Finance Director - Construction

With a key figure within the business approaching retirement, our client needed to recruit a highly credible Finance Director to join the team at board level. With such a highly regarded position, it was vital to find the right person, ensuring that the successful candidate not only had the right experience but also fit the culture of the business. They operated out of 2 locations in the UK, their head-office being in the North-East and a second office in London. All of their board team were based in the North-East and they now wanted a senior presence in the South, so we were tasked with finding an individual based down south but with the flexibility to spend time in the North-East.

They were not only looking for a qualified Finance Director but it was imperative that the candidate was commercially focused with experience managing multi-discipline teams to include HR, IT and administration. We were asked to work to tight deadlines and have a shortlist to them within 3 weeks as the current incumbent’s retirement was fast approaching and it was business critical that there was a hand over period.   

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The Company

Our client provides effective and established solutions to the construction industry. They are a key service provider to the national construction and building sectors with an outstanding reputation for providing business critical information and publications for industry professionals. Operating in 3 main markets; specification market, advertiser market and retail market. 

 

The Role

As a member of the board team, the successful candidate needed to be able to provide leadership and strategic thinking, ensuring that the company was managed in a proper financial and legal manner with the ultimate goal of maximising sustainable profits. In addition to this, they must have a strong commercial and managerial focus, whilst also taking on company secretary duties. 

 

About the author
Mark Goldsmith
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With 23 years of recruitment experience under his belt, Mark has spent the last 19 focused on Building Products & Construction.

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The Solution

Through listening to the client, it was clear they required a very specific skill-set within a fixed location but someone who was also willing to travel at times between their offices. Collingwood initially used the current network and carried out further research to provide the client with a defined target list. Through our experience within this sector, we were able to consult with the client and based on the in-depth meeting that we had previously we had a clear brief which enabled us to identify strong candidates to meet with. During the search, the client was updated weekly with details on progress, interested candidates and their background and any obstacles we were finding. Equally, we were able to offer our advice regarding the search and make suggestions where necessary. 

 

The Result

interview, with the successful candidate having a lunch meeting with the board members and a subsequent offer made. Our process means that we provide the best individuals with the right mix of experience and behavioral profile to successfully integrate into the clients business.

From there Collingwood managed the offer process through to the candidate joining the business. Throughout Collingwood proactively engaged with the client to provide advice and guidance, ensuring our client did not miss out on appointing the best candidate for the role.

Mark Goldsmith

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