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Collingwood are the leading growth, value creation, and M&A advisers to the information, media and events industry.

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Collingwood is a reputable brand specializing in assisting ambitious media leaders in transforming the value of their companies. With a focus on independent media companies, Collingwood offers services to scale, sell, or seek investment, ultimately aiming to help businesses achieve critical breakthroughs. The brand has dedicated Scaleup and Corporate Finance teams equipped to support clients in realizing their goals, whether it's accelerating growth or planning for an optimal exit strategy. Since 2006, Collingwood has been instrumental in guiding companies towards success by focusing on key areas that drive growth and value. Their expertise lies in advising leaders in the Business Information & Subscriptions, Digital Media, and Events sectors. If you're looking to lead your company to greater value, Collingwood is the partner to help you achieve your objectives. Contact them today to start your journey towards a more valuable business.

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Collingwood is the only growth, value creation, and M&A advisory that is purpose-built to help information, media, and events businesses create and realise shareholder value. Our unrivalled depth of domain expertise means we can help companies like yours grow faster and achieve transformational outcomes.

We are singularly focused on helping you make your company more valuable. We deliver this through our proven methodology, pragmatic, first-hand advice, and deep sector knowledge.

We help our clients create and realise value. We know what good looks like, which levers to pull to get there, and how to avoid pitfalls and delays along the way.

We've been in your shoes, understand what it takes to build a valuable business, and help you focus on what matters most to get you to your goal.

Being in constant dialogue with buyers and investors means we know how they think and operate, and how to secure the best deal for your business.

**Fractional Chief Financial Officer** Events & Media Business

**Work Arrangement** Fractional (1–1.5 days per week initially, rising to 2-3 days a week after 12 months)

**Reports to:** Chief Executive Officer

**Location:** Remote but attendance required at Board meetings.

**Remuneration:** Market rate day rate plus exit orientated incentive. Outside IR35.

**Overview** We are seeking an experienced Fractional Chief Financial Officer to oversee, professionalise and scale the finance function of a growing events and B2B media business.

The CFO will supervise a finance team of two and ensure delivery of accurate, timely and decision-useful financial information, alongside strong financial control and governance.

In addition, the CFO will play a central role in preparing the business for a planned exit within approximately two years. This will include ownership of financial readiness, development of robust and credible financial narratives, and support of all transaction-related activity in close coordination with the CEO and appointed advisors.

The role requires a balance of operational rigour, commercial insight and transaction experience.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Finance Leadership**

*   Lead and supervise the finance team (2 staff)
*   Enhance financial processes, controls and systems to a standard suitable for investor scrutiny
*   Ensure scalability of the finance function in line with planned revenue growth, particularly in events
*   Establish clear ownership, accountability and timelines across all finance outputs

**Financial Reporting & KPIs**

*   Deliver monthly management accounts with clear variance analysis and actionable commentary
*   Prepare Board-level reporting packs aligned to investor expectations
*   Develop and maintain a KPI framework aligned to value creation
*   Improve speed, accuracy and usability of reporting outputs, using AI where appropriate
*   Implement automated and standardised reporting where appropriate

**Financial Planning & Analysis**

*   Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with clear linkage to strategic objectives
*   Build and maintain rolling 12–24 month integrated financial models
*   Develop scenario models (base, upside, downside), including:
*   Event scale-up assumptions
*   Revenue mix shifts
*   Cost base evolution
*   Sensitivity analysis on key drivers
*   Support commercial decision-making with structured financial analysis (pricing, packaging, ROI)
*   Establish forward-looking visibility on revenue quality and sustainability

**Treasury & Cash Management**

*   Oversee cashflow and liquidity with a focus on forward visibility
*   Implement robust, rolling cashflow forecasting
*   Manage working capital, including receivables discipline and event-related cash cycles
*   Manage banking relationships and funding requirements as needed

