Sinclair James
Interim Chief Financial Officer
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Interim CFO - Business Turnaround & Portfolio Company Support | UK SMEs
Sinclair James has been retained by a UK private equity firm to identify an Interim CFO with a demonstrable track record in leading business turnarounds across their portfolio of SME investments. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused mandate for a finance leader who has repeatedly taken businesses under financial pressure and returned them to stability.
This is a rare opportunity to work directly with a private equity firm and its wider portfolio, providing CFO-grade leadership to SME businesses navigating financial distress, underperformance or operational disruption. Our client welcomes candidates with industry expertise spanning engineering, manufacturing, technology and services, with the SME turnaround experience itself being the priority over sector background.
The Mission
The successful candidate will provide hands-on financial leadership across portfolio businesses, stepping into situations that demand speed, clarity and control. The role requires a finance leader who can rapidly assess a business's financial position, establish control and deliver a credible path to stabilisation and sustainable performance, all within businesses typically under £50 million in revenue.
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Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting rapid financial diagnostics across underperforming or distressed SME businesses
- Leading cash flow management, working capital optimisation and cost restructuring programmes
- Rebuilding financial governance, reporting infrastructure and forecasting capability
- Partnering with the board, private equity investors and senior stakeholders to drive turnaround strategy
- Providing consistent, high calibre financial leadership across multiple portfolio situations as required
Candidate Profile
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- A minimum of five successfully delivered turnarounds within businesses under £50 million in revenue
- Proven track record operating in complex or distressed trading environments
- Prior experience operating in a private equity backed, portfolio or multi site CFO capacity is highly desirable
- Comfortable operating at pace and under pressure, with the gravitas to lead through ambiguity
- Strong track record engaging with boards, private equity stakeholders and lenders
- Open to candidates from a range of industry backgrounds including engineering, manufacturing, technology and services
- Based in London or within commuting distance of the city
Please note: this mandate is specifically for a turnaround and financial stabilisation profile. It is not suited to candidates whose background is primarily in finance transformation, systems implementation or process improvement.
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