Chief Financial Officer – Private Equity-Backed Care Group
We are partnering with a private equity-backed, multi-site care provider entering a critical phase of transformation, turnaround, and value creation.
With a clear mandate to stabilise performance, drive operational improvement, and position the business for a future sale, the group is seeking a high-calibre Chief Financial Officer to sit on the Executive Board alongside an ambitious CEO and investor group.
This is a pivotal, board-level leadership role with genuine ownership over the financial strategy, capital structure, and ultimate exit of the business.
The Opportunity
- Own the financial strategy and turnaround of a complex, multi-site care portfolio
- Drive performance across occupancy, fee strategy, agency control, and cost optimisation
- Build robust financial controls, reporting, and cashflow management fit for institutional ownership
- Partner as a peer with the CEO, Board, and PE investors on strategy, value creation, and exit planning
- Lead M&A activity, due diligence, integration, and refinancing
- Own capital strategy, banking relationships, and investor reporting
- Build and lead a high-performing finance function fit for scale and sale
- Act as the primary finance voice to the Board and investor group, including preparation for exit (trade sale, secondary buyout, or IPO)
The Mandate
This is not a steady-state CFO role. You will be brought in to:
- Diagnose and address underperformance across the group at pace
- Improve visibility, grip, and accountability across financial and operational metrics
- Professionalise systems, reporting, and governance to institutional/PE standards
- Own and deliver a clear value creation plan aligned to a medium-term exit
- Act as a trusted advisor and challenge function to the CEO and investor Board
The Candidate
- Proven experience as CFO, Finance Director, or senior Financial Controller within a multi-site, operationally complex environment
- Hands‑on approach is essential — this is a role requiring both boardroom credibility and operational grip
- Strong track record leading turnaround, transformation, or performance improvement at senior finance leadership level
- Prior experience in private equity-backed businesses is essential, including exposure to exit processes, investor reporting, and value creation planning
- Deep understanding of cash, working capital, and operational levers in a service-led business
- Credible operator — comfortable in the detail, but able to lead at Board and investor level
- Essential: experience gained within care homes, social care, or a closely adjacent healthcare setting, with fluency in the sector's key operational and financial metrics (e.g. average weekly fee, occupancy, fee mix, agency spend as a % of payroll, EBITDAR per bed)
- Experience leading or closely supporting M&A, refinancing, or exit transactions
Why This Role?
- True impact role with direct visibility and influence at investor and Board level
- Full ownership of the finance function through a complete turnaround and exit journey
- A rare opportunity to shape the strategic and financial direction of a business at a pivotal inflection point
Chief Financial Officer in Reading employer: Soka Partners
Join a well-established and growing dental group that prioritises patient care and regulatory excellence, making it an exceptional employer for compliance professionals. With a supportive and collaborative leadership team, you will benefit from ongoing professional development and training opportunities while working in a hybrid role that offers flexibility and the chance to make a meaningful impact across over 40 dental practices in the South East.
