Group Finance Director - UK

Drive Financial Leadership Across a Multi-Entity Consumer and Distribution Group

Our client is a long-established, UK-based consumer products and distribution group operating across multiple entities and international markets. The business designs, sources and distributes a broad portfolio of consumer goods to major retail and wholesale customers, supported by a well-invested operational infrastructure and a diverse leadership team.

With a strong balance sheet, consistent profitability and an appetite for continued growth, the group is now entering a new phase of development focused on operational efficiency, systems optimisation and strategic expansion, including potential acquisition activity.

To support this next stage, the organisation is seeking to appoint a Group Finance Director to lead financial strategy, strengthen systems and processes, and act as a key partner to the executive team and shareholders.

The Role

This is a senior leadership role within a multi-entity, operationally complex environment, requiring a commercially minded finance leader who can combine strategic input with hands-on delivery.

The Group Finance Director will

• Act as a strategic partner to the Group CEO, Managing Directors and Board, supporting performance and long-term direction
• Lead and develop the finance team, embedding a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned to the wider business
• Oversee consolidated group reporting across multiple UK and international entities, ensuring clarity, accuracy and insight
• Strengthen financial systems, processes and controls, leveraging and optimising ERP capability (Microsoft Business Central)
• Drive process improvement and operational efficiencies across finance and the wider business
• Provide robust financial analysis and commentary to support decision-making and performance visibility
• Lead cash management and working capital optimisation across the group
• Support strategic planning, business cases and evaluation of new opportunities, including potential acquisitions
• Ensure delivery of statutory reporting, audit processes and regulatory compliance
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisers and shareholders

The role requires an individual comfortable operating in a fast-moving, evolving environment, balancing operational involvement with strategic influence across a diverse group structure.

The Person

We are seeking a commercially focused and systems-driven finance leader with the credibility to operate effectively at Board level within a multi-entity business.

You will bring

• Proven experience as a Finance Director or Group Finance Director within an SME or mid-market environment
• Full professional accountancy qualification (FCA, ACCA or equivalent)

Strong background in managing and consolidating multi-entity group structures

Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and engage finance teams

High levels of systems and IT literacy, with experience driving ERP optimisation and process improvement

Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to translate financial information for non-finance stakeholders

Experience working closely with Managing Directors and Boards to support decision-making

A hands-on approach, with the ability to operate effectively across both strategic and operational levels

A proactive, resilient mindset suited to a complex and evolving business environment

Experience within consumer products, manufacturing, import/distribution, wholesale or hard goods environments would be advantageous.

The Opportunity

• Base salary £130,000 - £150,000
• Salary dependent on experience
• Bonus and comprehensive benefits package, including pension and private healthcare
• Direct exposure to Board and shareholder stakeholders
• Opportunity to influence systems, process improvement and operational efficiency at group level
• Involvement in strategic growth initiatives and potential acquisition activity
• A key leadership role within a well-capitalised, profitable and evolving business

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