Portfolio CFO and Finance Director Hiring
As a business moves through investment and growth, the demands on the finance function change quickly.
Building the right finance leadership in investor backed businesses
As a business moves through investment and growth, the demands on the finance function change quickly. Reporting becomes more detailed. Forecasting needs to stand up to scrutiny. Decision making relies on clearer insight.
This is often the point where a portfolio company needs stronger finance leadership.
Artemis Clarke supports investors and their portfolio businesses in hiring Finance Directors and CFOs who are used to operating in scaling environments. People who are comfortable working closely with founders, leadership teams and investors, and who can bring structure, clarity and confidence to the numbers.
When portfolio companies typically need senior finance leadership
We are often brought in at key transition points, including:
- Shortly after investment, when reporting and forecasting expectations increase
- When the business has outgrown its existing finance set up
- Ahead of the next funding round
- During periods of rapid growth or change
- As part of preparing for exit
At these moments, the right hire can make a significant difference. Not just in the numbers, but in how the business plans, communicates and performs.
More than a recruitment brief
Hiring a senior finance leader into a portfolio business is rarely straightforward. The role often needs to balance hands on involvement with strategic input. The individual needs credibility with both the leadership team and investors.Â
Because we come from an accounting background, we understand what good looks like inside a scaling finance function. We can help shape the role, sense check the brief and ensure the person hired is right for the stage the business is at.Â
Our process is built around careful assessment, structured interviews and a clear understanding of the environment the individual will be stepping into.Â
Supporting the wider value creation plan
The right Finance Director or CFO can help a portfolio business to:Â
- Improve the quality and consistency of reportingÂ
- Strengthen forecasting and cash visibilityÂ
- Support better commercial decision makingÂ
- Build confidence with investors and lendersÂ
- Prepare the business for future funding or exitÂ
We focus on introducing people who are comfortable operating in that space and who have experience of scaling SMEs.Â
For more detail on how we approach senior finance hiring, you can also explore our pages on hiring a permanent Finance Director or CFO and our candidate assessment process.Â
Let’s start with a conversation
If you work with growth stage businesses and want a partner who understands finance from the inside, we would be very happy to connect.
Sometimes the right first step is a hire. Sometimes it is interim support. And sometimes it is simply a conversation to sense check what the business needs next.
What matters is getting the finance leadership right at the moments that count.
Contact Details
London: 020 8191 2124
Bristol: 0117 244 1891
Email: enquiries@artemisclarke.co.uk
