Fractional FD / CFO Recruitment
Strategic Financial Leadership—When You Need It, How You Need It
In today’s fast-paced, capital-conscious environment, businesses increasingly seek fractional finance leadership—senior financial professionals who bring deep strategic insight, commercial acumen, and governance experience on a part-time, project, or interim basis.
At NedCapital, we understand that not every business needs a full-time CFO or Finance Director. But every business, at some point, needs access to that level of expertise. Whether you’re a scale-up preparing for investment, a charity improving governance, or a private equity-backed firm driving margin growth, our Fractional FD/CFO Recruitment service connects you with the right finance leader—when you need them most.
What Is a Fractional FD / CFO?
A fractional Finance Director or CFO is an experienced financial leader who works with an organization on a part-time, interim, or project basis. They offer the full value of an experienced senior finance professional—without the cost or long-term commitment of a full-time appointment. Why not hire a fractional cfo today, our sister company FD Capital specialises in this nice.
Common Engagement Models
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1–3 days per week on a rolling basis
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Fixed-term contracts (3–12 months)
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Project-based engagements (e.g. fundraising, ERP implementation, M&A support)
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Board advisory roles with operational finance involvement
Why Organizations Choose Fractional Finance Leadership
1. Access to Top-Tier Talent at Flexible Cost
Hiring a permanent CFO is a significant financial commitment. A fractional FD/CFO gives you board-level expertise without the permanent overhead.
2. Immediate Impact
Fractional leaders are often available at short notice and bring decades of experience—ready to deliver immediate strategic and operational results.
3. Scalability and Agility
From start-ups preparing for Series A to SMEs pursuing acquisitions, fractional finance leaders help scale your finance function in step with your business journey.
4. Independence and Objectivity
External FDs/CFOs bring fresh eyes and can challenge internal assumptions, uncover inefficiencies, and provide unbiased strategic advice.
5. Support Through Transition
Whether you’re exiting a CFO, implementing systems, or preparing for investment, a fractional appointment ensures continuity and de-risks transitional phases.
Adrian Lawrence FCA has spent over a decade placing fractional Finance Directors and CFOs through FD Capital, the sister business to NED Capital. This depth of experience in fractional finance leadership means NED Capital approaches these briefs with genuine market knowledge — understanding the difference between a business that needs a commercially-focused FD to drive growth and one that needs an experienced CFO to prepare for investment or exit. Adrian’s ICAEW Fellowship and personal background in senior finance roles means he can quickly assess both the technical capability and the commercial orientation required for each fractional brief, matching businesses with finance leaders who can make an immediate and lasting impact.
About Our Founder
Ned Capital was founded by Adrian Lawrence FCA, a Chartered Accountant with over two decades of experience in finance leadership and executive search. Adrian holds a BSc from Queen Mary College, University of London and is a Fellow of the ICAEW. Before founding Ned Capital he worked across private, listed, owner-managed and PE-backed organisations, giving him direct experience of the finance challenges and hiring decisions that CFOs are appointed to solve. He personally leads our most senior CFO searches and conducts candidate interviews himself — which is why our assessment process goes substantially deeper than a standard recruiter screen. He holds a practising certificate and this website is associated with his own ICAEW registered Practice. Every brief Adrian takes is informed by having sat on both sides of the table.
Published Research & Thought Leadership Adrian Lawrence FCA, founder of Ned Capital, actively contributes to advancing the understanding of fractional and interim finance leadership in the UK. His recent peer-reviewed publications on ResearchGate explore the strategic impact of these flexible executive models on business growth, transformation, and scalability — particularly for SMEs, scale-ups, and PE/VC-backed companies.
- The Evolution of Fractional CFO Leadership in Modern UK Businesses (March 2026) — Examining how fractional CFOs are reshaping financial strategy in dynamic markets.
- The Strategic Role of Fractional and Interim Executives in Supporting Organisational Growth and Transformation (March 2026, co-authored) — Insights into how these roles drive efficiency, fundraising success, and long-term value creation.
These works build on Adrian’s 20+ years of hands-on experience in executive finance recruitment and reflect Ned Capital’s commitment to evidence-based, high-impact solutions. Our placements draw directly from these principles to deliver shortlists in 3–7 days that align with real-world strategic needs.
