UK Finance Director

About Goodfish Group

Goodfish Group is a private, family-owned manufacturing business, headquartered in the Midlands. Its main activities include plastic injection moulding and extrusion. In the 15 years since it was founded, Goodfish has grown (through acquisitions) from a £1m turnover business in Cannock to a £28m turnover multi-site business, with 75% of its activities currently based in North Wales. As the business continues to grow through acquisition, the centre of activity is likely to change again, so the head office may change from its current location in Cannock to somewhere more central to the developing footprint of the Goodfish Group.

A new family investment company will be set up (with the help of the new Finance Director) to oversee the investment in Goodfish Group, its portfolio of commercial property and other investments to be made over the next decade, not necessarily just in manufacturing, as the family seeks to diversify its investments.

Role Overview

The Finance Director will provide financial leadership for the Goodfish Group, whilst also assisting with the steps to be taken in establishing a Family Investment Company as a vehicle for portfolio diversification, including acquisitions for Goodfish Group and the integration of new investments. The role also includes investigating and evaluating long-term supply agreements, commodity hedging strategies for operating companies, management of pensions, whilst also leading the Finance team’s adoption of digital technologies in financial processes, reporting on comprehensive monthly trend analysis for all investments, and ensuring the continuous development of a strong Finance team within Goodfish Group. The Finance Director will work with the existing finance team to ensure robust financial governance, whilst driving value creation and supporting the Company’s growth and restructuring objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership
  • Lead all financial aspects of the Company, including investments, property portfolio and carved-out entities, as directed by the board
  • Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the Company’s objectives, including bolt-on acquisitions, portfolio allocation, M&A, divestitures, and restructuring, as directed by the board
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting and management reporting to provide actionable insights for decision-making by the board
  • Support the development and management of a network of financial advisers and intermediaries, including tax specialists, to support the board’s search for new investment opportunities

• M&A, Bolt-On Acquisitions & Portfolio Allocation
  • • Oversee financial due diligence, valuation and financial integration of acquisitions
    • Manage selective divestitures and carve-outs as required, ensuring alignment with broader portfolio strategy.
    • Oversee the allocation of capital across the portfolio to optimise risk-adjusted returns.

• Financial Modelling and Analysis
  • Build and maintain integrated financial models for all investments, including scenario analysis and sensitivity testing for property and business unit performance
  • Critique and prepare cash flow forecasts for banks and other stakeholders, including modelling the cash flow impact of factory consolidations and other operational changes

• Supply Agreements & Commodity Hedging Strategies
  • Manage supply agreements and commodity hedging strategies to ensure optimal terms and alignment with the Company’s strategic and financial objectives
  • Liaise with suppliers, consultants and internal stakeholders to assess cost efficiency, risk exposure, and long-term value in procurement and hedging activities
  • Oversee the improvement in tracking, monitoring and accounting for material use in production

• Digital Technologies in Finance
  • Support our in-house developers in the creation, improvement and implementation of digital technologies to automate financial accounting practices, invoice processing and related functions.
  • Drive adoption of digital tools to improve efficiency, accuracy and insight in financial operations

• Monthly Trend Analysis & Reporting
  • Conduct detailed monthly trend analysis on all investments, reporting on changes in value, yield, and returns
  • Prepare and present monthly reports on Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) for each investment and at the consolidated group level
  • Track and report monthly cash management improvements, highlighting actions taken to improve working capital and enhance ROCE
  • Present actionable insights and recommendations to the Board and stakeholders, identifying underperforming assets and opportunities for reinvestment, bolt-on acquisitions or divestment.

• Finance Team Development
  • Manage, mentor and develop the Finance team within the operating companies, which consists of a Financial Controller, Senior Accounts Assistant and two Junior Accounts Assistants.
  • Foster an environment of continuous learning, ensuring team members are regularly up-skilled and supported in their career development
  • Implement structured training, coaching and professional development plans tailored to individual and team needs
  • Encourage knowledge-sharing, cross-training and exposure to new technologies and best practices in finance; a deep understanding of Xero will help here

• Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the primary finance contact for external advisers, banks, auditors and tax consultants, ensuring effective communication and negotiation on all financial matters
  • Produce year-end statutory accounts for all entities
  • Review and challenge year-end tax calculations and cash flow reconciliations

• Governance and Compliance
  • Ensure robust internal controls, compliance with relevant regulations and timely completion of audits and tax filings
  • Oversee risk management and implement best practices in financial operations

Key Requirements

• Professional Qualifications: ACA or equivalent.

• Experience:
  • Significant experience as a Finance Director or senior finance leader in a family office, holding company or private investment group, ideally with exposure to real estate and complex investment structures
  • Demonstrable track record in bolt-on acquisitions, including of distressed companies, as well as portfolio allocation and management
  • Strong experience in building and managing integrated financial models for diverse investment portfolios
  • Experience in managing supply agreements and commodity hedging strategies, leaning on the expertise of internal, technical specialists
  • Proven ability to lead the adoption of digital technologies in finance functions
  • Experience in monthly trend analysis, ROCE reporting and cash management improvements
  • Proven ability to engage credibly with banks, auditors and advisers on technical financial, tax and cash flow matters
  • Demonstrable experience in developing and up-skilling finance teams, with a focus on mentoring and career progression

• Skills:
  • Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present & simplify complex financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Strong leadership and team management abilities
  • High attention to detail, strategic vision, and adaptability

Desirable

• Experience with property carve-outs, restructuring and selective divestitures
• Familiarity with private equity, family office and trade sale processes
• Exposure to international tax and multi-jurisdictional structures
• Knowledge of commodity markets, supply agreements and hedging strategies
• Experience with using technology to track manufacturing inputs and outputs automatically
• Experience implementing or actively supporting the implementation of digital technologies or automation in finance environments

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute, discreet and trustworthy
• Proactive, hands-on and results-driven
• Able to thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment
• A sense of fun and holistic perspective

Remuneration

• Competitive Salary: A six-figure base salary will be highly competitive and reflect how closely the candidate meets the required and desirable attributes outlined above
• Benefits Package:
  • Pension scheme
  • Health insurance
  • Car allowance
• Performance Bonus: An annual performance bonus will be awarded based on improvements in cash Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) as the key metric for value creation
• Total Compensation: The total package is designed to attract and retain a high-calibre Finance Director who will drive financial performance and continuous improvement across the

This job description provides a comprehensive overview of the Finance Director role but it is not exhaustive and may be amended to suit the evolving needs of the business.