Our CFO Executive Search Services

Businesses rarely appoint a CFO because everything is running smoothly.

More often, something has changed.

Growth has accelerated. Investors are asking new questions. Reporting requirements have increased. The business is preparing for acquisition, expansion, or transformation.

These moments require financial leadership that goes beyond reporting and compliance. They require a CFO who can provide commercial insight, strategic direction, and confidence at board level.

We support boards, founders, investors, and leadership teams to identify and secure CFOs aligned to the next phase of the business.

Discuss a CFO Appointment

 

The Search for the Right CFO

The role of the CFO has evolved significantly.

Today’s CFO is expected to contribute far beyond reporting and financial control. They are strategic advisors, commercial leaders, risk managers, and key partners to the CEO, board, and investors.

The strongest CFOs combine financial expertise with commercial judgement. They understand growth, operational performance, governance, transformation, and stakeholder management.

Many CFO appointments are made during periods of change. The organisation may be scaling, preparing for investment, integrating an acquisition, improving profitability, or planning for exit.

In these situations, finding the right leadership capability becomes critical.

Secure the financial leadership needed for your next phase of growth

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Discuss a CFO Appointment

When Organisations Appoint a CFO

Most CFO searches begin when something changes.

Common situations include:

  • Private equity or external investment is secured
  • The business is preparing for acquisition or exit
  • Rapid growth requires stronger financial leadership
  • Profitability comes under pressure
  • Governance requirements increase
  • International expansion creates complexity
  • A founder-led business requires more structure
  • Succession plans need to be activated
  • The current leadership model no longer fits the organisation

These are not routine hires. They are decisions that influence performance, investor confidence, and future growth.

Why Organisations Consider Financial Leadership Change

Organisations rarely say:

“We need to replace our CFO.”

More commonly, they say:

  • We need stronger financial leadership
  • We need more commercial insight
  • We need better reporting and visibility
  • We need leadership for the next phase of growth
  • We need experience of investment, acquisition, or exit
  • We need to strengthen governance

In many cases, the business has evolved and requires a different level of financial leadership.

What Success Looks Like

A successful CFO appointment delivers more than financial control.

The right appointment can lead to:

  • Improved profitability and financial performance
  • Greater commercial visibility
  • Stronger governance and reporting
  • Increased investor confidence
  • Better decision-making across the business
  • Improved cash flow and financial discipline
  • Stronger support for growth, acquisition, or exit plans

The best CFOs create clarity, confidence, and accountability throughout the organisation.

What Happens When Financial Leadership No Longer Fits?

As businesses grow, financial requirements become more complex.

The CFO who was right for one stage may not be right for the next.

When financial leadership capability no longer aligns with business requirements, organisations often experience:

  • Reduced financial visibility
  • Slower decision-making
  • Weak forecasting and planning
  • Profitability challenges
  • Investor concerns
  • Governance gaps
  • Difficulty managing growth

These issues rarely appear overnight but can have significant long-term consequences if left unresolved.

Testimonials

Novo ran a highly professional and thorough search process, bringing forward an impressive list of candidates for our consideration

RECCo

 

We were delighted with Novo’s work and efforts. Theye significantly contributed to achieving our goal. We therefore would have no hesitation in recommending Novo to any other organisation looking for help or advice in executive recruitment.

Chiorino UK Ltd

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

 

As a result of Novo’s commitment and hard work we have acquired five very good businesses; a great team effort. We plan to embark on a third round of acquisitions next year and will have no hesitation in choosing Novo as a partner.

Clearsprings Support Services Ltd

Accessing the Right Candidates

The strongest CFO candidates are already operating in comparable environments.

They are leading finance functions, supporting CEOs and boards, managing investor relationships, and helping organisations navigate growth and change.

They are not actively applying for roles and are highly selective about opportunities.

Reaching these individuals requires a targeted executive search approach, deep market knowledge, and established relationships across senior finance leadership markets.

Maintaining Continuity During Transition

In some situations, organisations appoint an interim CFO while a permanent search is completed.

This can provide stability, maintain investor confidence, and support critical financial projects during periods of change.

 

Considering growth, investment, or financial leadership change?

Discuss your CFO requirements with our executive search team in confidence

Discuss a Confidential CFO Appointment

How We Support the Appointment

Our executive search process is designed to support confident leadership decisions.

Discovery: We begin by understanding the organisation, financial challenges, growth plans, stakeholder expectations, and leadership requirements.

Search: We identify and engage relevant candidates through targeted research and established executive networks.

Assessment: We assess candidates against your specific requirements, including financial expertise, commercial capability, leadership style, governance experience, and cultural fit.

Engagement: We support the process through to acceptance, including negotiations, stakeholder management, and transition planning.

Onboarding: We remain involved following appointment to support alignment and early success.

