Job Description

Brief Candidate Opportunity Brief Position: Finance Director Reporting to: Managing Director Confidentiality: N/A

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group) are a leading Executive search and talent advisory firm specialising in the following sectors:

• Rail & Transportation
• Civils & Construction
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Technology & Cyber Security
• Logistics & Intermodal Freight
• Defence

Our search directors, search consultants and in house research team specialise in retained opportunities at the highest level of organisational leadership and management.

Our success is based upon a blend of trust-driven relationships, robust market knowledge, and working practices that ensure the best possible alignment of organisational need with experience and personal ambition.

Working with business leaders on bespoke assignments for over a decade, we understand exactly what our customers expect from an executive search and talent advisory service – whether there is a pressing business need for an executive interim or that of a long-term permanent appointment - Ford & Stanley Executive Search provide the solution.

We have been exclusively appointed on a retained search for a Finance Director.

Below you will find a ‘Candidate Opportunity Brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Head of Ford and Stanley Executive Search, Research Manager of Ford and Stanley Executive Search, Managing Director of our client, Recruitment Partner of and Partner of parent company.

This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents, and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

Client Opportunity Statements: 

“My client has been a key player in the overhaul space for many years. We have consistently delivered profits and are now at a time where we are investing in our business to take it from ‘good’ to ‘great’. A key part of that journey is the hiring of a commercially astute FD who can partner our MD and work strategically to drive sustainable growth”

“It’s imperative that our incoming FD is able to act as a true ‘co pilot’ to our Managing Director and act as the guiding force from a financial perspective as we continue to grow the business and place increased emphasis on Customer Service and optimised operations. We expect our FD to take full ownership of financial strategy, profitability, cash flow and future planning”

“In addition to being the right hand and sounding board to our Managing Director, we envision our new FD being the ‘link’ with our owning group on future planning for any potential investments, acquisitions and sales. We operate a ‘relaxed’ culture and as such a good proactive communicator is a must!”

Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:

• The business benefits from an exceptionally high average tenure and whilst this adds significant value it also presents a challenge in that at times new methodologies and ways of working can take their time to be introduced.
• My client has recently gone through a restructure and consolidation of multiple locations into This has caused some nervousness and apprehension across the business. It’s imperative that the leadership team move to reassure and align all staff members to the business journey.
• There is a large difference in capability from the FD to those in the Finance As a result, the incoming FD will need to be able to operate both strategically and in a hands-on manner.

Key deliverables within the first 12 months include: 

• Ensure that the business achieves it’s financial goals alongside the MD (£3m EBITDA within three years).
• Design and take full ownership of the financial
• Develop relationships and a robust business understanding that enable you to be a true ‘co-pilot’ to the

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

Working Arrangements & Location:

Based 4 days per week at HQ in Nottinghamshire.

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Pre-Submission Process:

• First Engagement: A short engagement and introductory conversation to position the opportunity, gauge candidate early interest level and arrange a time and date for a more detailed NDA sent (if applicable) upon receipt of signed NDA - Candidate Opportunity Brief shared.
• Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where candidates and executive search consultant explore and discuss the opportunity brief. Candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the key essentials and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstance. The search consultant will utilise the information captured during candidate discovery to start to build your profile on Recommendations may be made at this point for adjustments or updates to your CV.
• The ‘shortlist’: Shortlisted candidates, having taken time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the clients business are reengaged where they are asked to provide additional specific information on their suitability (if/where applicable). Final checks of key notes, package details and logistical alignments made. Finishing touches are then made to your profile prior to submission along with our notes and recommendations.

Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: Teams / Face-to-Face interview with MD & parent company
• 2nd Stage interview: Teams / Face-to-face interview with a member of the Parent company Board and others on the leadership team.

Good to know:

• The PE House has owned my client for a significant amount of time and for the majority of their ownership have seen the business operate with strong levels of growth and profitability.
• This role is a replacement for the previous incumbent, who has moved on from the There is currently an interim in post until the end of June/July.
• Ultimately, the incoming Finance Director will have full ownership of the strategic direction of the Financial strategy for the business.
• It’s worth noting that the business recently conducted a reorganisation that saw them move to a single site operation with the aim of improving operational efficiency and customer experience.
• The role will cover all areas of commercial, sales, bidding and business development from a financial perspective.
• It’s expected that there will be a mix of ‘hands-on’ and ‘strategic’ responsibility within the role, with an emphasis on the strategic leadership and ‘ownership’ of the financial strategy.
• The role comes with a team of 5 direct reports within the Finance team (4 APAR & 1 Part Qualified Finance HR and IT also report to this position. There are internal talks regarding HR reporting to the MD in the future. There will be opportunities to grow and build this function as you see fit.
• They have recently gone through a business restructuring in the last 12 months after ‘standing still’ in the last 10 years, which has seen growth flatline and profitability turning into a break-even.
• It’s worth noting that although the business isn’t operating at the levels it has historically, this is not a ‘turnaround’ in the usual sense and instead about transforming a business with a strong foundation into a profitable, growing
• Central to embarking on a journey of growth is a strong focus on customer service and doing things differently.
• They have recently hired a new MD to inject energy and a different way of working into the business, with them viewing the FD as the 2ndmost important hire on their
• The business prides itself on its staff and has seen a number of staff with the business for over 10 years, and even 2nd-generation staff. There is pride across the business in what they do.
• The business is looking to not only looking to grow its market share in current markets but also diversify into new markets, with Rail being viewed as a great
• Looking for a FD who not only can look after A&R, Transactional Finance & reporting numbers, but also has experience in value creation within SME Businesses.

Budget:

Low: £120,000 Mid: £135,000 High: £150,000

Supporting benefits

• Company car / Car Allowance
• Performance linked bonus of up to 20% of salary;
• Private healthcare;
• 33 days holiday allowance;
• 5% matched employer pension contributions through salary sacrifice scheme;
• Paid professional subscriptions;
• Employee Assistance

Executive Search Delivery Team:

• Tom Norton – Head of Executive Search: (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Consulting, Networking, Shortlisting)
• Oliver Nunn – Research Manager: (Headhunting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)
• Emma Barlow – Senior Associate: (Market intelligence, longlisting)
• Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant: (Data, diary management and coordination)