Chief Finance Officer – Card Payments (Neo Bank M&A)

Location: London / UK / Remote

Duration: Flexible on the Consultant availability (potential to extend or become permanent)

Start Date: ASAP

Reporting to: CEO and Board of Directors

Company Overview: Our client is an ambitious neobank operating in the digital payments space, offering card-based financial services through a scalable SaaS-driven infrastructure. As we enter a pivotal stage of growth and strategic fundraising, we are seeking a commercially minded Interim CFO to provide expert leadership across finance, fundraising, and global financial operations.

Role Overview: The Interim CFO will be a key member of the leadership team, providing financial direction, managing investor relations during the fundraise, and ensuring robust financial governance. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in card payments, fintech, or banking SaaS startups, with proven exposure to managing teams across both Europe and the US.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fundraising & Investor Relations: Lead all financial aspects of an upcoming fundraising round (Series A/B or equivalent). Prepare detailed financial models, investor pitch materials, and support data room readiness. Act as the key finance contact for current and prospective investors, both institutional and strategic. Partner with legal, commercial, and external advisors to support due diligence and deal structuring.
• Strategic Financial Management: Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to define and execute the financial strategy. Provide insight-driven recommendations to support decision-making, scaling, and capital allocation. Lead scenario planning, forecasting, and long-term financial planning aligned to business objectives.
• Financial Operations & Reporting: Oversee day-to-day financial operations including accounting, budgeting, tax, and treasury. Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with local and international standards (e.g. UK GAAP, IFRS). Establish and improve internal controls and finance processes for scalability and regulatory readiness. Coordinate audits and regulatory compliance (e.g. FCA, PSD2, EMD/PI licensing if applicable).
• Team Leadership & International Coordination: Lead, support, and mentor a small finance team (in-house or outsourced). Work closely with cross-functional teams across Europe and the US to ensure alignment in financial operations and reporting. Help build the finance function for scale, including the potential recruitment of permanent leadership.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience as a CFO, Interim CFO, or Finance Director in a high-growth fintech, card payments company, or SaaS banking platform.
• Deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, revenue recognition models, and financial regulation in fintech.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading fundraising rounds, ideally at Series A/B stage or similar.
• International experience working with teams and investors across the US and Europe.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to represent the company externally.
• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) preferred but not essential if experience aligns.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, founder-led startup environment.

What We Offer: A strategic leadership role at a critical time of growth and opportunity. Flexible working with remote collaboration across international teams. Exposure to high-level fundraising and investor engagement. The chance to make a meaningful impact on the trajectory of a cutting-edge neobank.