Ned Capital operates in accordance with recognised executive search standards and professional recruitment best practices. We support the principles outlined in the UK government’s executive search code of conduct.
What a Fractional FD/CFO Can Deliver
A skilled fractional finance leader can transform your organization through:
Strategic Finance
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Defining and driving financial strategy aligned to business objectives
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Supporting pricing, growth, and expansion decisions
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Financial modelling and scenario planning
Governance and Controls
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Improving internal controls, financial processes, and reporting structures
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Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations (FCA, Charity Commission, HMRC, etc.)
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Supporting audit and risk committees
Fundraising & Investor Relations
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Preparing for equity/debt fundraising
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Liaising with investors, banks, and financial partners
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Building compelling investor decks and data rooms
Commercial & Operational Finance
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Driving margin improvement and cost discipline
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Overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial KPIs
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Improving working capital and cash flow management
Systems and Infrastructure
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Leading ERP, accounting system or finance transformation projects
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Implementing dashboarding, reporting, and analytics tools
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Restructuring finance teams or upskilling internal talent
Who Typically Needs a Fractional FD or CFO?
We recruit fractional finance leaders for organizations at all stages of growth and change, including:
Scale-Ups & Startups
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Preparing for fundraising (Seed, Series A, B, C)
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Building financial models and investor packs
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Bringing rigour to budgeting and forecasting
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Scaling finance operations and teams
Private Equity-Backed Businesses
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Providing interim leadership post-acquisition
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Supporting bolt-on acquisitions or exits
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Driving operational efficiency and cash flow focus
SMEs in Transition
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Navigating growth or turnaround situations
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Replacing a departing FD on an interim basis
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Professionalising systems, teams, and controls
Charities & Non-Profits
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Providing strategic finance leadership part-time
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Supporting trustees and improving reporting
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Navigating financial resilience or transformation
Family-Owned & Founder-Led Firms
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Advising owners on capital structure and planning
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Supporting succession or preparing for sale
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Bringing an external perspective to decision-making
What Makes a Great Fractional FD/CFO?
At NedCapital, we look for more than just technical expertise. The best fractional finance leaders are:
Strategically Sharp
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They think beyond the balance sheet, adding value to long-term growth plans.
Commercially Grounded
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They understand what drives business performance—and how to measure it.
Emotionally Intelligent
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They quickly earn the trust of CEOs, founders, staff, and stakeholders.
Versatile and Adaptive
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They thrive in ambiguity, fast change, and cross-functional teams.
Mission-Aligned
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They care about the business, not just the contract—and are driven by outcomes.
Our Process: Finding the Right Fit
We take a rigorous yet agile approach to fractional FD/CFO recruitment.
1. Discovery and Scoping
We work with you to understand:
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The financial and commercial context
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Key challenges, goals, and timeframes
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Culture and leadership style
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Budget and commitment level
Then we create a bespoke Engagement Brief.
2. Talent Search and Shortlisting
We identify suitable candidates using:
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Our deep network of vetted FDs/CFOs
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Proprietary talent databases
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Sector-specialist partnerships
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Discreet referrals and recommendations
We assess candidates based on:
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Technical competence and sector relevance
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Track record in similar challenges
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Availability and logistical fit
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Interpersonal and cultural alignment
3. Candidate Engagement
We present a curated shortlist with:
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CVs and professional summaries
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Availability and proposed structure (days per week, duration)
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Commercial terms and rates
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Candidate insights and reference notes
We assist with interview scheduling, offer negotiation, and contracts.
4. Onboarding and Review
We don’t disappear post-placement. We help:
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Structure onboarding and deliverables
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Align expectations with CEOs or boards
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Conduct periodic performance reviews
We stay available to troubleshoot or adapt scope as needed.
Sample Engagements
Here are just a few recent fractional placements made by NedCapital:
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Fractional CFO for a Series A fintech firm: supported a £6m funding round and implemented a new SaaS billing system.
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Part-time FD for a B-Corp-certified FMCG scale-up: improved working capital cycle and prepared board packs for quarterly investor meetings.
