Fractional Finance Director (1 Day per Week)

Location: Sandbach, Cheshire (on-site)
Day Rate: 600 (PAYE or LTD)
Start Date: From 1 April 2026 (earlier start considered)

We are acting as an introductory agent on behalf of a long-established, privately owned business operating within the design sector.

With a current headcount of circa 53 employees and 2025 turnover of 6.05m, the business has a clear strategic ambition to scale sustainably to 7.m+ in 2026 supported by strong EBITDA performance. The business is values-led, environmentally conscious and focused on long-term sustainability, both commercially and operationally.

This is a board-facing, hands-on Finance Director role, operating on a one-day-per-week basis, designed to bring objectivity, challenge and commercial rigour into the leadership team. You will act as a trusted right-hand advisor to the Managing Director and shareholders, taking ownership of the finance function while providing strategic oversight and governance. This role carries real influence and accountability, rather than being purely advisory in nature.

• Take full ownership of management accounts, reporting accuracy and financial discipline
• Strengthen financial governance, controls and accountability at board and shareholder level
• Act as a commercial sounding board, constructively challenging decisions and assumptions
• Provide clarity and discipline around cash management, spend and shareholder drawings
• Support the existing finance team (Accounts Manager plus two team members)
• Improve data quality, insight and visibility to enable informed decision-making
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and performance tracking
• Support growth from 5m to 10m turnover, ensuring financial scalability
• Advise on systems strategy (current Sage 50; ERP considerations from 2027 onwards)
• Protect and enhance long-term enterprise value

This role will suit an experienced Finance Director or Fractional FD who thrives in SME, owner-managed environments and is comfortable operating with autonomy and authority.

You are likely to bring:

• Proven experience at FD / Board level, ideally within SMEs ( 5m- 20m turnover)
• A track record of supporting growth, governance and commercial decision-making
• The confidence to ask difficult questions and challenge constructively
• A pragmatic, independent mindset with no emotional attachment to outcomes
• Strong technical and commercial finance capability
• Experience working with existing finance teams and external advisors
• Exposure to system scalability and infrastructure planning

Formal qualifications (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) are advantageous but not essential if supported by demonstrable FD-level experience.

• Commitment: 1 day per week
• Day Rate: 600
• Engagement: PAYE or LTD
• Location: Sandbach, Cheshire (on-site)
• Lunch provided on working day
• On-site parking available

This is a high-impact, low-days commitment opportunity to partner with a stable, growing business at a pivotal stage of its journey. The board is open to challenge, values independent thinking and is actively seeking a finance leader who will take ownership rather than simply report numbers.