For over 20 years, we’ve worked with SME business owners to help them improve profitability, gain control of their finances, and build stronger, more resilient businesses.

We support ambitious owner-managers, founders, and directors who want clearer financial visibility, better decision-making, and more confidence in how their business is performing and where it’s heading.

Rather than acting as external advisors, we become part of your team, providing experienced, board-level support that helps you move forward with clarity and direction. Our team includes Finance Directors, CFOs, Non-Executive Directors, Operations Directors and Management Accountants, all bringing practical, hands-on experience to your business.

Accredited Professionals, Proven Results

Every member of the Secantor team is personally accredited by our directors. We hand-select professionals for their technical excellence, leadership capability, and real-world business acumen across both blue-chip and SME environments. This accreditation process ensures you receive the same high standard of service, whoever you work with.

In addition to your dedicated Secantor resource, you’ll benefit from Client Care — regular oversight and support from a Secantor Director who acts as a sounding board, challenger and quality guardian throughout the engagement.

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Book a Free 30-Minute Business Review

Paul Gibbins

Use the calendar to book a free 30-minute call with Paul and get clarity on your next steps

On the call, you’ll:

Identify what’s holding back your profit and growth
Gain clearer direction on your business priorities
Understand how to improve cashflow and performance
Explore practical steps to move your business forward

No obligation

30-minute call

Expert advice

Our Approach

We don’t believe in rigid frameworks or one-size-fits-all consultancy models. Instead, we listen, adapt, and embed ourselves within your business — understanding what truly drives performance and where support will make the biggest impact. Secantor is not an accounting firm, recruitment agency, or traditional management consultancy; our professionals embed as part of your management team and take responsibility for delivery.

Our clients trust us because we take ownership, act with integrity, and deliver measurable results. Whether it’s guiding strategic growth, improving management reporting, strengthening board governance, or preparing for investment or exit, Secantor is the partner you can rely on.

Growing but feeling overwhelmed?

Your business is moving forward, but you need more structure, stronger financial visibility, and better support to manage growth confidently.

Struggling with profit or cashflow?

You are working hard, but profitability is under pressure and cashflow feels unpredictable or difficult to control.

Thinking about the future or planning an exit?

You want to build a stronger, more valuable business and prepare properly for the next stage, whether that is stepping back, selling, or planning ahead.

✅ A Secantor Director personally oversees each client providing added value and ensuring you get the highest quality of service from your dedicated business professional

✅ Fully flexible service putting you in control of how much time you use. We’re straight-forward to deal with: no ties ins, and no notice required to pause or cancel

✅ Access to our professional network of experts to provide specialist support in a wide range of business disciplines

How Secantor Helps SME Businesses

Many SME business owners reach a stage where better financial visibility, stronger commercial decision-making and more structured strategic support become essential for growth. Secantor provides experienced Fractional Finance Directors, Fractional CFOs, Interim Finance Directors, Interim CFOs and Non-Executive Directors who work alongside business owners and leadership teams to improve clarity, control, profitability and long-term business performance.

Without Support Vs With Secantor
Without Support	With Secantor
Trial-and-error business decisions	Structured strategic planning and commercial guidance
Limited financial visibility	Clear board-level financial insight and reporting
Reactive cash flow management	Proactive forecasting and cash flow planning
Slow or uncertain business growth	Commercially focused growth planning and support
Owners carrying too much operational responsibility	Stronger leadership support and accountability
Financial information produced too late to act	Timely management reporting and KPI visibility
Limited understanding of profitability drivers	Better visibility over margins, pricing and business performance
Difficulty preparing for funding or investment	Investor and lender-ready financial planning and reporting
Operational inefficiencies remaining unresolved	Improved systems, processes and financial controls
Businesses overly dependent on the owner	More scalable and transferable business structures
Unstructured board meetings and reactive leadership	Experienced board-level challenge and strategic guidance
Business planning based mainly on instinct	Financial modelling and evidence-based decision-making
Limited succession or exit preparation	Business value growth and exit planning support
Isolated leadership teams without senior financial guidance	Experienced CFOs, Finance Directors and NEDs integrated within the business
Feeling stuck reacting to problems	Greater confidence, clarity and strategic direction

PAUL GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

Paul is an experienced adviser and business executive within SMEs specialising in profit improvement and development of high-performing teams. He acts in a variety of executive and non-executive roles mentoring directors & supporting board-level decision-making to enable businesses to grow sustainably.

