Roles Recruited
Group Finance Director
Interim Transformation Director
At The CFO Practice, we believe successful finance leadership appointments are about more than simply securing an exceptional candidate — they are rooted in long-standing relationships and a deep understanding of each client’s needs.
This was evident in a recent project with Ceuta Group, a 500-person private equity-backed company preparing for an exit. Our long-standing relationship with Ceuta’s Group CFO enabled us to assist with two critical finance leadership hires: a Group Finance Director and an Interim Transformation Director.
The Situation
Ceuta’s finance function, based across Dorset, Berkshire and Ireland, needed to become more business-facing and aligned with operational goals. The Group CFO, who had re-joined to lead the company through a successful private equity exit, sought finance directors capable of driving transformation while strengthening the leadership of the finance function.
The Interim Transformation Director was tasked with restructuring the organisation to increase efficiencies and reduce costs, while the Group Finance Director (Group FD) was responsible for supporting growth and ensuring the business was well prepared for the anticipated exit process.
The Approach
Retained for both searches, The CFO Practice acted swiftly.
Within days of launching the interim search, we presented Ceuta with a shortlist of interim finance transformation leaders, each rigorously vetted through interviews and referencing. Two weeks later, Ceuta appointed an Interim Finance Transformation Director who immediately began leading the restructuring programme.
One month later, The CFO Practice re-engaged with Ceuta’s Group CFO and the interim finance transformation director to refine the requirements for the permanent Group Finance Director role. The search required a finance leader with private equity transaction experience, proximity to Ceuta’s south coast headquarters in Bournemouth, Dorset, and the potential to succeed the Group CFO over time.
After multiple screening stages, we narrowed a pool of more than 200 finance leaders to a shortlist of five candidates. Within six weeks of engagement, Ceuta appointed a Group Finance Director, who joined the company in the summer of 2023.
The Outcome
Twelve months later, Ceuta Group successfully exited its private equity investors, selling the business to a global US-listed organisation. The Group CFO expressed strong satisfaction with the Group Finance Director’s contribution, recognising their integral role in supporting the post-acquisition process.
This case study highlights how strong finance leadership and a focused Finance Director recruitment process can support both immediate transformation and the long-term success of a business.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Rob Baker both as a candidate and client over the past decade. Rob consistently delivers an exceptional level of service, and I trust him completely with both my personal and company reputation. He works with integrity, focus, and agility to produce top-quality candidates, many of whom have built long-term relationships with him. I can’t recommend his services highly enough.
David Skinner
Former Group CFO - Ceuta Group
Rob’s approach to candidate placement is unique, as I experienced from our first engagement last year. He works closely with the company and candidate to ensure the best possible fit. His thoroughness, attention to detail, and insightful questioning helped me feel well-prepared for my interviews. This level of support was refreshing and instrumental in my successful placement in my current role. I would not hesitate to recommend Rob.
Debbie Seeley
Group Finance Director - Ceuta Group
I have worked with Rob Baker as both a client and a candidate for over 10 years and cannot recommend him highly enough. He is honest, straightforward, and hardworking. After founding The CFO Practice, Rob placed me with Ceuta Group, a PE-backed business based in Dorset, and I have since hired further candidates through him. From a client’s perspective, Rob takes the time to fully understand the brief, only putting forward candidates that meet the criteria. As a candidate, I felt well-briefed and supported throughout the interview and onboarding process, with Rob consistently checking in to ensure everything was progressing smoothly. I have no hesitation in recommending Rob and The CFO Practice.
Graeme Holt
Interim Finance Transformation Director