**Tax, Audit & Compliance**

*   Ensure VAT, corporation tax and payroll compliance
*   Oversee statutory accounts and audit process (we are audited despite being below threshold - a requirement of investors)
*   Manage Auditors and external advisors efficiently and cost-effectively
*   Maintain appropriate financial controls and governance standards

**Exit Preparation & Transaction Readiness**

*   Assess and continuously monitor readiness for exit
*   Upgrade financial reporting, controls and documentation to meet buyer expectations
*   Develop clear and defensible financial narratives, including:
*   Quality of earnings
*   Revenue visibility and predictability
*   Margin sustainability
*   Identify and address gaps that could impact valuation or transaction risk
*   Support preparation for vendor due diligence processes

**Data Room & M&A Support**

*   Build, structure and maintain a transaction-ready data room
*   Prepare and validate financial data books and supporting schedules
*   Ensure consistency between management reporting, statutory accounts and transaction materials
*   Work closely with advisors on all financial aspects of the transaction process
*   Support management through due diligence queries and buyer interactions

**Systems, Data & Automation**

*   Improve management information through better use of systems and data integration
*   Drive automation of recurring reporting and analysis processes
*   Ensure finance systems support accurate, scalable and timely reporting
*   Introduce appropriate use of tools (including AI-enabled processes where relevant) to reduce manual workload and improve insight quality

**Candidate Profile**

*   Proven CFO or senior finance leadership experience in a growth environment
*   Demonstrable experience supporting or leading M&A / exit processes
*   Strong commercial and analytical capability, with ability to link financial outputs to strategic decisions
*   Experience in events, media or B2B information businesses desirable
*   Track record of building scalable reporting, modelling and financial infrastructure
*   Comfortable operating in a hands-on, resource-constrained environment
*   Able to challenge constructively and operate as a true partner to the CEO
*   Strong attention to detail combined with pragmatism and pace

Adviser and Investor supporting Entrepreneurs on Strategy, Scaleup, and Exit Planning

Daniel Pitchford

Chief Executive Officer / Board Member / Executive Director

Russell Pollard

Chief Operations Officer

Advising entrepreneurs on strategy, scaleup, value creation and exit planning | Former COO EMEA at Informa Markets | Start-up, scale-up and turnaround expert | 15+ years of international experience

Steve Smith

Chief Operating Officer

Fractional Chief Financial Officer - Events business

Chief Financial Officer

Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

We are the only growth, value creation and M&A advisory that is purpose-built to take information, media, and events businesses on a complete journey through scaling up to sale.

Our unrivalled depth of domain expertise means we can help companies like yours grow faster and achieve transformational outcomes.

What we do:
We help our clients create and realise value. We know what good looks like, which levers to pull to get there, and how to avoid pitfalls and delays along the way. 

We've been in your shoes and understand what it takes to build a valuable business. We help you focus on what matters most to get you to your goal.

Being in constant dialogue with buyers and investors means we know how they think and operate, and how to secure the best deal for your business.

Are you ready to:
Reach your goals via the quickest route with greater certainty?

Achieve the highest valuation for your company?

Build the best business for you, your team, your clients, your market?

Get in touch:
w: collingwood.group 
e: info@collingwood.group

We are the only growth, value creation, and M&A advisory that is purpose-built to take you through scaling up to sale.

**Note:**
This is a confidential search project for a client of Collingwood. Further details will be made available under NDA to shortlisted candidates.
  
  
**Fractional Chief Financial Officer**
Events & Media Business
  
  
Fractional (1–1.5 days per week initially, rising to 2-3 days a week after 12 months)
  
  
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
  
  
Remuneration – Market rate day rate plus exit orientated incentive. Outside IR35.
  
  
Location – Remote but attendance required at Board meetings.
  
  
**Overview**
We are seeking an experienced Fractional Chief Financial Officer to oversee, professionalise and scale the finance function of a growing events and B2B media business.
  
