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

Senior advisors for owner-managed businesses in Oxford and Oxfordshire

Secantor provides part-time Finance Directors, CFOs, Non-Executive Directors and Operations Directors to owner-managed businesses in Oxford and Oxfordshire, and we also provide part-time Management Accountants. Our advisors become part of your management team for the days you need, so you get board-level experience without the cost of a full-time executive.

We visit businesses in Oxford, Kidlington, Abingdon, Witney, Bicester and Banbury, and across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

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What Does Board-Level Support Mean For An Owner-Managed Business In Oxford?

In Oxford, board-level support means a Secantor Finance Director, CFO, Non-Executive Director or Operations Director joins your management team and takes on the senior work the business has outgrown, for the days it needs.

The work usually falls into five areas:

  • Direction. A plan and rolling forecast to steer by.
  • Cash. Day to day cash control and a credible story for the bank.
  • Reporting. Monthly figures and KPIs explained in plain terms.
  • Challenge. A second opinion on the big decisions before they are made.
  • Delivery. Clear roles and targets, so plans become results.

Oxford and its surrounding towns sit on the M40 and A34 corridors, so owner-managed businesses here compete with London and the Thames Valley for senior people. Part-time support gives them the leadership of a larger business without the salary.

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Which Board-Level Roles Suit Oxford Businesses?

Start with whichever problem is costing the most. Four situations come up repeatedly.

If the figures themselves are the problem, we also provide a Part-Time Management Accountant in Oxford. Where a finance leader has left or a transaction has appeared, an Interim Finance Director or Interim CFO can step in quickly. To weigh the options, see Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO.

How Does Secantor Work With Oxford Businesses?

Secantor starts with a visit to see the business in action and hear what you want from it, and then recommends the advisor best placed to work with your people.

We can also introduce the lenders, solicitors and accountants we work with in Oxfordshire. For an independent check before you commit to anything, our Strategic Business Review looks at the business across eight areas.

A non-executive director chairing a meeting with an SME management team
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How Have We Helped Owner-Managed Businesses Like Yours?

From founder-managed cash to a permanent finance team

A founder had built a motor trade business turning over £14m, but he was still managing its cash himself. Finance managers had come and gone, the monthly accounts could not be relied on and the business needed new funding.

A six-month Secantor Interim CFO took control of cash, rebuilt the monthly reporting and helped secure the funding. A Financial Controller was brought in, then a permanent Finance Director, so the founder could get back to running the business. Read the full case study.

From manual processes to a business a larger group wanted to buy

A well-regarded engineering services business turning over about £3m had outgrown its paper-based systems: quotes were worked out by hand and jobs tracked in files.

Two part-time Secantor executives worked with the directors. One built a forecasting model and monthly reporting and trained the in-house Finance Director to run them. The other redesigned the processes, adding a quote engine, a digital job workflow and a digital diary. The business grew sales and profit strongly, and the family owners later sold it to a larger engineering group, which then asked Secantor to help replicate the improvements across the group. Read the full case study.

What Do Oxford Business Owners Ask About Board-Level Support?

Do you work outside Oxford itself?

Yes. Our advisors visit businesses in Kidlington, Abingdon, Witney, Bicester and Banbury, and across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

How much does board-level support cost?

A day of Finance Director, CFO or Non-Executive Director time costs £1,200 plus VAT and expenses. Most businesses begin with two to four days a month. Our cost guide sets out the figures.

Where should we begin?

Begin with the problem that costs you most. Unreliable figures point to a Finance Director or Management Accountant. A decision on funding, pricing or a sale points to a CFO. A board that needs challenge points to a Non-Executive Director. A business that depends on its owner points to an Operations Director.

Do you provide bookkeeping?

No. Your bookkeeper or accountant carries on with that work, and Secantor sits above it as the senior finance and management layer.

What happens at the first meeting?

We come to you, listen to how the business got where it is, and then give you an independent view and a recommendation. There is no obligation.

Smiling business owner shaking hands with an advisor

Next Steps

The first step in Oxford is a Free Business Review. A conversation comes first, then a visit to your premises to hear what the business is aiming for and what is slowing it down. You get an independent view and no commitment. If you would rather speak to a Secantor Director first, book a discovery call.

BOOK A CALL WITH AN EXPERT

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

“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 and Co-founder of Montezuma’s Chocolates

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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

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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
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Peter Laurie Joins Secantor As Regional Director
Peter Laurie Regional Director at Secantor Business Services
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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
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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?
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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

Learn More
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!