Interim CFOs & Leaders for PE Portfolio Companies

Q: How quickly can you place an interim CFO in a portfolio company?

Where the brief is clear and agreed with the investor, often within a few weeks. Interim CFOs with portfolio experience are in demand, so an early conversation helps.

Q: Do you work directly with PE operating partners?

Yes. We regularly brief with operating partners as well as portfolio company boards, and keep both informed throughout the process.

Q: Can an interim executive stay through to exit?

Sometimes. Some interim assignments are extended through an exit process. In other cases, the interim prepares the business and hands over to a permanent appointment. We will discuss the best approach with you at the start.

Interim and Fractional Leadership for Private Equity

Investment changes what a business needs from its leadership team, often overnight.

The value creation plan sets new targets. Reporting expectations increase. The pace changes. Gaps that were manageable before the deal now carry real risk.

Interim and fractional executives give PE-backed businesses the experience they need straight away, while the long-term leadership structure is decided.

Novo works with investors, operating partners and portfolio company boards to find leaders who understand investor-backed environments and the accountability that comes with them.

Private Equity Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Planning leadership changes after a deal?

Talk to us in confidence about the portfolio company and the leadership it needs.

Call now

Email now

Private Equity Specialist

George Woodward

Director

Planning leadership changes after a deal?

Talk to us in confidence about the portfolio company and the leadership it needs.

Call now

Email now

Private Equity Specialist

Jo Watkins

Director

Planning leadership changes after a deal?

Talk to us in confidence about the portfolio company and the leadership it needs.

Call now

Email now

Strengthen portfolio leadership quickly

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Discuss a Portfolio Appointment

Why PE-Backed Businesses Use Interim Leaders

Interim leadership is often most valuable immediately after a transaction.

Speed: experienced leaders in post quickly, often within weeks
A defined mandate: clear objectives linked to the value creation plan

Investor reporting: leaders who know what investors expect and how to deliver it
Time to decide: the board can design the permanent team properly rather than rushing an appointment

An interim executive can also cover the gap if a member of the existing management team leaves after the deal.

Interim CFOs for Portfolio Companies

The finance function is often the first to feel the change.

The first 100 days after a deal: New reporting requirements, cash discipline and a finance team that may need strengthening, all at once.

Reporting to the investor: Monthly packs, forecasts and covenant reporting that the investor can rely on.

Preparing for exit: Clean numbers, a clear equity story and a finance function that will stand up to due diligence.

Read more about interim CFO recruitment.

Fractional Leaders for Smaller Portfolio Companies

Not every portfolio company needs a full-time CFO or COO.

Smaller and earlier-stage portfolio companies often need investor-grade reporting and senior oversight before they need a full-time executive.

A fractional CFO can provide that one to three days a week, and help the business decide when a full-time appointment makes sense.

Testimonials

Thank you very much for your involvement in identifying our new Product Development Director and managing a very smooth process. This was a significant recruitment process for our business, and I am very pleased with how it has gone from start to finish.

Animalcare

Novo’s Legal Team were retained to recruit a Partner. Through a targeted and comprehensive headhunting assignment process Novo were successful in appointing an excellent Partner for the practice.

Bray & Bray Solicitors

“My personal experience with Novo was really good. They had all the information I needed whilst being professional, discreet and considerate, which ultimately made the whole process extremely smooth.” Account Director, Catalina Marketing

Catalina Marketing

Novo supported us with carefully selected executive and non-executive search campaigns; all three roles were successfully filled. Thank you.

Central Bedfordshire Council

Novo brought real market knowledge and identified leaders who matched both our
operational and cultural requirements to appoint a new CEO. I would gladly
recommend their executive search expertise.

Chief Executive Officer, International Contract Logistics Provider

Jo Watkins worked with me at ASOS. The quality of candidates exceeded our
expectations. Jo and her team managed the Supply Chain Director search with
confidence, insight and excellent communication from start to finish.

Chief Operating Officer, International Fashion Retailer

Interim and Fractional Roles Across Portfolios

Beyond finance, we find interim and fractional leaders across the portfolio company leadership team, including:

For permanent appointments, see our private equity executive search service.

Working with
Operating Partners

We brief with both the fund and the portfolio company, so everyone agrees what the role needs to deliver.

We keep the operating partner and the company board informed throughout the search and the assignment, and we handle sensitive changes with discretion.