• Deliver robust financial modelling and scenario planning to support business decisions.
• Business Performance Management
• Provide commercial and financial insight to the Chairman, Managing Director and senior leadership team.
• Develop reporting frameworks that improve visibility of business performance.
• Monitor and challenge operational performance against budgets, forecasts and strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities for margin improvement, cost optimisation and enhanced operational efficiency.
• Support business unit leaders in understanding financial performance and driving accountability.
• Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
• Maintain detailed cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Optimise working capital performance, including debtor management, supplier terms and project cash conversion.
• Ensure sufficient funding and banking facilities are maintained to support growth objectives.
• Monitor covenant compliance and lender reporting where applicable.
• Strategic Planning
• Contribute actively to the development and execution of the company's strategic plan.
• Provide financial leadership on growth initiatives, investments and new business opportunities.
• Support the Managing Director and Board with strategic analysis and decision-making.
• Evaluate business performance against long-term strategic objectives.
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Lead financial evaluation of acquisition opportunities.
• Prepare business valuations, financial models and investment appraisals.
• Coordinate financial due diligence processes.
• Support negotiation and execution of acquisitions, mergers, investments and strategic partnerships.
• Lead financial integration planning and post-acquisition performance monitoring.
• Exit Readiness & Corporate Transactions
• Play a leading role in preparing the business for a potential future sale, management buyout, private equity investment or other exit event.
• Ensure financial reporting, controls, governance and data quality meet investor and buyer expectations.
• Support vendor due diligence and transaction processes.
• Work closely with external advisers throughout any transaction process.
• Develop and maintain financial models and materials required for investor engagement.
• Team Leadership
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Ensure appropriate succession planning and capability development within the finance function.
• Promote strong collaboration between finance and operational teams.
• Systems & Process Improvement
• Drive continuous improvement across finance processes and reporting systems.
• Lead finance-related technology and systems development initiatives.
• Improve automation, reporting capability and management information quality to a consistently high, decision-ready standard.

Ensure financial systems support business growth and operational efficiency.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role.

Experience

• Proven experience leading a finance function within an SME or mid-sized business.
• Experience within contracting, construction, engineering, infrastructure, technical services or project-based environments preferred.
• Strong management reporting, budgeting and forecasting experience.
• Demonstrable experience of business partnering and providing strategic financial advice.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, corporate transactions, investment activities or business exits highly desirable.
• Experience managing external audits and statutory reporting requirements.
• Knowledge & Skills
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking capability.
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management capability.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into practical business insight.
• Experience of ERP and financial reporting systems.
• Strong understanding of UK financial reporting, taxation and regulatory requirements.
• Fluent in finance systems and processes, with proven ability to review, select and implement new systems as the business scales.
• Personal Attributes
• Commercially minded and results focused.
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail.

Credible and influential leader.

• High levels of integrity and professionalism.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
• Capable of balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.
• Success Measures
• Timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Strong cash flow and working capital performance.
• Delivery of budget and forecast accuracy.
• Effective financial controls and governance.
• High-quality management information supporting decision-making.
• Successful execution of strategic projects and transactions.
• Readiness for future investment and acquisition opportunities.
• Development of a high-performing finance team.

Benefits

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank holidays
• Parking on site
• Birthday off work
• Pension
• Opportunity of Growth Shares