We help growing companies appoint leaders on a permanent, interim and fractional basis. We support at senior management to board level. 

How we help you appoint high performing leadership talent

We treat our clients and candidates as individuals, not numbers on a database.  From our first conversation with you, our aim is to be considered a true business partner and trusted adviser. 


Freshwood is not a high volume 'agency', meaning our clients can expect us to invest the appropriate time and resources, to ensure we understand their requirements, company culture, challenges and opportunities. 


Likewise, we engage with candidates beyond their CV, taking the time to understand their story so far, career aspirations, strengths, and values.


Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific requirements or the market in general.


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Over the last 50 years, we have acted for companies of all shapes and sizes across multiple industry sectors. Whether our clients are backed by investors, privately held, family owned or publicly listed, we are skilled at assessing a candidate's technical ability, cultural fit, motivation and leadership qualities. 


What we believe sets us apart from many of our competitors, however, is our personal approach and the high level of attention we give to our clients and candidates. 


Each recruitment project is unique, and we adopt a strategy and approach which is bespoke to each appointment, ensuring we successfully meet the requirements of the brief. It’s for these reasons we believe clients work with us on a repeat basis. 



Experts


How we help you appoint high performing finance talent

We are not a high volume 'agency', meaning our clients can expect us to invest the appropriate time and resources, to ensure we understand their requirements, company culture, challenges and opportunities. 


Our expertise includes:


  • CFO / FD search for private, investor backed, publicly listed and family owned companies.
  • Financial Controller, M&A, Heads of Function e.g. FP&A, Financial and Management Reporting.
  • Talent Advisory services for early stage, high growth companies.


We act for companies throughout the UK across all industry sectors, to deliver recruitment solutions on a Permanent, Interim and Fractional basis.


Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific requirements or the market in general.


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We work closely with companies to understand their culture, values and what they really need. We know the right questions to ask, in order to build a clear and achievable plan, covering not just the technical aspects of a role, but the kind of person who will thrive.  As a small business, we’re flexible, straightforward and fully invested in delivering an outstanding level of service. 




Our Process

  • 1. Establish the Brief

    We work with our client to define the role, success criteria, and context. This ensures clarity on requirements and alignment before we begin the search.

  • 2. Research

    We research the market and build a robust longlist of relevant individuals. This list is the foundation of the search and remains dynamic until completion.

  • 3. Candidate Engagement

    We approach and qualify candidates directly, presenting the role clearly and assessing skills, motivation, and fit before shortlist stage.

  • 4. Client Assessment Process

    We coordinate interviews and manage feedback. Our involvement ensures consistency and a smooth candidate experience.

  • 5. Offer Management

    We help and advise with package negotiations and aim to manage expectations, ensuring  a smooth transition through to signed offer. 

  • 6. Post Search

    We stay in touch post-placement to support onboarding.  We follow up with client and candidate at 3 and 6 months.  

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We stay in regular contact throughout the process, providing clear progress updates and tailored reporting to keep you informed. We're not a 9–5 business; we’re responsive, accessible, and committed to moving at your pace.

Our Approach

Research & Analytics

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Planning Strategy

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Concept Creation

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Test in the field

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Success Garanteed

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Healthcare

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Technology

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Financial

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Example Assignments

We apply the same level of rigour and attention to every search and recruitment process, irrespective of the level of position within the organisation.   

Chief Financial Officer

Family-Owned Manufacturing Firm


A century-old manufacturing company with deep regional roots appointed a CFO to lead financial strategy, improve governance, and support sustainable growth while preserving the company’s long-term vision.

Head of FP&A

Fast-Growing SaaS Scale-up


A London-based SaaS company with venture backing needed an experienced FP&A lead to implement robust forecasting processes and support rapid international expansion through data-driven insights.

Group Financial Controller

Private Equity-Owned Retailer


A mid-sized retail group under private equity ownership required a Group Financial Controller to enhance financial controls, streamline month-end close, and support multiple acquisitions as part of an aggressive growth plan.



We invest the time to understand our client's business model, culture and specific leadership needs. We do this via thorough discovery sessions with key stakeholders to define the ideal candidate profile.


We map the market, build a targeted longlist of prospects and we begin our discreet approach work.  We provide regular progress updates, we screen shortlisted candidates in depth and we provide detailed reports on each candidate. 


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Interim

Finance

Freshwood provides interim finance professionals, typically for periods of change.  The experience and value that a professional interim can bring, will ensure business continuity during transitions, projects, or leadership gaps.


From Financial Controllers to CFOs, we deliver skilled, adaptable talent to meet your short-term needs. 





