We recruit CEOs, CFOs and directors for main boards, operating boards and senior leadership teams. Our work spans sectors and ownership structures, including PLCs, private equity-backed businesses, family companies and privately owned firms.

Each search starts with understanding the business, its ambitions and what the appointment needs to achieve. We map the relevant market, research potential candidates and approach people directly and discreetly—including those who are not actively considering a move. Detailed conversations explore their experience, leadership style and suitability for the role.

You work directly with experienced search professionals throughout, from shaping the brief to securing the appointment. Confidentiality, clear communication and a thorough search underpin our approach.

Finance remains a central part of Freshwood’s work. We recruit CFOs and Finance Directors, alongside the people who lead and support the wider finance function.

Our remit includes Financial Controllers, Heads of Finance, Directors of FP&A, Heads of Financial Reporting, Commercial Finance Managers and Finance Business Partners. We support individual appointments and broader team builds, across permanent, interim and fractional requirements.

We take time to understand what the role involves in practice: the technical demands, the commercial priorities and the people it supports. Whether you need a hands-on Financial Controller for a growing business or a specialist reporting into the CFO, we bring the same personal involvement and attention to finding the right fit.

We work with private equity and venture capital investors and their portfolio companies to recruit leaders and strengthen finance teams.

From an initial investment through growth, acquisition and preparation for exit, we help businesses find people suited to the demands of each stage.

We understand the pace, the need for transparent reporting and the importance of a productive relationship between investors, founders and management. Successful appointments must balance strategic ambition with practical delivery, bringing both commercial confidence and a willingness to get into the detail.

Our searches reflect the investment plan, the company’s culture and the priorities ahead. Whether appointing a CEO or CFO, or building the team around them, we look for people who can earn trust, take responsibility and deliver.

We recruit at board level, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other executive roles.

We are also specialists in senior finance positions - helping CFOs to build high performing teams. 

Our clients span the full spectrum of private sector ownership; listed, private equity and venture backed, family owned and founder led, from early stage businesses to large multinationals.