“I have an amazing head of finance! I know they are capable of so much more, but I don’t know how to help them reach their potential.”

“I want to have more impact in the business and want to operate more effectively at board level. I don’t know where to go for this guidance.”

“I’m new to the industry. How do I accelerate my learning in the recruitment space to become a highly effective recruitment FD?”

“I find running a finance team in a recruitment business can be a lonely place. It would be great to know others doing the same role as me, with the same daily challenges to share ideas with”

What is Aspiring FDs?

Aspiring FDs is a six month programme delivered in six half-day modules. It is for high-potential finance leads running finance teams in growth recruitment businesses who want to take a step up into genuine board level positions, whilst also creating strong, external peer networks. Modules are hosted as a 50:50 mix of online via Zoom and in person in central London.

Why should my finance lead join Aspiring FDs?

Recruitment owners need strategic input from their finance team to drive profitable, stable and cash generative growth. The finance team are required to provide quality reporting, processes and structures to ensure the business is in good financial health especially if it is heading towards an exit. A top performing finance team also needs to be able to engage with the business at all levels and this should be driven by the FD.

Aspiring FDs contains all of the technical, industry specific knowledge required of a recruitment FD. However, maybe more importantly throughout the programme there is a focus on the softer skills required to embed best practice into the business. This includes how to create a genuine business partnering relationship with their CEO whilst enhancing relationships throughout the wider business.

Delegates undertaking the programme will leave with a strong peer network of like-minded finance professionals. The format of the sessions is designed to ensure this happens, it takes a conversational and interactive style, rather than classic classroom teaching. This enables discussions around relevant challenges and allows all participants to realise their peers are a network who face similar finance, regulatory and stakeholder challenges daily. 

Throughout the programme Paul introduces the group to professional advisors who focus on the recruitment sector. These are people who have helped Paul throughout his recruitment career. Their interactions create a diversity of teaching across the programme whilst also teaching the delegates the importance of an external network. Further details can be seen below.

If you would like your head of finance to have a greater understanding of what it takes to be a high performing recruitment FD, with a strong external network of peers and advisors, and a good idea of what they need to do to maximise multiples as you head towards exit then please get in touch!