CFO in new Electronics Mfr Buy-Build (equity participation)

Background

Independence Capital ("IC") are a hybrid private equity & advisory firm specialising in developing new management-led buy-build groups. IC commonly enable teams and leaders who have scaled and (or) exited with private equity before but whom wish for their next venture to see management more favourably benefit from value creation and operate with increased autonomy than with traditional Private Equity. To date IC have supported teams who have exited for over £2bn.

Strategy (Project Spark)

Founded by serial management team (Chair and CEO) who have scaled and exited multiple Electronic Mfr & Distribution businesses on behalf of Private Equity for sums in excess of £200m to date. Acquisition thesis being to acquire an estate of narrow but high-value-add electronic component manufacturing businesses in the UK before taking those on a scale (new channels, new markets & product development) programme as part of a single brand.

The strategy is in Design & Build phase, with 2026 expected to see two contemporaneous acquisitions which will form the Platform into which 1-2 acquisitions per annum are then added into ahead of a disposal within the next 5 years (time not limited). The nascency of group will afford CFO candidates an opportunity to participate in founder priced paid equity as well as incentive plan equity (target returns 5-7x returns).

Role

IC build groups with a Data First mentality - the CFO will be the primary leader and architect of a centralised finance function which will lead all other functions in the business with best-in-class end-to-end reporting, leveraging BI/ERP and automation.

Acquisitions will be of SME owner-managed business typically £3-£10m turnover, and those invariably requiring significant reengineering of people, systems, processes. The right candidate will be familiar with this target demographic and build/enhancement journey as well as knowing what good looks like at scale in a diversified manufacturing group.

The role is genuinely CFO; balancing the Strategic, Tactical and Operational requirements of the whole group, reporting to the Board of which they will be a full member and statutory Director.

Candidates will be expected to not only bring their technical skill-set and experience to their function but to extend their input in a collaborative and collegiate approach identifying opportunities and solving problems as a team.

Requirements

• Over 5 years experience at Board level
• Over 7 years experience of Manufacturing, ideally in high-value componentry/systems
• Demonstrable track record of enhancing EBITDA/EV through financial actions
• Demonstrable experience translating financial requirements into operational actions
• Demonstrable track record of working in/with SME manufacturing businesses (£3-20m T/O)
• Demonstrable track record of working in Mid-Sized manufacturing businesses (to 50m T/O)
• Desirable to have experience of change management/integration but not essential
• Desirable to have M&A experience but not essential
• Desirable to have prior PE experience and delivery of exits but not essential
• For outstanding emerging candidates; consideration would be given for those taking on their first CFO role - having previously reported to a Group/CFO i.e in FD/Div FD/Group FC/Group FP&A roles - especially where domain knowledge is highly relevant to the strategy.

Package

• On a by candidate basis
• Salary range £130-£170k
• LTIP comprising Bonus & Equity award
• Opportunity to contribute to founder seed equity pot (expected multi-million yield)