Full job descriptionHarper May is working with a UK-listed retail group operating 200+ stores across mainstream fashion and homeware. The business generates sustained revenues in the mid-£500m range, operates across owned and concession channels, and is backed by institutional shareholders. Following the departure of its previous CFO, the group is now seeking a Chief Financial Officer to rejoin the executive team and lead financial strategy through a period of operational refocus and channel modernisation.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO and the Board, you will own all aspects of financial leadership: group strategy, capital allocation, financial controls, and performance management. This is a full CFO mandate. The business is mature, operationally sound, and well-governed - the challenge now is to optimise working capital efficiency, support the acceleration of online channels, and build stakeholder confidence in a refreshed financial narrative.
*Develop and communicate a multi-year financial strategy that balances store productivity, ecommerce growth, and margin protection across the estate
*Lead budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance reporting to the Board with commercial insight and rigorous analysis
*Partner with the Chief Operating Officer and buying teams to drive inventory discipline and cash conversion
*Oversee capital expenditure decisions, lease negotiations, and working capital management across a complex store estate
*Strengthen finance function capability, systems, and governance to support scale and reduce reliance on manual processes
*Lead statutory reporting, audit relationships, and compliance with listed company requirements
*Build and manage a finance team of 8-12 people aligned to group priorities and cultural standards
What we are looking for

*ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with proven CFO or Deputy CFO experience in multi-channel retail
*Demonstrated success in cash flow optimisation, inventory management, and margin protection in a retail environment
*Experience operating as a trusted member of a listed company Board
*Strong systems knowledge and comfort with financial planning tools and ERP platforms
*Leadership maturity, clarity of communication, and the ability to influence without authority
*Knowledge of ecommerce economics and omnichannel financial dynamics is a genuine advantage