Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment have been exclusively engaged by a global private client business who specialise in rare whisky, to recruit an experienced finance professional into the role of Chief Financial Officer.
Working from a desirable West of Edinburgh office location, the successful candidate will be a well-rounded finance professional who is a strategic thinker, commercially strong and operationally savvy. You will have the gravitas to gain respect and will be confident in dealings with key stakeholders, industry peers and key client contacts. Very importantly, you will be an exceptional leader of people with the ability to direct, council and support, as necessary.
Role Summary:
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior, strategic finance leadership role, responsible for all major finance decisions as well as informing and supporting all other areas of the organisation as required. They will act on their own authority, or as delegated by the wider Board of Directors and the successful individual must be confident in both making and justifying decisions taken.
They will ensure the integrity of the company’s financial reporting, financial control environment, and compliance obligations across the Group. This includes managing all areas of strategic risk, providing constructive challenges to the operational and commercial teams to support the development of new strategies and initiatives to deliver the ambition of the company.
Key role responsibilities:
- Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and compliance frameworks are in place
- Manage statutory reporting, audits, and tax compliance
- Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures
- Provide clear, insightful reporting to the Board and senior stakeholders
- Own cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
- Optimise working capital, including management of receivables, payables, and inventory
- Ensure effective treasury management and banking relationships
- Support funding requirements and short-term financing strategies
- Lead capital structuring, fundraising, and equity release initiatives
- Support M&A activity, due diligence, and investment appraisals
- Develop long-term financial strategies aligned to business growth
- Provide financial modelling and scenario planning for key decisions
- Manage relationships with investors and external financial partners
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team
- Lead from the front during periods of growth and transformation
- Ensure strong succession planning and capability development within the team
- Partner with operational leaders to drive performance and profitability
- Provide actionable insights to support strategic and commercial decisions
- Support pricing, cost management, and margin improvement initiatives
- Challenge and influence key stakeholders to improve business outcomes
- Deliver KPI reporting and performance analysis across the organisation
Key person specifications:
- Qualified Accountant holding a CA, ACCA or CIMA designation
- Proven track record of delivering in a senior finance role in a dynamic, high growth SME environment with both UK and International operations
- A commercial mindset with the ability to liaise across the business with Senior Management, Investors, Operations and Legal
- Strong financial control experience with the ability to improve process, procedure and the control environment
- Act as main point of contact with financial institutions including banking and private investors
- Strong communication, presentation and leadership skills are vital
- Breadth of experience across finance disciplines including statutory reporting, management reporting and Board reporting
- Previous Due Diligence and / or M&A experience would be beneficial
- Private Equity / Venture capital experience would be advantageous
- Suits an experienced, hands-on Finance Director / CFO looking for a new challenge
- Previous experience in the drinks industry would be highly advantageous
- Must be a ‘builder’ not a ‘maintainer’
- This role can be performed on a full-time or part-time basis
How to Apply:
This search is being conducted confidentially on behalf of our client. If you’re a dynamic finance leader seeking a role where you can make a real impact — we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now or reach out directly at craig.sinclair@cooperparry.com for a confidential conversation.