Group Finance Director

Cedar is currently partnered with a PE-backed, international technology-led business to help them secure an Interim Group Finance Director. The group operates across 10+ legal entities in multiple jurisdictions and has scaled materially under private equity ownership. This is a 6-9 month interim assignment, Central London-based, paying £900-1,100 per day, outside IR35.

The Interim Group Finance Director will sit at the centre of the value agenda, working closely with the CEO, board, and PE sponsor as the business sharpens performance and prepares for a potential sale within the next 12 months.

The CompanyThis PE-backed business has evolved from its origins within a larger corporate group into a scaled, international standalone platform. Under private equity ownership, the business has invested heavily in growth, operating capability, and geographic expansion, resulting in increased complexity across the group.

As attention turns toward exit planning, the emphasis is on clarity, control, and commercial insight. Finance is expected to deliver investor-grade reporting, credible forward-looking analysis, and a financial narrative that will withstand transaction scrutiny.

The RoleThe Interim Group Finance Director will own the group finance agenda across 10+ international entities, combining technical rigour with commercial and corporate finance input. This is a highly exposed role with direct influence over value creation and exit readiness.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership of the group finance function, setting clear standards around control, pace, and accountability.
• Enhancement of consolidation, close, and reporting processes to deliver clean, defensible, PE-quality numbers.
• Elevation of FP&A into a forward-looking, decision-led function, covering budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and scenario modelling.
• Development of board and investor reporting packs with clear performance drivers and risks.
• Input into capital structure considerations, including cash optimisation, leverage metrics, and covenant reporting.
• Ownership of audit, statutory reporting, and coordination of tax and compliance across jurisdictions.
• Preparation of the finance function for sale, including data room build, diligence support, and management presentations.
• Acting as a senior commercial partner to the CEO and sponsor on pricing, investment decisions, and value creation initiatives.
• Building and driving a high-performing finance team with clear expectations and accountability.

Your Profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with prior experience as a Group Finance Director or CFO.
• Background in PE-backed, investor-led, or complex international group environments.
• Sector experience in SaaS, software, or technology-enabled businesses is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong track record of delivering investor-grade reporting, robust controls, and commercially credible FP&A.
• Exposure to capital structures, leverage, and transaction-led environments.
• Commercial, decisive, and credible at board and sponsor level.

Compensation & BenefitsThis Interim Group Finance Director assignment offers £900-1,100 per day, outside IR35, for an initial 6-9 month period, based in Central London.

The mandate offers:

• A central role in shaping the financial narrative ahead of a PE exit.
• Direct exposure to a private equity sponsor and board-level stakeholders.
• Meaningful influence over reporting quality, commercial insight, and capital structure.