Head of Finance - Commercial Finance Leadership | Aldenham Estate

Help Shape the Future of One of Hertfordshire’s Most Diverse Family-Owned Estates Not every Head of Finance role is simply about reporting the numbers. Some are about helping shape the future of a business. This is one of them. Aldenham Estate is a long-established, family-owned business with a diverse portfolio spanning residential and commercial property, London Elstree Aerodrome, Home Farm Glamping, farming, events and sustainable land management.

As the Estate continues to evolve, we are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to join the leadership team. This is an opportunity to influence strategic decisions, strengthen commercial performance and modernise the finance function - while remaining close enough to the detail to make a genuine impact. If you are equally comfortable producing insightful financial reporting, challenging assumptions, supporting investment decisions and driving business improvement, we would love to hear from you.

The Role at a Glance Head of Finance Aldenham Estate | Elstree, Hertfordshire Predominantly On-Site with Flexibility £85,000–£100,000 DOE Full Time | Permanent Reporting to:
Directors / Owners Business:
Diversified Family-Owned Estate | Property | Aviation | Glamping | Events | Farming | Sustainable Land Management Your Background /

Skills:

Finance Leadership, Commercial Finance, Strategic Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting, Cash Flow Management, Business Improvement, Finance Systems, Multi-Entity Accounting and Stakeholder Management Culture:
Informal, flexible and family-friendly, with an emphasis on outcomes, collaboration and connection to the wider Estate About Aldenham Estate Located in Elstree, Hertfordshire, on London’s northern doorstep, Aldenham Estate has been farming, developing and diversifying since the early 1600s. Today, the Estate brings together residential and commercial property, London Elstree Aerodrome, Home Farm Glamping, farming, events, filming locations and sustainable land management.

Operating through a number of companies, partnerships and trusts, the Estate combines deep-rooted family ownership with an ambitious approach to long-term stewardship. Its vision is to ensure sustainability on all fronts - increasing biodiversity, creating employment space and making the Estate more accessible through new amenities, activities and events. The Estate is now investing in stronger financial systems, reporting and controls to support its next phase of sustainable growth.

The Opportunity This is not a traditional Head of Finance role focused purely on governance and historic reporting. You will become a trusted adviser to the Directors, helping shape commercial decisions while leading the finance function through its next phase of development. Working alongside an experienced finance team, you will lead strategic financial direction, business planning, commercial performance and systems transformation across a varied, multi-entity organisation.

You will also remain hands-on when required, ensuring financial information is accurate, meaningful and capable of supporting confident decision-making. A key priority will be strengthening management information and leading the replacement of Sage 50, including improved integration with Re-Leased and clearer, more consistent finance processes. About You You are an experienced finance leader who wants to contribute to the commercial direction of a business - not simply report historic results.

Commercially curious and pragmatic, you will be comfortable navigating a family-owned, multi-entity environment where everything may not fit neatly into a standard corporate structure. You will be equally confident presenting to Directors, evaluating investments, improving systems and rolling up your sleeves when required. You’ll Likely Bring
• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional qualification
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role
• Strong commercial finance expertise spanning budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and investment appraisal
• Hands-on experience producing management accounts, Board reporting and financial analysis…