Board-Level Finance Director, CFO & NED Services In London

Part-time and interim senior advisors who become part of your management team

Secantor provides part-time and interim Finance Directors, CFOs, Non-Executive Directors, Operations Directors and Management Accountants to owner-managed businesses across London and the Home Counties. Our advisors work alongside you for the days you need, bringing board-level experience without the cost of a full-time appointment.

We meet you at your premises, wherever you are in London, and work with owners and leadership teams across the wider South East and the Thames Valley.

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Why Do London Businesses Need Board-Level Support?

London has more private sector businesses than any other part of the UK, with nearly a million at the start of 2024, and the South East comes second. For an owner-managed business that concentration cuts both ways. London offers access to customers, talent, lenders and investors, but it also brings high fixed costs, intense competition for senior people and little tolerance for weak financial control.

Our London clients span a wide range of sectors including e-commerce, financial services, software, professional services, manufacturing, construction, property, fashion and recruitment. What they share is an owner who has built something valuable and now needs the financial leadership, board discipline and independent challenge to take it further, without the cost of a full-time executive team.

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Which Board-Level Roles Suit London Businesses?

London businesses tend to face three pressures: high fixed costs, uneven cash and fast growth. The role that helps most depends on which one is biting.

If the numbers arrive late, start with a Management Accountant. Need cover in a hurry? See our Interim Finance Director service, or read Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO.

How Does Secantor Work With London Businesses?

We come to you, wherever you are in London, and spend the time where decisions are made: at your premises, with your team and alongside your board.

London owners have more choice of advisers than anyone, and less time to sort through them. Our job is to match you with one experienced advisor, supported by a senior Secantor director, who knows businesses of your size.

We can introduce the clearing banks, specialist lenders, law firms and accountants we work with in London and across the South East, which helps most when you are refinancing, raising investment or preparing for a sale. If the board disagrees about where the business is heading, our Strategic Business Review gives an independent, evidence-based view first, and is often the quickest way to find common ground.

A board meeting chaired by a non-executive director
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How Have We Helped London Businesses?

A building materials business with sites in London and the Thames Valley that found £350,000 of hidden profit

A long-established building materials business with three sites across London and the Thames Valley was turning over about £3.5m but making a net loss of £225,000, and its bank was reviewing its overdraft. The directors knew their market well but were too close to the day to day to see what was driving the losses.

Secantor carried out an independent review and built a financial model. It showed that falling wholesale sales were only part of the problem: an oversized warehouse was an underused asset, not just a cost. The directors launched a storage and logistics service for other businesses, cleared slow moving stock through a dedicated platform, shifted attention from sales volume to margin and began charging for delivery.

The review identified more than £350,000 of additional profit opportunities. Read the full case study.

Our 5-Point Commitment to You

✅ Expert Advice You Can Rely On: You’ll work with a qualified, experienced professional who’s focused on results.

✅ A Trusted Working Relationship: We select someone who fits your culture, team, and goals.

✅ Tailored Support for Your Business: No templates — just relevant, practical, hands-on input.

✅ Dependable, Consistent Delivery: We meet deadlines, keep promises, and deliver lasting impact.

✅ Clear, Proactive Communication: No jargon. Just senior-level expertise, clearly delivered.

Next Steps

Not sure what you need yet? Begin with our Free Business Review: a conversation about where the business is heading, followed by a visit to your premises. You get an independent view of where senior support would help most, with no obligation.

If you would rather talk first, book a discovery call.

BOOK A CALL WITH AN EXPERT

Frequently Asked Questions About Board-Level Support In London

Do you work with businesses that have sites outside London?

Yes. We have worked with businesses with sites across London, the Thames Valley and the wider South East. We come to wherever the decisions are made.

We have large swings in cash through the year. Can you help?

Yes. A rolling cashflow forecast, tighter credit control and an honest conversation with the funder usually make the biggest difference.

What does a part-time Finance Director or CFO cost in London?

Our Finance Director and CFO support is charged at £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses, and many businesses start with two to four days a month. See our guide.

Can an interim Finance Director or CFO start at short notice?

Yes. They can take control of cash, reporting and funder relationships while you decide on the permanent solution. See our Interim CFO service.

Can you help us raise funding or prepare for a sale?

Yes. Our CFOs and Finance Directors prepare forecasts, lender presentations and due diligence information, and can introduce lenders and advisors where that helps.

Smiling business owner shaking hands with an advisor

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Book a Free 30-Minute Business Review

Paul (colour)

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

Free Business Review

No two businesses are the same. This is why we offer a free business review. We can arrange an initial chat with one of our experts to get things started. Then a couple of our team members will visit you to listen to the story of your business. From this meeting, we’ll be able to provide you with some interesting insights into your business from our independent experience. This will allow you to see how we work and help us to select the right expert for your business. Contact us to book a free consultation.

Why not read one of our short case studies to learn about Secantor's impact.

“We will never forget your huge contribution to Montezuma’s and your constant support, encouragement and all the board room laughs. Thank you for everything!” - Helen Pattinson, MD & Co-founder of Montezuma’s Chocolates

BOOK A FREE BUSINESS REVIEW

Want to Boost Your Business Profits?