Paul has over 20 years of commercial & operational management experience leading teams to introduce systems & processes to improve profitability, planning, control, productivity and add value in both large & small businesses. Paul has an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School.

TREVOR GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

A very widely experienced company director and adviser to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Trevor acts in a variety of executive & non-executive roles for clients which also include Chairman, MD, NED, FD, Company Doctor and Mentor to Owners & Boards. His prime focus is business strategy, change management, team building & development funding for growth businesses helping to build substantial value into owner-managed companies.

Following financial & general management roles in large corporates and MD of a 5th generation family business, Trevor has since 1994 acted as a consultant, director & coach with more than 700 SMEs.

JOHN DERNIE - REGIONAL DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST

John has 30 years of financial management experience within small, medium & large business including Whitbread and Sony Music, where he held a variety of roles including European Finance Director. His sector experience is equally broad including manufacturing, media, software, leisure, technology, services and retail sectors.

For over 20 years, John has supported SME businesses in start-up, growth, consolidation, turnaround and exit modes and brings sound financial management, solid corporate governance and clear-headed strategic thinking to his clients. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, is a fluent German speaker and lives in Wiltshire.

JULIA BRANSON - SENIOR ASSOCIATE

A widely experienced Company Director and Adviser to SME businesses with extensive financial & management experience of enabling business owners to navigate change throughout the business lifecycle from start-up to exit. Julia has worked collaboratively, pre-empting and sensitively responding innovatively to challenges and creating solutions that sustain growth and redevelopment.

Julia practised with PwC, Deloitte & KPMG over more than 30 years leading teams delivering financial & restructuring services in the South East including providing introductions to a well-established network of businesses, bankers, private investors & legal advisors. Since 2013 Julia has worked as an Independent Consultant, Director and Coach to SME business owners, shareholders and family businesses.

JAS JOSHI - NED & FRACTIONAL CFO / FD

Jas is an experienced CFO/Finance Director and adviser to SMEs and entrepreneurs. He has over 35 years management experience including Selfridges, Burberrys, Avis Europe Plc, IBM and Laura Ashley Plc covering manufacturing, software, technology, services, charity and retail sectors.

For the past fifteen years Jas has supported SME’s through turnaround and growth situations covering cash management, IT, HR, business plans, fund raising and management reporting. Jas has managed successful exit’s including appointment of advisors, marketing, due diligence, legals and completion of deals. He is an FCCA with an Executive MBA from London Business School.

HELEN KRONHEIM - FRACTIONAL CFO / FD & OPS DIRECTOR

Helen is a highly experienced Finance and Operations Director with over 25 years of success driving growth across diverse organisations. She has a proven track record in implementing strategic change, building robust systems, and leveraging technology for optimised processes and productivity gains. She is a passionate advocate for unlocking value through automation and continuous improvement, with a strong background in global corporations, SMEs and start-ups.

Helen trained in industry and commerce and has worked across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, technology, professional services, communications and IT services.

RICHARD JENNINGS - NED & FRACTIONAL CFO / FD

Richard is an experienced NED and CFO/FD to SME businesses with a commercial career spanning over 30 years

A Qualified Chartered Accountant, Richard is an astute leader with a proven track record in executing high-growth strategies and identifying management buy-and-build opportunities. He has worked with senior boards and divisions globally and has an in-depth experience of setting up businesses in new markets and restructuring fast-moving companies in the UK, US, and Emerging Markets.

Richard has experience with SME’s and start-ups and has helped a number of Innovation backed business which were seeking funding and commercial input. He is very experienced in financial modelling and forecasting, often presenting to PE and HNW investors as well as institutional debt. His experience in M&A provide Richard with excellent negotiation and communication skills.