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February 4, 2023

CFO Headhunters in London

By execcapital

Finance Directors and Chief Financial Officers are our specialty we are a London based recruitment service that specialises in Part-Time and Full Time senior financial professionals. Our podcast episodes discuss topics that are of interest to employers and prospective FD’s and CFO’s alike.  FD Capital is the sister company of Exec Capital.

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FD Capital is a specialist London-based boutique financial recruitment agency that recruits Finance Directors and Chief Financial Officers on a part-time and full-time basis. Our podcast episodes offer a fresh perspective on the evolving role of CFOs and FDs across various industries, approaching subjects from the point of view of business leaders and financial executives.

In the latest episode of the FD Capital podcast, Adrian Lawrence discusses the role of CFO headhunters in recruiting more suitable and high-quality candidates than transitional recruitment services. The podcast also focuses on the launch of our popular FD and CFO headhunting services, expanding FD Capital’s recruitment services to offer a 360-degree approach to FD and CFO recruitment.

CFOs are becoming an invaluable part of the C-suite team. They’ve earned the nickname of ‘Chief Future Officer’ with many acting as the second-in-command to their CEO. We’re seeing more CFOs stepping into the shoes of their CEO, providing companies with stability and more cohesion.

Strategic CFOs and FDs are enabling companies to navigate the current geo-political and economic challenges, including the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic’s impact on supply chains. Recruiting a senior financial executive is an investment that will pay for itself.

Why Companies are Actively Recruiting CFOs

Gone are the days when CFOs come strictly from accountancy backgrounds. Today’s CFOs come from diverse backgrounds, bringing their experience and knowledge to companies in new ways. CFOs are increasingly specialising in forward-thinking niches, from human resources to data science and technology.

They’re increasingly leveraging the potential of AI and automation to provide real-time data and better transparency, including utilising tools such as Microsoft’s Power Business Intelligence.

CFOs provide strategic advice to their CEO through both growth periods and economic uncertainty, including navigating the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The evolution of the role of CFO means that companies can define the position to suit their individual needs. The rise of flexible working is also seeing CFOs increasingly operating on a part-time, interim, and remote basis. Their skills and knowledge are becoming more accessible than ever for start-ups and SMEs.

What is CFO Headhunting?

CFO headhunters are specialist recruiters who lead every stage of the recruitment process with a streamlined approach. They use a proactive strategy for hiring, while traditional recruitment utilises a reactive strategy. A headhunter will reach out to candidates on the company’s behalf, including high-quality passive candidates who are not actively applying for new opportunities.

Headhunters have a wider talent pool of candidates to draw from, especially as more candidates become interested in remote and hybrid CFO opportunities. Most headhunters will specialise within an industry or niche to nurture a talent pool of candidates and keep their finger on the industry’s pulse.

Companies will typically choose to use a headhunter when recruiting for senior roles, including C-suite positions. FD Capital is a specialist headhunting service for Finance Directors and Chief Financial Officers.

By comparison, traditional recruitment operates with a reactive strategy. It includes advertising the position to candidates who are actively seeking new opportunities.

Why CFOs Work with Headhunters

Most CFOs and senior financial executives will have a working relationship with at least one headhunter to keep their career options open, even when they’re currently in employment.

Benefits of working with a specialist headhunter include:

  • More Career Opportunities

Headhunters recruit for positions that are not widely advertised, including for well-known companies and potentially lucrative start-ups. CFOs have more exposure to potential career opportunities by working with a headhunter.

  • Spend Less Time Applying for Jobs

Headhunters streamline the recruitment process for CFOs. They’ll spend less time actively applying for jobs as the recruiter will seek out opportunities on their behalf.

  • Career Advice and Feedback

CFO headhunters provide career advice and feedback by offering CV advice and recommendations on how to make your portfolio more appealing to potential employers.

  • Headhunters are Invested in Your Professional Success

Our CFO headhunters at FD Capital are invested in your success. Headhunters are highly motivated to find the right candidate for a position and are committed to helping their candidate progress up the career ladder.

Why Use a CFO Headhunting Service?