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Interim CFO for a PE-backed healthcare company: delivered M&A financial due diligence and led integration efforts post-acquisition.
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Project CFO for a charity undergoing transformation: led budgeting overhaul, grant reporting, and trustee education sessions.
Recent NED Placements
PE-backed technology business — Independent NED
A private equity-backed SaaS business approaching Series B required an independent non-executive director with digital transformation experience and existing relationships in the institutional investor community. Ned Capital identified and placed an INED with prior NED experience on two PE portfolio boards, appointed within six weeks of instruction.
Mid-size charity — Finance-qualified Trustee
A national charity with £8m annual income needed a finance-qualified trustee to chair its audit and risk committee, following the departure of a long-standing board member. The brief required someone with ICAEW or ACCA qualification and experience of Charity Commission reporting. Ned Capital placed a qualified chartered accountant with prior trustee experience within the voluntary sector.
Founder-led professional services firm — First NED appointment
A founder-led consultancy with 45 employees sought its first non-executive director to provide independent strategic oversight and help the founders navigate a planned management buyout. Ned Capital sourced a NED with direct MBO experience and sector-relevant commercial background, providing the independent voice the founders needed while maintaining the flexibility appropriate to a business at this stage.
AIM-listed company — Additional independent director
An AIM-listed business required an additional independent non-executive director to meet QCA Corporate Governance Code requirements following a secondary listing. The candidate needed to satisfy independence criteria under the QCA Code and be comfortable in a publicly reported governance role. Ned Capital placed a candidate with prior AIM NED experience and a relevant sector background within eight weeks.
Why Partner with NedCapital?
We bring a unique mix of financial and board-level recruitment expertise to every assignment.
Deep Networks
We maintain a curated talent pool of pre-vetted, referenced fractional FDs/CFOs across the UK and internationally.
Speed and Precision
We understand your time is valuable. We can deliver quality candidates within 7–14 days, depending on urgency and scope.
Sector Intelligence
We understand the nuances of finance leadership across sectors: tech, healthcare, consumer goods, charities, financial services, and more.
Personalised Approach
We don’t force-fit candidates. Every placement is bespoke and aligned with your business and values.
Governance Standards and Regulatory Framework
Non-executive director appointments in the UK operate within a well-established governance framework. The principal standards that govern NED roles — and that Ned Capital applies in assessing candidate suitability — are set out by the following bodies:
Companies Act 2006
The primary legislation governing director duties and responsibilities in the UK
Women on Boards UK
Board diversity resource and guidance on gender balance in NED appointments
Ned Capital assesses all NED candidates against the independence criteria set out in the relevant governance code for your organisation — whether that is the FRC UK Corporate Governance Code for premium-listed companies, the QCA Code for AIM businesses, or Charity Commission guidance for charity trustee appointments. We also consider Equality Act 2010 requirements in all search and shortlisting processes, and draw on the Hampton-Alexander Review recommendations on board diversity where relevant to the brief.
Pricing and Commercial Models
We offer flexible pricing structures to suit different types of engagements:
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Fixed-Fee Project Placements
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Day-Rate Interim Contracts
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Retained Search for Strategic Part-Time CFOs
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Subscription-Based Talent Pools (ideal for VC/PE portfolios)
We’re always transparent, fair, and value-driven.
Ready to Find Your Fractional Finance Leader?
If you’re considering a fractional FD or CFO, we’re here to guide you through the process. Whether you’re scaling up, restructuring, or just need extra firepower—we can introduce you to experienced, dependable professionals who’ve been there before.
Contact the NedCapital Finance Leadership Team:
📞 Call: +44 (0)20 3951 0912
📧 Email: info@nedcapital.co.uk
🌍 Web: www.nedcapital.co.uk
📍 Office: 167–169 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF
Final Word
In uncertain times, access to experienced, agile finance leadership can be a game changer. The right fractional FD or CFO can unlock funding, streamline operations, and build the foundation for long-term growth—all without the overhead of a full-time executive.
At NedCapital, we specialise in matching organizations with the right leader, right now.
Let’s start a conversation.
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