Finance Director

Harper May is working with a growth-stage financial services firm backed by institutional investors and operating across multiple regulated jurisdictions. The business has scaled significantly over the past three years and is now maturing its operating model-tightening financial governance, building depth in strategic planning, and establishing clearer accountability across the leadership structure. They are now seeking a Finance Director to anchor financial discipline, guide capital allocation, and provide trusted counsel to the executive team.

The Role Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and partnering with senior leadership, the Finance Director will own financial planning, reporting, and controls across the group. This is a hands-on role that blends technical rigour with strategic influence-you will shape how the business measures performance, manages risk, and deploys capital in a regulated context. Develop and own the financial strategy, linking performance metrics to business goals and investor expectations Build and lead end-to-end budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis processes Establish robust control frameworks, compliance reporting, and audit readiness across all entities Partner with the COO and Board to assess capital requirements, investment decisions, and M&A opportunities Oversee statutory and management accounting, including preparation of consolidated financial statements Lead, coach, and expand the finance team as the business grows Manage external relationships-auditors, regulators, lenders, and advisers What we are looking for ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with at least ten years in senior finance roles Demonstrated experience in financial services, insurance, or other regulated sectors Hands-on technical skill in consolidation, statutory reporting, and regulatory compliance Track record of designing and embedding financial controls and governance frameworks Comfortable operating at executive and board level;

able to simplify complex topics for non-finance stakeholders Commercial mindset-you think beyond the numbers and understand business drivers