CFO PE-Backed Professional Services Group (Buy & Build to Exit)

Marks Sattin; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a PE-backed professional services group seeking a seasoned CFO to partner with the Board and investors through the Buy & Build strategy.

The role covers evaluating acquisition opportunities, financial due diligence, deal execution, funding, and integration, plus providing financial and commercial insight to drive performance and governance upgrades across the group.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/ACMA credentials.
• Seasoned CFO with PE-backed business experience.
• Experience in professional services, legal services, B2B services, or similar people-led environments.
• Proven track record in leading and delivering M&A including due diligence and integration.
• Experience supporting founder-led businesses through professionalisation, governance upgrades.
• Strong analytical, commercial, technically strong, with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management, able to move quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the acquisition strategy and evaluate opportunities.
• Conduct financial due diligence and manage deal execution.
• Secure funding and oversee integration.
• Provide financial and commercial insight to the Board and PE investors.
• Identify performance improvement opportunities across the group.
• Strengthen governance, reporting, systems and processes.

Skills

CFO experience

M&A leadership

PE-backed familiarity

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Analytical

Communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/ACMA

Job description

CFO PE-Backed Professional Services Group (Buy & Build to Exit)

Hybrid – 2 days/week in office

Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a PE-backed Professional Services business operating within an attractive and resilient market. The business has established significant scale, generating in excess of £10m EBITDA, and is backed by a highly regarded private equity investor. The business is now entering an exciting phase of development, with a clear Buy & Build strategy and further opportunities through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, with an ambition to triple EBITDA and deliver a successful exit. The business is seeking a seasoned CFO to work closely with the Board and PE investors through this next phase.

The CFO will take a lead role across the acquisition strategy. This will include evaluating opportunities, financial due diligence, deal execution, funding, and integration, working closely with the Board, investors, and advisers throughout the process. Alongside M&A, the CFO will provide financial and commercial insight across the existing business, supporting performance improvement and helping identify opportunities to create further value across the group.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned CFO to join an established PE-backed business with significant scale and a strong market position, with the opportunity to play a key role in the next stage of its Buy & Build strategy and broader value creation.

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/ACMA)
• A seasoned CFO with a successful track record within a PE-backed business
• Experience within professional services, legal services, B2B services, or a similar people-led or service-based environment
• A successful track record of leading and delivering M&A, including acquisition evaluation, financial due diligence, deal execution, funding, and integration
• Experience supporting a Founder-led business through a period of professionalisation, including strengthening governance, reporting, systems, and processes
• Highly analytical, commercially astute, and technically strong, with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate at pace and drive change

All approaches will be treated in strict confidence.

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.