Finance Director Recruitment | FD Search Consultancy

Finance Directors (FDs) have the ability to make or break a business. The guardian of the balance sheet, they will be aware of the risk in every number. Confidence in the Finance Director breeds confidence in the business.

Trusted by industry leaders

FD Recruitment Services

Headstar have an in-depth understanding of the role and importance of a Finance Director, as many of the team have successfully acted as a Finance Director themselves. They know that the role encompasses so much more than just risk management and compliance. We believe a good FD is effectively a translator and an artist, able to build trust with non-financial managers while turning numbers into pictures and words, making the complex simple. With the increasing importance of data in businesses, a good FD has a cross-functional responsibility to collect & share data, turning it into value. Above all though, their role is to drive profitability and cash generation, all the while supporting the Managing Director in public, while challenging them in private.

"I have worked with James and the team at Headstar for some years now. The service is first class, underpinned by James' knowledge of the market and a very professional approach to a task in hand. I would have no hesitation in recommending James and the team to anyone at any stage!"

"James and his team really take trouble to understand the businesses and their requirements for specific skills they require in their new recruits. Amongst all agencies I know his ranks number one for Finance recruits at a Senior level."

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Portfolio Finance Director. It was a very easy decision at interview to bring them on as part of the senior management team. They are brilliant to work with and combine a pragmatic, hands-on approach with simple and direct strategic insight.”

How Our Process Works

The importance of this role means that you’ll need more than just a single pair of eyes on it. At Headstar, we combine our experience of the FD role with our attention to detail in cultural fit and management of a recruitment process. What does this mean? You’ll work with a highly experienced Recruitment Consultant as your main point of contact and they will be supported by one of our Consultant Finance Directors throughout the process, ensuring that not only will shortlisted candidates have been thoroughly tested on cultural alignment, but also on the technical aspects of the role, giving you greater confidence in both the ability of the candidate to thrive in the role on all aspects.

Our FD Recruitment Network

It’s no understatement to say that Finance Directors prefer speaking to other Finance Directors rather than Recruiters! In this regard, Headstar have successfully built a network of excellent FDs across the country. We regularly arrange events and forums to provide our FD network with up-to-date technical advice, but also help and support in their networking efforts and access to other professional advisors. As a result, Headstar consultants have become trusted advisors to the FD network and are able to speak confidentially and credibly to a broad cross-section of candidates.

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Our qualified FDs would love to help you find the best finance recruitment solution for your team.

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Industries We Work In

The skills and abilities of Finance Directors are often transferable to a variety of sectors. There are, however, often great lessons to be learned from the work of complementary businesses. Many of our FD network have specialised in a particular industry, while others have spread their skills over multiple sectors. Whether your search requires a particular skillset or you’re open to a breadth of skills, we can advise on the right type of individual and draw up shortlists to suit. From manufacturing to marketing, engineering to entertainment, property to pharmaceuticals, construction to computing and almost every industry in between, Headstar have successfully placed FDs in a multitude of industries.

Case Studies

With the incumbent Finance Director retiring after 25 years’ service, the appointment of an FD was something the business had clearly not had to do in a long time. Whitby SF chose Headstar as their partner for this search as they valued openness, transparency and a deep expertise of the market. Location was the obvious challenge as the candidate pool is not a large one around the Whitby area. In partnership with the client, we drew up a detailed candidate briefing pack and devised an alluring advertising campaign, showcasing the uniqueness of the opportunity within this long-established, successful family business. The result was a shortlist of 5 engaged & highly relevant Finance Directors. Advising the client throughout the subsequent interview process, we were able to land upon 2 candidates whom the client would have been delighted to appoint. Selecting their preferred candidate, the offer process was then a smooth one and the new FD has transitioned into the business well.

A global $3m US-listed business, MRC were looking to appoint a Vice President of International Finance for their $400m business units outside of the US. A key appointment and one where the understanding of a matrix organisation as well as the management of teams across multiple countries was required. Having experience of this kind of appointment in the past, Headstar was chosen as the partner in the search for this role. Through our weekly steering meetings, we were quickly able to agree upon a shortlist of 4 outstanding candidates for the role. Through this process, 2 of whom were identified as the strongest cultural fit and the successful candidate was offered and accepted just 4 weeks after the commencement of the search.

James Roach

Managing Director
Executive Search

Simon Webster

Director
Advisory & Portfolio

Jenny Martin

Associate Director
Executive Search & Senior Finance

Natalie McGregor

Director
Executive Search & Senior Finance

Need help with finance recruitment? Get in touch today

We’ll help you find the best solution for your business with the help of our experienced recruiters and qualified Finance Directors.