We're a boutique executive search and recruitment firm, dedicated to sourcing exceptional finance talent.


We act for UK based companies that are PE / Venture backed, family owned, privately held and listed.




We help companies across multiple industry sectors and ownership, to attract and recruit exceptional financial talent, from senior management level to CFO. 


Our personal approach and longevity in the market, means we have built extensive networks within the accounting and finance community. We are able to leverage these relationships and connections to introduce our clients to exceptional candidates.






We support companies at various stages of their lifecycle.  If the company is young and growing fast, we can help them appoint their first standalone CFO. 


For more established businesses, we are well connected with more experienced CFO's.  These individuals have the war stories and the know-how to drive profitable growth, deliver transformation and they have usually built a strong reputation with banks, advisers, investors etc.


Once the CFO is in place, we can help with the team build.  Ensuring we identify the right technical skillset and crucially the interpersonal attributes to succeed.   



We've been placing accountants for over 50 years. Identifying the right technical skillset is not the hard part. 


Assessing cultural fit, motivation and leadership skills is when we come into our own. We get to know our candidates by asking probing questions, challenging their answers and most importantly, we listen.




We are a small and highly experienced team, with over 50 years experience. Our mission is to deliver high quality advice for our clients and candidates. Our expertise and personal approach sets us apart. 


I founded Freshwood in February 2021.  I joined the recruitment industry in 1996, following 9 years in Finance and Investment Banking, during which time I passed the ACCA exams.  In the last 28 years I have worked for a large recruitment PLC in the UK and Australia, numerous mid-market firms/boutiques and Freshwood is my 2nd start-up.  The first came in 2007, just before savers started queuing outside Northern Rock.  We know what happened next.


The plan in 2007 was to scale the business and then wait for a phone call asking to buy the company etc etc.  Some of the plans went well and others simply failed, but I learnt a lot along the way.     







SCOTT TAYLOR

Creative Director

 As a creative director, Scott invests his soul and imagination into every product that he works on. Trained in the exclusive City Design School, he has several years of experience in the field and dozens of highly successful projects and campaigns. Scott has been named Most Promising Designer in his field of expertise for six years in a row. 

SCOTT TAYLOR

Creative Director

 As a creative director, Scott invests his soul and imagination into every product that he works on. Trained in the exclusive City Design School, he has several years of experience in the field and dozens of highly successful projects and campaigns. Scott has been named Most Promising Designer in his field of expertise for six years in a row. 

Our story

I founded Freshwood in February 2021.  I joined the recruitment industry in 1996, following 9 years in Finance and Investment Banking, during which time I passed the ACCA exams.  In the last 28 years I have worked for a large recruitment PLC in the UK and Australia, numerous mid-market firms/boutiques and Freshwood is my 2nd start-up.  The first came in 2007, just before savers started queuing outside Northern Rock.  We know what happened next. 


 













Phil Grinhaff

Phil trained as an accountant and spent 9 years in financial services, before joining the recruitment industry in the late 90's.  He launched Freshwood in 2021, with the aim of offering a more personal and expert level of service.  


Based on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, he is a keen fair weather road cyclist.    


Fiona Hartfield

Fiona has over 23 years experience in senior financial recruitment.  She has successfully advised clients ranging from early stage enterprises to multinational PLCs. 


Based in Sussex, Fiona is a stones throw from the beaches and can often be spotted running and cycling on the South Downs. 




Specialists

Phil Grinhaff

Phil trained as an accountant and spent 9 years in financial services, before joining the recruitment industry in the late 90's.  He launched Freshwood in February 2021, with the aim of offering a more personal and expert level of service. 


Based on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, he is a keen fair weather road cyclist.   

Fiona Hartfield

Fiona has over 23 years experience in senior financial recruitment.  She has successfully advised clients ranging from early stage enterprises to multinational PLCs. 


Based in Sussex, Fiona is a stones throw from the beaches and can often be spotted running and cycling on the South Downs. 

Charlie Jaggard

Charlie has spent more than 25 years in executive search, assessment and coaching.  In that time he has met thousands of executives and knows what makes an outstanding leader. 


He is passionate about providing expert assessment and coaching services to improve clients’ performance through their leadership talent.


Our Expertise

Our clients range from early stage VC backed start-ups to established public companies.  We have placed into most industry sectors and we pride ourselves on our ability to quickly understand the dynamics of a sector and the culture of the business.


It's this level of expertise and experience, that ensures we introduce relevant and high calibre candidates, whatever the situation.

Our approach is not just about one successful placement; it's about building lasting partnerships.


We aim to be your trusted advisor, helping you to secure top-tier talent, that will help to drive your organisation's success now and into the future.

Companies we have helped

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Blurred Lines

Photo By: John Doe

Birthday Sparks

Photo By: John Doe

Fashion Magazine

Photo By: John Doe

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Blurred Lines

Photo By: John Doe

Birthday Sparks

Photo By: John Doe

Fashion Magazine

Photo By: John Doe

City skyline

Photo By: John Doe

Blurred Lines

Photo By: John Doe

Birthday Sparks

Photo By: John Doe

Fashion Magazine

Photo By: John Doe

Trusted Advisers

What sets us apart

  • 50+ years placing senior finance executives.
  • Experience across multiple industry sectors.
  • We have worked in the finance function.
  • We are thorough, diligent and discreet.
  • Work at pace without compromise.
  • Committed to delivering the highest levels of service.
  • We tailor our advice according to the situation. 
  • Our mission is to act for our clients for the long term.   

Contact us