Profitability is the heartbeat of any successful business. Ready to take your business to the next level? Download your free guide and discover 10 powerful strategies to increase your business profits today!

Inside this guide, you'll discover how to:

✓ Create a budget that works for you

✓ Identify profit hotspots (and tackle any losses)

✓ Maximise sales while keeping costs in check

✓ Master the difference between 'Mark-up' and 'Margin'

…and so much more!

Click the button below to get instant access to your free guide and start growing your profits now!

Ways Secantor Will Help You

4 Develop a Plan
Develop & Implement A Successful Plan
5 Optimise Finances
Optimise Your Finances
6 Develop a Team
Develop A Strong Accountable Team
7 Build Value in Your Business
Build Value In Your Business
8 Improve Operational Efficiency
Improve Operational Efficiency
9 Exit Your Business Successfully
Exit Your Business Successfully

Read Our Latest Case Studies

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The image shows a wooden surface with a row of six round, bite-sized chocolate truffles, each coated in various toppings like chocolate, nuts, and sprinkles. The background is blurred with hints of greenery.

Achieving the Dream Business Exit

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Achieving the Dream Business Exit
Interim Finance Director Case Study

The Value of an Interim Finance Director

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The Value of an Interim Finance Director
Resolving Board Conflict

Resolving Boardroom Conflict

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Resolving Boardroom Conflict

What Does It Take to Build a Successful SME?

This guide is designed for ambitious SME owners who want to:

  • Focus on what actually drives growth
  • Spot where profit is being lost
  • Improve margins with smarter decisions
  • Strengthen cash flow and financial control
  • Build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth
  • Take practical action that moves the business forward
Secantor Guide Mock up

Read Our Latest Blog Posts

View Our Blog Posts
Peter Laurie Joins Secantor As Regional Director
Peter Laurie Regional Director at Secantor Business Services
News

Peter Laurie Joins Secantor As Regional Director

Experienced entrepreneur and Non-Executive Director to support SME owners across London and the South East Secantor Business Services is delighted to welcome Peter Laurie as Regional Director for London and the South East, bringing several decades of expe…

Oct 2, 2026, 10:10:09 AM
What Financial Support Does A Business Need At Each Stage Of Growth?
Business owner and finance director walking through a workshop discussing growth plans
Finance Director

What Financial Support Does A Business Need At Each Stage Of Growth?

How does financial support change as a business grows? The financial support a business needs changes as it grows, but the change is driven less by turnover than by the complexity and consequence of the decisions the owner is facing. A start-up needs a cr…

Sep 14, 2026, 9:00:00 AM
Fractional Vs Part-Time Vs Interim CFO: Which Does Your Business Need?
SME business owner discussing strategy with a fractional CFO in a modern office
CFO

Fractional Vs Part-Time Vs Interim CFO: Which Does Your Business Need?

A Fractional CFO and a Part-Time CFO are, in practice, the same arrangement: senior financial leadership for an agreed number of days each month, with no fixed end date. An Interim CFO is different. They join temporarily, usually for more days, to cover a…

Aug 18, 2026, 9:00:00 AM

Our Services

We help you make strategic decisions

Secantor provides expert financial and management support to SME owners and directors. Our commercially experienced team covers the following roles.

1 Non-Executive Director

Non-Executive Director

Strategic support and experience to guide you as you make decisions and build value in your business. A NED acts as a sounding board for your ideas, improves business performance, holds you and your team to account and helps you achieve a successful exit.

Responsibilities

✓ Strategic business planning

✓ Support strategic decision-making

✓ Set business goals and objectives

✓ Rejuvenate struggling businesses

✓ Manage growth effectively

✓ Implement best practice

✓ Sounding board for your ideas

✓ Set and communicate vision

✓ Hold you & your team to account

✓ Build an effective management team

Learn More
2 Finance Director

Finance Director

Expert financial leadership from a commercially experienced, qualified accountant. An FD will create financial plans, report your monthly performance against budget and interpret the figures to help you make sound decisions & improve profitability.

Responsibilities

✓ Expert financial advice

✓ Interpret financial results a support decisions

✓ Develop & oversee your finance team

✓ Improve profitability & control costs

✓ Prepare management accounts

✓ Create 3-5 year financial plan

✓ Budget setting

✓ Source appropriate funding

✓ Cashflow forecasting & management

✓ Prepare reports & commentaries for your bank

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3 Operations Director

Operations Director

Strategic operational leadership to transform your people and business processes to improve efficiency and profitability. An Operations Director helps you build a strong management team, delegate operational actions and improve business performance.

Responsibilities

✓ Develop strength in your management team

✓ Establish key performance indicators (KPIs)

✓ Hold people accountable to achieve results

✓ Process and quality improvement

✓ Help you delegate effectively

✓ Create clear job descriptions

✓ Identify and recruit talent

✓ Implement robust operational systems

✓ Establish clear goals and expectations

✓ Enable your team to achieve excellence

Learn More

Free Business Review

Discover tailored insights for your business with our simple 3-step process: a quick chat, an onsite visit, and expert advice.
Book your free consultation today!