Chief Financial Officer – Data Services (Confidential Search)
Location: Central London
Compensation: £180k + package
SMC0204
Company Overview
This is a confidential search for a rapidly growing data services business currently generating c.£10m in revenue. The company is scaling through a combination of organic growth and targeted M&A, with a private equity investment anticipated in the near term. As the organisation prepares for this next stage, it requires a highly hands‑on, operationally focused Chief Financial Officer to professionalise the finance function, build scalable systems and controls, and guide the business through the upcoming investment cycle.
The CFO will be a key partner to the CEO and Board, playing a central role in shaping financial strategy, driving operational rigour, and establishing the financial foundations required for accelerated growth and value creation in a data-led, technology‑enabled environment.
Role Summary
The CFO will lead the financial strategy and build a robust finance function capable of supporting both rapid organic expansion and ongoing acquisition activity. They will introduce discipline across reporting, controls, cash management, and forecasting, while implementing systems that enable scalable, data‑driven decision making.
A critical part of the role will be preparing the business for private equity investment-owning the financials through the pre-deal phase, managing external advisors, and ensuring the organisation is diligence‑ready. Post investment, the CFO will drive integration of acquired businesses, deliver performance insights, and partner closely with the CEO and Board on capital allocation, pricing, and long‑term commercial planning.
Candidate Profile
- Proven CFO or senior finance leader within data services, or adjacent tech‑enabled B2B sectors.
- Demonstrated experience professionalising a finance function in an entrepreneurial, fast‑growth environment.
- Strong background in M&A including due diligence, financial modelling, execution, and integration.
- Comfortable operating in a pre‑PE or newly PE‑backed environment, with experience preparing a business for investment a significant advantage.
- Highly hands‑on and operational, with the ability to introduce rigour across reporting, controls, systems, and cash management.
- Strong commercial insight with fluency in data‑driven KPIs, recurring revenue metrics, unit economics, and customer‑centric performance indicators.
- Experience implementing new finance systems, processes, and analytical tools to support scale.
- Ability to work closely with functional leaders across data, product, sales, and operations.
- Resilient, pragmatic, and comfortable working in a dynamic, founder‑led culture.
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA or equivalent professional qualification.
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