  
The CFO will supervise a finance team of two and ensure delivery of accurate, timely and decision-useful financial information, alongside strong financial control and governance.
  
  
In addition, the CFO will play a central role in preparing the business for a planned exit within approximately two years. This will include ownership of financial readiness, development of robust and credible financial narratives, and support of all transaction-related activity in close coordination with the CEO and appointed advisors.
  
  
The role requires a balance of operational rigour, commercial insight and transaction experience.
  
  
**Key Responsibilities**
**Finance Leadership**

- Lead and supervise the finance team (2 staff)
- Enhance financial processes, controls and systems to a standard suitable for investor scrutiny
- Ensure scalability of the finance function in line with planned revenue growth, particularly in events
- Establish clear ownership, accountability and timelines across all finance outputs

**Financial Reporting & KPIs**

- Deliver monthly management accounts with clear variance analysis and actionable commentary
- Prepare Board-level reporting packs aligned to investor expectations
- Develop and maintain a KPI framework aligned to value creation
- Improve speed, accuracy and usability of reporting outputs, using AI where appropriate
- Implement automated and standardised reporting where appropriate

**Financial Planning & Analysis**

- Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with clear linkage to strategic objectives
- Build and maintain rolling 12–24 month integrated financial models
- Develop scenario models (base, upside, downside), including:

- Event scale-up assumptions
- Revenue mix shifts
- Cost base evolution
- Sensitivity analysis on key drivers

- Support commercial decision-making with structured financial analysis (pricing, packaging, ROI)
- Establish forward-looking visibility on revenue quality and sustainability

**Treasury & Cash Management**

- Oversee cashflow and liquidity with a focus on forward visibility
- Implement robust, rolling cashflow forecasting
- Manage working capital, including receivables discipline and event-related cash cycles
- Manage banking relationships and funding requirements as needed

**Tax, Audit & Compliance**

- Ensure VAT, corporation tax and payroll compliance
- Oversee statutory accounts and audit process (we are audited despite being below threshold - a requirement of investors)
- Manage Auditors and external advisors efficiently and cost-effectively
- Maintain appropriate financial controls and governance standards

**Exit Preparation & Transaction Readiness**

- Assess and continuously monitor readiness for exit
- Upgrade financial reporting, controls and documentation to meet buyer expectations
- Develop clear and defensible financial narratives, including:

- Quality of earnings
- Revenue visibility and predictability
- Margin sustainability

- Identify and address gaps that could impact valuation or transaction risk
- Support preparation for vendor due diligence processes

**Data Room & M&A Support**

- Build, structure and maintain a transaction-ready data room
- Prepare and validate financial data books and supporting schedules
- Ensure consistency between management reporting, statutory accounts and transaction materials
- Work closely with advisors on all financial aspects of the transaction process
- Support management through due diligence queries and buyer interactions

**Systems, Data & Automation**

- Improve management information through better use of systems and data integration
- Drive automation of recurring reporting and analysis processes
- Ensure finance systems support accurate, scalable and timely reporting
- Introduce appropriate use of tools (including AI-enabled processes where relevant) to reduce manual workload and improve insight quality

**Candidate Profile**

- Proven CFO or senior finance leadership experience in a growth environment
- Demonstrable experience supporting or leading M&A / exit processes
- Strong commercial and analytical capability, with ability to link financial outputs to strategic decisions
- Experience in events, media or B2B information businesses desirable
- Track record of building scalable reporting, modelling and financial infrastructure
- Comfortable operating in a hands-on, resource-constrained environment
- Able to challenge constructively and operate as a true partner to the CEO
- Strong attention to detail combined with pragmatism and pace

London

Seeking an experienced Fractional CFO for an events and media business to oversee and scale the finance function, prepare for a planned exit, and support transaction-related activities. The role involves leading a finance team, enhancing financial processes, and ensuring compliance and readiness for exit.

Collingwood

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