Financial Controller in Runcorn

A rare opportunity to shape the financial backbone here at MLR Networks. We are looking for a commercially minded, technically strong and highly credible Group Financial Controller to join our finance leadership team at a pivotal stage in our growth journey. This is a high-impact role for a senior finance professional who wants more than a traditional controllership position: someone who can bring rigour, pace and clarity to the numbers while operating as a trusted partner to senior leadership and the Board.

You will take ownership of the Group’s financial control environment, reporting cadence, governance framework and external reporting requirements, while helping to build scalable finance processes that support future growth. The role offers genuine visibility, influence and progression in an organisation that is evolving quickly and investing in the quality of its finance function.

The Opportunity

This is a key leadership role at the centre of the business. You will be responsible for ensuring the Group has accurate, timely and trusted financial information, strong controls, robust governance and high-quality insight to support commercial decision-making. You will work closely with senior leaders, operational stakeholders and Board Directors to improve management information, strengthen financial discipline and influence the strategic direction of the business unit.

The successful candidate will suit a qualified finance leader who enjoys operating in a fast-paced, changing environment; someone who is equally comfortable getting close to the detail, challenging performance, improving processes and presenting insight at senior level.

What You Will Own

• Financial Reporting, Control and Governance
  • Own and lead the month-end, year-end and Group reporting processes, ensuring reporting is accurate, timely and decision-useful.
  • Prepare and review monthly and annual financial statements, management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis and performance commentary.
  • Strengthen the Group financial control environment, ensuring appropriate governance, policies, procedures and reporting disciplines are embedded across the business.
  • Develop scalable finance processes and infrastructure that support growth, reduce risk and improve the quality and consistency of financial information.
• Commercial Insight, MI and Business Performance
  • Drive improvements in management information, reporting and the use of financial data across the business.
  • Translate financial performance into clear insight, practical recommendations and meaningful challenge for non-financial stakeholders.
  • Work closely with leadership and Operational Board members to support commercial decision-making, KPI performance and business planning.
  • Provide financial analysis that helps identify risks, opportunities, margin improvement, cash implications and operational performance trends.
• Budgeting, Forecasting and Strategic Planning
  • Coordinate and enhance the annual budgeting and forecasting cycles, ensuring assumptions are robust, commercially grounded and aligned to business priorities.
  • Track key financial and operational metrics, providing clear visibility of performance against plan and early identification of emerging issues.
  • Contribute to the wider financial strategy and operational growth agenda, supporting senior leadership with high-quality analysis and financial judgement.
• Audit, Compliance and External Reporting
  • Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, tax advisors and relevant professional advisors.
  • Ensure statutory accounts, external reporting and compliance obligations are delivered accurately and in line with applicable laws, standards and deadlines.
  • Maintain strong audit readiness through disciplined reconciliations, documentation, controls and review processes.
• Cash, Treasury and Working Capital
  • Oversee cash flow forecasting, liquidity management and treasury processes to ensure the business maintains appropriate financial flexibility.
  • Improve visibility and discipline around working capital, payment cycles, receivables, payables and cash conversion.
  • Provide leadership with timely insight into cash performance, funding requirements and financial risk.
• People Leadership and Finance Function Development
  • Lead, coach and develop the finance team, including transactional finance, accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll activity.
  • Set clear expectations, improve capability and create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high-quality delivery.
  • Help shape the future structure, systems and operating model of the finance function as the business scales.

What We Are Looking For

• A qualified accountant, ideally ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.
• Strong post-qualified experience in financial control, financial reporting, accounting leadership or a senior finance management role.
• Proven ability to own month-end, year-end, statutory reporting, audit and control frameworks.
• Experience working in a growing, evolving or transformation-led environment where processes, systems and reporting need to be improved or scaled.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, balanced with commercial judgement and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical capability, with confidence using ERP systems, reporting tools and financial data to produce meaningful insight.
• A hands-on, proactive and pragmatic leadership style, with the credibility to operate at Board and senior leadership level.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex financial information and turn data into a clear story and recommendation.