Why Organisations Choose Novo for CFO Recruitment

Chief Financial Officer appointments often sit at the centre of growth plans, investment activity, acquisitions, succession events, and business transformation.

At Novo Executive, we support organisations through these decisions with a structured, discreet, and research-led approach.

Financial Leadership Expertise: We understand the different demands placed on CFOs across growth businesses, private equity-backed organisations, listed companies, and founder-led businesses.

Experience Across Growth and Change: For more than two decades, we have supported organisations through investment, acquisition, transformation, succession, and leadership transition.

Global Reach: We operate across the UK, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, providing access to senior finance leaders across multiple markets.

95% Placement Success Rate: Our retained executive search assignments consistently deliver successful outcomes because we prioritise relevance, fit, and long-term performance.

Professional Standards: As members of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), we adhere to recognised standards of ethics and professional practice.

CFO Appointments Across Multiple Sectors

Financial leadership requirements vary significantly between sectors.

A CFO in a private equity-backed technology business faces different challenges from a CFO in manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or professional services.

We recruit CFOs across many sectors including:

We focus on identifying finance leaders with the sector expertise, commercial capability, and leadership experience required for your specific context.

Our CFO Executive Search Specialists

jon hollier

Jon Hollier

dale perrett

Dale Perrett

matt searle

Matthew Searle

matt searle

Matthew Searle

Director

Matthew is a Director at Novo Executive Search specialising in helping clients identify and attract the best possible senior management and executive appointments. Matthew’s early career began with 10 years...

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dale perrett

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Dale is one of the Founding Directors of Novo Executive Search and Selection. He is part of the Novo leadership team that drives the business. He remains passionate about working...

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jon hollier

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Jon is a Founding Director of Novo Executive Search & Selection. Beyond establishing and developing Novo, his extensive experience covers a wide range of disciplines across commercial and the third...

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Case Studies

Global Presence

A Global Network for CFO Recruitment

Today’s CFOs often operate in international environments.

Cross-border operations, overseas investment, international reporting requirements, and global stakeholder management have increased demand for finance leaders with international experience.

We have placed CFOs across the UK, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, helping organisations access the financial leadership capability required for increasingly complex markets.

Access International Finance Leadership Talent

Discover how we can help you appoint exceptional leadership talent for your business

Book a confidential call with one of our executive search Directors

Book a call

 

Current Chief Financial Officer Roles

Chief Financial Officer (Manufacturing Sector)
Salary: Competitive Base + Package

Our client is a well known food and beverage sector manufacturing business based in the North West (UK) that is looking to recruit a suitably experienced Finance Director, to work closely with the Managing Director on growing the organisation.…

  • CFO/FD Finance/Risk
  • Consumer Products and FMCG
  • North West
Job Ref No: CFO GW 10/25
Date Added: 21-10-2025
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Chief Financial Officer
Salary: excellent package

Our client is a successful and well-respected £multibillion industrial and technology group. The company has enjoyed exceptional growth in recent years and fully expects the current growth to continue. The company benefits from significant resources and experience offered by being part of the larger Group, a diverse, market leading and international organisation.…

  • CFO/FD
  • Engineering
  • South West England (GB)
Job Ref No: CFO DP 5/25
Date Added: 15-05-2025
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Finance Director
Salary: Competitive Base Salary + Package

This client company is an engineering design, manufacturing and supply business that is looking to grow significantly over the next 5 years. The business works across a broad range of sectors with blue chip and well-known customers and has a solid pipeline for the foreseeable future.  …

  • CFO/FD
  • Construction and Property Engineering Manufacturing
  • North Wales (GB) & North West
Job Ref No: FD GW 06/24
Date Added: 27-06-2024
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Commercial & Finance Director
Salary: Competitive Base Salary + Package

This client company is an engineering design, manufacturing and supply business that is looking to grow significantly over the next 5 years. The business works across a broad range of sectors with blue chip and well-known customers and has a solid pipeline for the foreseeable future.  …

  • CFO/FD
  • Construction and Property Engineering Manufacturing
  • North Wales (GB) & North West
Job Ref No: CFD GW 06/24
Date Added: 06-06-2024
This job has now been successfully concluded.
Finance Director
Salary: Exceptional

Our client is a well-known and respected multinational consumer brand. This company successfully operates in nearly 100 countries worldwide and has tens of thousands of individually owned and licenced/franchised operations.…

  • CFO/FD
  • Consumer Products and FMCG
  • London (Greater) (GB)
Job Ref No: FD DP 02/24
Date Added: 01-02-2024
This job has now been successfully concluded.

Insights

Find Your Next CFO

Whether you are preparing for investment, strengthening governance, improving performance, planning succession, or supporting growth, the right CFO can have a significant impact on the future of your organisation.

We help boards, founders, investors, and leadership teams identify and secure CFOs capable of delivering long-term value.

Define Your Financial Leadership Requirement