At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, drive performance, and support business growth.
- Company: A successful family-owned distribution business with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, quarterly bonuses, company car, and 26 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on strategic growth and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Enjoy genuine autonomy and make a real impact in a growing business.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with experience in finance leadership.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
£85,000–£95,000pa Excellent Benefits: Discretionary Quarterly Bonus (10–15%) + Company Car or Car Allowance + Other Benefits
Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire
Take ownership. Drive performance. Shape the future. Our client is a leading supplier within a specialist product sector, operating a successful buy-and-sell distribution business across the UK and Europe. Family-owned and proudly independent, they have built a reputation for exceptional service, extensive product availability and operational excellence, supported by their own delivery fleet and international distribution network. As they continue to grow and explore exciting acquisition opportunities, they are looking for a commercially minded Head of Finance to take full ownership of the finance function and become a key member of the leadership team. This newly created role offers something increasingly rare in senior finance positions: genuine autonomy. You'll be trusted to lead the finance function, drive improvements, make decisions and support business growth with the backing of an experienced Finance & IT Director who values collaboration rather than micromanagement.
We're particularly interested in speaking with finance leaders who have developed their careers within buy-and-sell, wholesale, distribution, logistics or product-based trading businesses, where managing inventory, margins, working capital and operational performance is critical to success.
Why join? Our client has built a business that combines the stability of a successful family-owned company with the ambition and energy of a growth-focused organisation. Operating from a purpose-built headquarters in Cambridgeshire alongside locations in Glasgow, Armagh and Germany, they serve customers across the UK and Europe through a sophisticated distribution model that places customer service and operational excellence at its heart. This is an opportunity to join a business with significant market share, strong foundations and exciting growth plans already underway. For the right person, this role offers the chance to make a genuine impact—not just within finance, but across the wider business.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the monthly management accounts process, delivering accurate reporting, insightful analysis and meaningful commentary
- Driving budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities across the business
- Managing year-end accounts and acting as the primary relationship holder for external auditors
- Supporting a fast-paced buy-and-sell distribution business with robust financial controls and commercial insight
- Overseeing cash flow, working capital and banking activities to support business performance and growth
- Providing financial analysis around stock, margins and operational performance to support decision-making
- Managing UK tax compliance, VAT, statutory reporting and international compliance requirements
- Maintaining and continuously improving financial controls, systems and processes across multiple locations
- Leading and developing a high-performing finance team comprising a Management Accountant, Accounts Assistant and two Credit Controllers
- Partnering with operational and senior leadership teams to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, profitability and growth
- Playing a key role in supporting the business through its next phase of expansion and potential acquisition activity
About You
We're looking for a finance leader who enjoys ownership, thrives in a commercial environment and wants to play a meaningful role in a growing business.
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
- An experienced finance leader with full ownership of a finance function
- Comfortable making decisions and operating with a high degree of responsibility
- Experienced managing multi-site or multi-entity operations
- Strong technically, with excellent knowledge of UK GAAP, VAT and financial controls
- A confident communicator capable of influencing senior stakeholders
- A hands-on leader who enjoys developing people and improving performance
The ideal background
You'll most likely have built your career within:
- Buy-and-sell organisations
- Wholesale businesses
- Distribution and logistics operations
- Import/export environments
- Product-led trading businesses
- Merchanting or supply-chain-driven organisations
You'll understand the commercial realities of:
- Inventory and stock management
- Margin optimisation
- Working capital management
- Supplier relationships
- Operational efficiency
- Multi-site business performance
Who will thrive here?
This role will suit a finance professional who:
- Wants genuine ownership rather than close supervision
- Takes pride in running a high-performing finance function
- Enjoys identifying improvements and making things better
- Thinks commercially as well as technically
- Brings solutions, not just problems
- Is energised by growth, change and opportunity
If you're currently operating in a wholesale, distribution, logistics or buy-and-sell environment and are looking for a role where you can truly make your mark, we'd love to hear from you.
Package & Benefits
- Salary: £85,000 – £95,000
- Quarterly discretionary bonus (10–15%)
- Company car (following probation) or car allowance
- 26 days holiday
- Genuine autonomy and ownership
- Opportunity to influence strategic growth initiatives
- Long-term career opportunity within a successful, growing business
Ready to take ownership? UBT is partnering with a successful and growing distribution business to appoint an exceptional Head of Finance who is ready to take ownership, drive performance and play a key role in the next phase of growth. If you're an ambitious finance leader looking for a role where your expertise, judgement and leadership will genuinely make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Finance in England employer: Universal Business Team
Join a family-owned business that combines stability with growth, offering a unique opportunity for the Head of Finance to take genuine ownership and drive performance in a supportive environment. With a focus on collaboration and operational excellence, employees benefit from a strong work culture, competitive salary, and a range of perks including a discretionary bonus and company car. Located in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, this role not only allows for personal impact within finance but also contributes to the broader success of a thriving distribution business with exciting expansion plans.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in England
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Universal Business Team. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Universal Business Team.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Universal Business Team's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Business Team
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Universal Business Team.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Universal Business Team will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Universal Business Team employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
