Finance Director, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

posted: 7th August 2026

FD Recruit are working closely with a highly respected, design-led, creative, luxury B2C/B2B global retailer who provides high quality products in the gift sector to source an experienced Finance Director who can hit the ground running and provide strong, steady financial leadership during this next phase of the company’s growth. Working hand-in-hand with the COO on the day-to-day running of the business and bring immediate clarity on cash, margin, planning and commercial decisions. You will manage, lead and develop a Financial Controller and a small finance team as well as support close partnership across operations, commercial and creative functions, and ownership of legal and commercial contracts across the business, supporting ongoing projects where required

This is a role for someone who is a ‘doer, not a delegator’ and has done it before, knows what “good” looks like in a multi-channel, multi-market consumer business, and is energised by getting into the detail quickly while holding a clear strategic line

Key Responsibilities

• Provide steady, credible financial leadership from day one, partnering closely with the COO
on operational and commercial decisions
• Actively contribute to commercial decision-making across the business – pricing, channel
investment, market choices, and trade-offs between growth, margin and cash
• Monitor and manage the control environment to ensure an appropriate balance between
allowing managers to operate dynamically and protecting the business’ finances
• Liaise with external financial advisers in relation to tax, accounting, insurance and related
matters
• Lead the production of timely, accurate and insightful monthly financial reports for the
senior management team
• Provide deeper financial and commercial analysis where required, presenting the results and
implications to non-financial managers
• Continue to develop reporting to reflect the dynamic nature of the business’ operating
environment
• Oversee treasury and foreign exchange management
• Own cash forecasting and working capital management across an inventory-led, seasonal
business
• Manage and lead the budgeting cycle and rolling forecasts, partnering with department
heads to set realistic, ambitious plans that they will own and deliver
• Provide robust scenario planning to support decisions on inventory, sourcing, pricing and
market expansion
• Provide deeper insight into margin by channel – D2C, B2B/wholesale and by market – to drive commercial action
• Partner with operations on inventory planning, ensuring stock supports service across
markets without tying up unnecessary cash
• Own the financial implications of an outsourced production model with internal distribution
and logistics, including landed cost, freight, FX and the financial impact of tariff changes.
• Lead UK and US tax and VAT/Sales Tax compliance, and other markets
• Own transfer pricing across the group, ensuring a structure that is compliant, efficient and fit
for international growth
• Stay ahead of tariff changes affecting imports and cross-border movement, advising the
business on commercial and operational responses
• Take ownership of all legal contracts across the business, working with external counsel where appropriate
• Bring commercial rigour to negotiations and key decisions, ensuring terms protect the
business and support its growth ambitions
• Help the leadership team navigate the legal and commercial implications of operating across
multiple jurisdictions
• Provide support for IT and operations where needed, to ensure the technology stack
supports a multi-channel, multi-market business reliably and securely
• Review existing financial systems and operations to ensure it is fit for purpose, identifying improvements and streamlining
• Work effectively with NetSuite, Excvel and Shopify, ensuring finance, commercial and operational data flow through to a single, trusted view
• Lead the finance team through the Financial Controller, supporting their development and
setting clear standards for accuracy, accountability and commercial curiosity
• Build further stability and confidence to the team while raising the bar on how finance
partners with the wider business
• Identify any critical gaps and make recommendations for the function as the business
continues to grow
Skills & Experience
• ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified with at least 10 years post-qualification experience
• Senior finance leadership experience (CFO, Finance Director or equivalent) ideally within a
consumer, retail or design-led business operating internationally
• Demonstrable experience across both the US and UK, European experience welcomed
• Strong commercial understanding of D2C and B2B/wholesale channels
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite and Shopify
• Proven experience managing the finance implications of outsourced production and internal
distribution, including tariffs, landed cost, FX and inventory planning
• Experience of transfer pricing and operating a multi-entity international group structure.
• Comfortable owning legal contracts and commercial negotiations
• Experience of working with owner-led or founder-led businesses, or PE-backed environments
Personal Attributes
• A self-starter who can land quickly, read a business and start adding value quickly; doer not a delegator. Strategic yet hands-on
• Calm, steady and credible under pressure, particularly during periods of change or
ambiguity
• Commercially curious – genuinely interested in the product, the customer and the
operation, not only the numbers
• A clear and accessible communicator, collaborative and adaptable
• Comfortable operating within an owner-led business
Role Details
Based in Cheltenham, this role will work closely day-to-day with a passionate and driven COO (based in the US) and report to is President / Creative Director, who is based in the UK, on strategic matters and is offered on a hybrid working pattern with 2-3 days per week in the office and is an excellent opportunity for both professional growth and personal pride and development.

The salary banding advertised is a guideline, the remuneration offered will be commensurate upon experience