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Fractional CFO

The experienced Fractional (Portfolio / Part-Time) CFO has grown in popularity in recent years.  Generally they have taken a deliberate decision to leave their full time executive career, in order to support companies and boards with strategic financial leadership on a flexible basis. 


Whether guiding / mentoring a less experienced CFO or supporting a specific project e.g. M&A, we are connected to an extensive network of highly experienced CFOs.


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Chief Operating Officer

Healthcare Services Provider


A UK healthcare provider, partly publicly funded, appointed a COO to oversee operational integration following a merger and drive improvements in patient service delivery and cost efficiency.

Commercial Director

Renewable Energy Startup


An early-stage renewable energy business back by a syndicate of VC investors, hired a Commercial Director to develop partnerships, negotiate key contracts, and position the company for Series A funding.

Chief People Officer

International Logistics Company


A global logistics firm sought a Head of HR to lead talent acquisition, implement leadership development programmes, and support cultural transformation during rapid global expansion.



Some of the companies we have helped


Suzanne Day

Since 1999 Suzanne has worked with global technology vendors building their leadership teams across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. With twenty-five years’ experience in search and selection and a specialisation in the technology sector, Suzanne has built a network and reputation which gives the firm access to the best possible talent.


Her trusted advisor status has seen her complete over 175 executive search mandates with 98.7 percent success rate and 100 percent candidate satisfaction. 


Local and global corporations look to Suzanne for crisp guidance to get their desired outcomes. Her clients know her for her quick wit, laser-sharp focus on details, exemplary networks across the region, absolute discretion, and commitment to results.


Suzanne Day

Partner, APAC


James Young

James is the founder and Managing Partner of Morgan Young. James leads Morgan Young’s Asia Pacific Financial Services practice and is based in Sydney. He is a member of the firm’s Board Practice and partners on various senior-level assignments.


James is closely involved in several of the firm’s key client relationships in the region. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently serves as Secretary & Treasurer for the AESC Council of Asia Pacific & Middle East.


James and his team have successfully completed mandates in Retail Banking, Investment Banking, , Corporate Banking, Fintech and Big Data & Advanced Analytics with Australian, UK, US, and Japanese listed corporations.


James Young

Partner, APAC

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.


Clients we have worked with

We've been recruiting in finance for more than 50 years.


Assessing technical skills, cultural fit, motivation and leadership capability is where we excel.


We get to know our candidates in depth, by asking probing questions, challenging their answers and most importantly, we listen intently.


Experts

We've been placing accountants for over 50 years. Identifying the right experience, skillset, industry sector etc. 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.

 


Industry Focus

Technology





Consumer


Sustainability

Industrial

Travel and Leisure


Healthcare



Education


Business Services


Industry Sectors

Technology

Consumer

Sustainability

Nutrition and Well-being

Travel and Leisure



Healthcare

Education

Business Services

With a few kind words

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Some kind words from our clients



A selection of testimonials

Contact us

We instructed Fiona on a role that we have historically found difficult to fill. We worked very closely with her, developing a full job description and person specification. She was very knowledgeable and able to advise us on the best recruitment strategy to identify the successful candidate. It was not easy search but she found us the perfect candidate!

Healthcare CFO

I have known Phil for a number of years. He successfully completed a search for our UK Finance Director position. Throughout the search Phil invested time to make sure that he understood my requirements, our business and our culture. He demonstrated his knowledge and experience by presenting a timely shortlist of extremely strong and relevant candidates, from which I was able to select our UK FD.

Retail CFO

Fiona led the search for a new Group Financial Controller.
I was very impressed with the whole process; given regular weekly updates, a very strong preliminary candidate list and saw some very good candidates, one of which we ultimately offered the job to.
 
I found Fiona to bevery knowledgeable, easy to work with and focused on delivery.  Would definitely use her again. 

CFO - Tech Manufacturing

We have worked with the team at Freshwood Group for a few years. Over that time they have really got to know & understand our business, culture and values which is always reflected in the candidates they introduce to us. They have worked hard to build a relationship with whole business and have always given us professional and timely service.  

VP HR, EMEA - Software (SAAS)

Phil led our search for a new CFO. I was very impressed with the whole process; given regular weekly updates, a very strong preliminary candidate list and saw some very good candidates, one of which we ultimately offered the job to.
 
I found Phil very knowledgeable, easy to work with and focused on delivery.  Would without doubt use him again. 

Group HR Director - Automotive

Freshwood were creative in their approach, stayed in regular contact and were quite prepared to challenge us when they felt it was necessary.  We successfully appointed a CFO, who supported the CEO in an exit process within 12 months. 

Private Equity Investor


We just work very hard for you.