Interim CFO Services In London

Temporary board-level leadership for funding, transactions and change

An Interim CFO joins a London business's management team temporarily to provide strategic financial leadership during a funding event, a transaction, a restructuring or a gap at the top. They take responsibility for delivering, lead the conversation with funders and investors, and help the owner and the board make the decisions that matter, as a director would. Secantor provides experienced Interim CFOs across London and the Home Counties, understanding the situation before proposing the right person.

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What Does An Interim CFO Do?

An Interim CFO joins the management team and takes responsibility for the priority that brought them in. The areas of support typically include:

  • Funding: preparing the case for lenders and investors, including a three to five year financial forecast model covering profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow, and managing those relationships.
  • Treasury discipline: cash visibility across entities, banks and currencies.
  • Transactions: forecasts, due diligence information and negotiations for an acquisition, sale or refinance.
  • Board leadership: commercial challenge and a clear plan, keeping the board accountable for delivering it while a permanent CFO is recruited.
  • A partner in the decisions: working alongside the owner and the directors on the big calls, and building a stronger, more accountable management team.
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When Does A London Business Need An Interim CFO?

A London business benefits from an Interim CFO when it needs senior financial leadership quickly and for a defined period: a funding round or sale that needs a senior lead, a restructuring or a period of rapid growth that needs strategic oversight, a board that needs an experienced hand, or a gap at the top when the CFO has left. An Interim CFO takes responsibility for delivering the priority, works alongside the owner, the directors and the finance team, and hands over cleanly when the work is done.

Our guide to the benefits of an Interim CFO sets out the case.

How A Secantor Interim CFO Helped A London Business

Securing funding after a CFO left

When its CFO left suddenly, a London recruitment business with overseas operations needed its funding secured. A Secantor Interim Finance Director moved the business to a new funder within a month without missing a weekly contractor payroll, and managed a facility that grew from £3m to £4.2m. They then helped the incoming permanent CFO scope a group Treasury Manager role to manage cash across several entities and countries, so the CFO could focus on strategy. Read the full case study.

An interim CFO in London discussing funding strategy with a business owner

How An Interim CFO Works With You

An Interim CFO assignment starts with Secantor listening to what is at stake. We recommend the Interim CFO we think fits, or more than one if you would like to choose; each has held CFO, Finance Director or Non-Executive Director roles and is accredited by our directors. The assignment runs for a defined period that you can extend, and the Interim CFO takes a seat in your management team and owns the priority you agree, with a senior Secantor director behind them.

What Does An Interim CFO Cost In London?

Our Finance Director, CFO and Non-Executive Director support is charged at £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses, invoiced monthly for the days worked. An interim assignment usually needs more days in a shorter period than a part-time arrangement, so we agree the days with you at the start, and you can increase or decrease them as the situation develops. For ongoing support afterwards, see our Part-Time CFO service.

An interim CFO working with a London-based board
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What Is The Difference Between An Interim CFO And An Interim Finance Director?

An Interim CFO concentrates on strategy, funding and transactions. An Interim Finance Director concentrates on control, reporting and cash. We recommend the right role once we have met you and seen what is most urgent in the business. See our Interim Finance Director service, or read Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO.

How An Interim CFO Can Become A Part-Time CFO

An Interim CFO can become a part-time CFO, and it is a common route, because the advisor already knows the business, its funders and its people. Once the funding event or transaction is complete, the Interim CFO can move to ongoing strategic support as part of your management team, or hand over to a permanent appointment with the knowledge intact.

An interim CFO making financial plans with a business owner in London

Starting With A Free Business Review

If you are weighing up interim cover, the Free Business Review starts with a conversation about what is at stake, then we come to you to hear the full story. You receive an independent view of where interim CFO leadership would help most, with our recommendation and no obligation.

Our 5-Point Commitment to You

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

✅ A Trusted Working Relationship: We select advisors who fit 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

Start with a Free Business Review, or book a discovery call with a Secantor Director.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Interim CFOs In London

Is an Interim CFO a consultant?

No. An Interim CFO is part of your management team for as long as the assignment lasts. They answer for the priority that brought them in and help you make the big decisions, as a director would, then hand over cleanly.

How long does an Interim CFO stay?

For as long as the funding event, transaction or gap lasts, typically months rather than years.

Can an Interim CFO help us raise funding?

Yes. They prepare forecasts and lender presentations and manage the relationship with funders.

How is an Interim CFO different from a part-time CFO?

An Interim CFO joins temporarily, usually for more days, to cover a gap or lead a defined project. A part-time CFO provides ongoing support as part of your management team.

How quickly can an Interim CFO start?

At short notice. We can usually introduce an experienced advisor quickly, depending on the situation.

Can an Interim CFO work with our existing finance team and advisors?

Yes. An Interim CFO works alongside your finance team, accountants and funders, and hands over cleanly at the end of the assignment, whether to a permanent CFO or to ongoing part-time support.

Not quite found the answer you need? Contact our team and we will get back to you personally.

Interested in how senior support could help in other areas too? Learn more about our Non-Executive Directors and Fractional Operations Directors.

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  • 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

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