Headhunting is available for companies of every size and is often a more cost and time-effective option for smaller organisations than going down the traditional recruitment process. Suitable candidates can be identified quickly, making it ideal for organisations that require a quick turnaround.

Working with a headhunter enables the CEO to lay out exactly what they want from their CFO. It enables the headhunter to search for the ideal candidate and to find the CFO who can form a winning partnership with the CEO and be the right fit for the company.

Headhunters provide companies with access to passive candidates who wouldn’t be exposed to the position if advertised traditionally. A specialist headhunter will have a talent pool of high-quality candidates within their network who they can recommend candidates to interview or short-list.

One overlooked benefit of headhunting is its discretion. It’s ideal for companies that do not want to publicly advertise their position, whether due to competitor interest or an unexpected CFO exit.

Our headhunters can recruit CFOs on a part-time, full-time, or interim basis. We have a talent portfolio who have experience working for start-ups, SMEs, and multi-national PLCs.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a critical role in any organation, including those in London. London is a global financial and economic hub, with a diverse range of businesses, from startups to multinational corporations, and the role of the CFO in this context is of great significance. Here are some key aspects of the role of a CFO in London:

Financial Strategy and Planning: The CFO is responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies that align with the company’s overall goals. This includes long-term financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. In London, where economic conditions and market dynamics can be highly competitive and dynamic, a CFO must be agile in adapting financial strategies to changing circumstances.

Risk Management: London’s financial markets are exposed to various risks, including economic, regulatory, and geopolitical factors. The CFO plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating these risks. This involves ensuring the company has robust risk management policies and practices in place to protect its financial interests.

Capital Management: CFOs in London often oversee capital management, including decisions related to debt financing, equity financing, and investment strategies. They need to be well-versed in the complexities of financial markets to make informed decisions about capital allocation.

Regulatory Compliance: London is subject to a complex and evolving regulatory environment, particularly in the financial services sector. CFOs must ensure their companies comply with relevant financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements.

Financial Reporting: The CFO is responsible for producing accurate and timely financial reports, which are essential for both internal decision-making and external stakeholders, such as shareholders, investors, and regulatory bodies. Transparency and accuracy are critical in London’s financial landscape.

Mergers and Acquisitions: London is a hotspot for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity. CFOs play a central role in evaluating potential M&A opportunities, conducting due diligence, and structuring deals that maximize value for the company.

Investor Relations: In a city with a thriving investment community, CFOs are often the face of a company to investors. They are responsible for communicating financial performance, strategy, and outlook to shareholders and analysts.

Technology and Innovation: The CFO’s role is increasingly influenced by technology and data analysis. London-based CFOs need to stay abreast of financial technology trends, leveraging data analytics and automation tools to enhance financial decision-making and reporting.

Cost Management: Controlling costs is a key part of the CFO’s role in London, where the cost of living and doing business can be high. Effective cost management is critical for maintaining profitability and competitiveness.

Economic Insights: CFOs in London should have a strong understanding of global and local economic trends and their potential impact on the company. Keeping an eye on factors like Brexit, exchange rates, and international trade dynamics is essential.

The role of a CFO in London is multifaceted and demanding, given the city’s status as a financial and economic center. A successful CFO in London must combine financial expertise with a deep understanding of the local and global business landscape, while also adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of the financial markets and regulatory environment.

How Can FD Capital Help?

FD Capital is the UK’s leading financial recruitment agency, specialising in FD and CFO recruitment. Our team are based in Great Portland Street in London and offers a full portfolio of recruitment services, including CFO and FD headhunting.

We’ve launched our CFO headhunting service to connect companies with passive candidates and deliver guaranteed results in a short time frame. Our team includes headhunters with knowledge and experience recruiting specialists CFOs in industries like human resources, technology, and venture capital.

Our headhunters have access to an extensive talent pool of candidates throughout the UK and beyond. FD Capital’s headhunting services are a cost-effective recruitment option for companies of all sizes looking to recruit a Chief Finance Officer or Finance Director.

Sign up for our CFO and FD headhunting services by contacting our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or 020 3287 9501.