Eames Consulting completes swift finance director hire to help marketing agency through private equity cycle

The client

Our client is an award-winning UK marketing agency driving real business impact across retail destinations, leisure and attractions, and wines and spirits. Its fully integrated marketing services cover strategy, brand and creative, social media, PR, digital marketing, websites, videography and ESG.

The challenge

When the agency’s interim chief financial officer (CFO) left the business following private equity investment the previous year, the client needed to bring in a permanent finance director (FD) or CFO, ideally with a direct marketing agency background, to help see them through the remaining three or four years of the cycle. The client had struggled to fill the role over several months and needed the hire to be completed urgently.

The solution

Matt Morgan, senior consultant in our corporate functions team, reached out directly to the chief executive officer (CEO) to discuss their requirements in more detail. To increase his understanding of the business and in particular, its finance team, Matt arranged to spend time at the client’s office gaining a clear picture of their culture, their structure, their ways of working and the kind of person they needed.

Equipped with a solid understanding of the business’s nature and requirements, Matt targeted specific marketing agencies to find a suitable candidate with the ability to manage a small, relationship-driven finance team and thrive within a dynamic and vibrant environment. He identified a candidate with 10 years’ experience at a global PR and public affairs agency, which at the time was at the SME stage, like our client. In the last six years, the candidate had been the head of finance in a very similar role managing a team of six people and helping the business achieve organic and acquisitive growth.

The result

“The candidate quickly showed that he had the capabilities to thrive in a high-profile role and the appetite to transfer his skills to a private equity environment. He will bring considerable strategic value by working closely with the managing director and CEO as a trio leading the business. Matt Morgan, Senior Consultant, Corporate Functions

The successful candidate went through a three-stage interview process, conducted over only two weeks. After meeting the investor, he was immediately offered the role.

Tasked with growing the company’s revenue through M&A, in which he has a proven track record from his previous business, the candidate has brought significant commercial acumen to the agency. He’s also demonstrated his ability to work effectively with teams outside of finance.

The future

Having secured a new client for Eames Consulting, Matt has stayed in regular contact with the successful candidate to maintain their productive ongoing relationship. The new FD is currently working with a team of two and may need further support to help see the client through what remains of the PE cycle. Our knowledge of the business and our wide network of high-quality finance professionals will ensure we’re well equipped to fulfil any further hiring requirements.

If you’re looking for a new opportunity or need support bringing in the right senior finance talent, please reach out to Matt Morgan at matt.morgan@eamesconsulting.com.