Executive Finance Leadership Recruitment

Harper May provides specialist executive finance recruitment services for organisations seeking high-impact financial leadership. We specialise in placing Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Finance Directors, Financial Controllers, Heads of Finance, and other senior finance leadership roles. Our data-driven search methodology connects businesses with candidates who possess the strategic vision, commercial acumen, and operational expertise necessary to scale and succeed.

What Finance Leadership Roles Does Harper May Recruit For?

We partner with organisations to secure leadership across the entire financial spectrum, ensuring each hire is both a cultural and technical fit.

To help you identify the right level of support, we focus on four core pillars: Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are best for board-level strategy, capital allocation, and M&A, specifically for businesses scaling towards fundraising or public markets. Finance Directors (FDs) provide operational control and team management for growth-phase finance functions. Financial Controllers ensure financial integrity, compliance, and robust reporting through internal controls. Finally, our Fractional CFOs offer agile, part-time strategic guidance tailored for startups and SMEs requiring senior expertise without a full-time headcount.

Why Partner with Harper May for Executive Search?

We move beyond traditional database-led recruiting to deliver a bespoke, rigorous search process that guarantees results.

  • Bespoke Market Mapping: We conduct a dedicated, active market map for every assignment to identify passive talent, rather than relying on active job seekers.

  • Proven Sector Expertise: Our consultants have deep-rooted experience across Technology, FinTech, Real Estate, Private Equity, and SaaS.

  • Data-Driven Methodology: We utilise rigorous assessment techniques to ensure candidates can demonstrate measurable business outcomes.

  • Cultural Alignment: We prioritise long-term retention by evaluating technical capability alongside leadership style and cultural compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I decide if I need a CFO or a Finance Director? Generally, a CFO is a strategic partner focused on fundraising, board-level strategy, and capital markets. In contrast, a Finance Director focuses on the operational "engine room," managing reporting and day-to-day team scaling.

2. What is the advantage of a Fractional CFO? A Fractional CFO provides businesses with high-level strategic leadership on a part-time or project basis. This is ideal for startups or SMEs that need senior oversight without the cost of a full-time executive salary.

3. Does Harper May recruit for PE-backed businesses? Yes. We have a dedicated practice for Private Equity-backed finance recruitment, specialising in hiring leaders who can deliver the rapid growth and rigorous reporting cycles required by PE firms.

4. How long does an executive finance search typically take? While every assignment is unique, a thorough search typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks. This includes the initial briefing, comprehensive market mapping, interviewing, and the final selection process. We prioritise quality and fit over speed to ensure long-term retention.

5. How does Harper May handle confidential or sensitive executive searches? We understand that executive hires are often sensitive. We provide a completely confidential search process, ensuring your organisation's identity is protected until the appropriate stage. We use discreet approaches to engage passive candidates who would not typically apply via public channels.

6. Why use a finance-specialist recruiter instead of a generalist agency? Finance is a highly technical field. A generalist agency may not grasp the nuances between IFRS and UK GAAP, or the specific SaaS metrics required for a modern CFO. By partnering with a specialist firm like Harper May, you are working with consultants who understand the technical, regulatory, and commercial complexities of the finance function.