Case Study - Finance Director
Our Consultant
Miles Gallagher was contact to take on this exclusive assignment.
Background
Our client, a dynamic SME with ambitious expansion plans across APAC and South African markets, recently secured investment from Investec, validating their strategic growth trajectory. Working with a substantial portfolio of over 150 clients, including some of the largest names in pharmaceuticals, the business sought to bolster their senior management team with a Finance Director capable of supporting their vision towards a potential exit, IPO, or trade sale in the next 5–7 years.
Brief
The Finance Director role was designed to be both “hands-on” and strategic, leading the Finance, IT, and HR functions and managing critical projects, including an ERP implementation. With a competitive salary range of £100,000–£120,000, the client sought a candidate with a range of high-level competencies:
- Strong commercial acumen and experience with international tax and factoring agreements
- Effective communication skills, particularly with non-financial stakeholders
- Ability to build trust and lead teams effectively
- Diplomatic approach to problem-solving, with experience in exit transactions
- ERP systems implementation expertise
Methodology
We began by refining the job specification with the CEO, finalising it within two days. Leveraging Wade Macdonald’s extensive 30-year network and the combined 100+ years of experience among our five senior finance recruiters, we utilised a targeted recruitment strategy.
Our methodology was to use a structured, data driven approach combined with qualitative insights to identify the most suitable talent for the client.
This included advertising the role on our website and national specialist job boards and directly messaging 200 additional candidates through LinkedIn Recruiter. This allowed us to identify individuals with the specific skills and attributes necessary for the role, both within and beyond our network.
From our outreach, we developed a longlist of 50 candidates, all of whom were initially screened before conducting in-depth, face-to-face interviews with the top 10. These interviews were based around the competencies we had agreed with the client and we produced balance score sheets to help identify the most suitable candidates.
We then presented a final shortlist of five candidates who best aligned with the technical, cultural, and strategic needs of the business.
Timescales
- Week 1 – Initial client meeting; job description finalised within two days
- End of Week 3 – Shortlist delivered
- Week 4 – First interview stage
- Week 5 – Final interviews
- Week 6 – Offers extended, with support provided through resignation and notice periods
Result
The client and the selected candidate were both highly satisfied with the process. The new Finance Director has become instrumental in driving forward the company’s growth strategy, strengthening their senior management structure, and actively supporting initiatives that align with the business’s future goals. Eighteen months on, the client’s ambitious plans remain on track, backed by a senior team capable of leading the company’s expansion.