CFO

London, United Kingdom | Posted on 24/03/2026

Out client is a pioneer in privacy-first, on-premise AI solutions. They are seeking a visionary and results-driven Chief Financial Officer to architect the commercial and financial foundations of the local-deploy sovereign AI platform.

This is a co-founder-level strategic role designed for a financial pioneer. You will move the company from an early-stage disruptor to a global scale-up, immediately leading multi-billion dollar negotiations across diverse geopolitical landscapes, particularly in European and Asian markets. This is not a traditional finance role; you will define the economic paradigm for a new generation of AI, where financial and operational complexities are deeply intertwined with advanced technology, sovereign data requirements, and geopolitical realities.

Pioneering Commercial Model Design: Architect foundational, value-driven pricing strategies for our local-deploy products. You will invent new economic frameworks for a nascent market, encompassing perpetual licensing, tiered subscriptions, node-based models, and bespoke industrial sector agreements.

Strategic Infrastructure Cap Ex/OpEx Management: Develop and optimise the full hardware lifecycle (Cap Ex) and operational expenditure (OpEx) strategies for distributed, on-premise Sovereign AI deployments, including localised maintenance, advanced SLAs, and supply chain resilience.

Mastery of International Finance & Geopolitical Compliance: Lead complex financial engineering and regulatory adherence across the UK, EU, HK, Taiwan, and China. Ensure unparalleled mastery of UK HMRC regulations, R&D tax credits, and sophisticated global transfer pricing strategies within a sensitive geopolitical context.

Architecting Market Stability & Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify, quantify, and mitigate financial risks stemming from evolving trade regulations, AI export controls, and geopolitical shifts. Design robust frameworks to ensure operational continuity and capital security across strategically critical global regions.

Pioneering Digital Twin Indemnity: Architect a first-of-its-kind risk and insurance framework that quantifies and manages the financial liability associated with potential errors impacting real-world physical assets and critical infrastructure.

Hyper-Growth & Sophisticated Capital Allocation: Drive aggressive fundraising initiatives, cultivate robust investor relations, and lead data-driven capital allocation strategies to fuel our rapid global expansion and sustain technological leadership.

Financial Architect & Visionary Leader: 10+ years of progressive financial leadership, with demonstrated experience pioneering commercial models for Software Licensing, Industrial Tech, and SaaS platforms in high-growth environments.

Global Navigator with Geopolitical Acumen: Deep, proven expertise navigating the intricate regulatory, tax, and trade landscapes of the UK, EU, and Greater China, coupled with an innate understanding of geopolitical impacts on financial strategy.

Sovereign AI Mindset & Strategic Operator: A profound comprehension that "privacy-first" and "local-deploy" AI demands entirely different financial structures, operational models, and risk management strategies than traditional cloud-based solutions.

Proactive & Process-Driven Executive: A proven track record of proactive strategic engagement and a meticulous approach to complex evaluation processes, recognising the critical value of executive time and the efficiency required for high-stakes, fast-paced environments.