Financial Director in Preston

Sowena Group has been retained by a high growth, award winning, boutique professional services firm headquartered in Lancashire. The business is on an impressive growth trajectory with clear plans to continue to scale significantly over the coming years, whilst preparing for future private equity investment. There is now a requirement for a commercially astute Finance Director to join the leadership team at this key stage of the company's evolution. The role requires someone who can operate strategically at board level, while remaining firmly hands-on in an SME environment, comfortable rolling up their sleeves, building structure, and driving best practice through the detail.

The Opportunity: As Finance Director, you will take ownership of the full finance agenda, combining strategic leadership with day-to-day involvement in financial operations. You will provide forward-looking insight, strengthen forecasting and controls, and act as a trusted business partner to the senior leadership team. This role will suit a candidate from an SME or entrepreneurial environment who understands that strategy and execution go hand in hand.

• Strategic & Hands-On Financial Leadership: Lead the finance function end-to-end, setting financial strategy while remaining closely involved in core finance activities, reporting, and controls.
• Forecasting & Financial Planning: Own budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management, delivering clear, accurate, and actionable insight to support growth and decision-making.
• Controls & Governance: Design, implement, and enhance robust financial controls, processes, and reporting frameworks appropriate for a scaling SME.
• Commercial Partnering: Work closely with the senior leadership team to evaluate performance, support strategic initiatives, and provide pragmatic financial challenge.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and manage strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisers, banks, and other third parties, communicating financial information clearly and credibly.
• Operational & Profitability Focus: Identify opportunities to improve margins, operational efficiency, and financial discipline across the business.
• Systems & IT Oversight: Take an active role in systems development, process automation, and data quality improvement.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, embedding accountability, continuous improvement, and a high-performance culture.

• Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent.
• SME Experience: Proven experience in a senior finance role within an SME, owner-managed, or high-growth business, gained ideally within a professional services/sales led environment.
• Strategic Capability with Practical Delivery: Comfortable operating at board level while remaining hands-on with forecasting, controls, and core finance processes.
• Forecasting & Controls Expertise: Strong track record in financial planning, cashflow management, and building effective control environments.
• Stakeholder Management Strength: Confident communicator with the ability to influence, challenge, and support senior stakeholders.
• Commercial Mindset: Pragmatic, commercially focused, and solutions-oriented.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving business where structure is being built and priorities can shift.

This role is ideally suited to a Finance Director who is capable of combining strategic influence with hands-on ownership, and who is motivated by making a tangible impact within a growing SME.