Finance Director Services

FD Capital provides Finance Director services to UK businesses on a flexible basis — outsourced, fractional, part-time, interim and portfolio. We connect businesses with experienced Finance Directors who can lead the finance function, support growth and provide the strategic financial oversight that a business at the right stage genuinely needs.

Call 020 3287 9501 to discuss your Finance Director requirement, or complete the form below. Shortlists typically within 3–7 working days

FD Capital specialises exclusively in Finance Director and CFO recruitment and services. That focus means our candidate network is deeper, our understanding of what businesses need at different stages is more developed, and our ability to match the right FD to the right situation is sharper than a generalist recruiter can offer.

We provide Finance Director services across five engagement models:

Outsourced Finance Director

An outsourced Finance Director provides a fully managed FD service — taking ownership of the finance function, managing the finance team, and providing the strategic financial input your CEO and board need, all on a flexible basis without a permanent headcount commitment. FD Capital provides outsourced FD services directly to businesses across the UK. Our outsourced Finance Director service covers both the placement and the ongoing management of the engagement.

Fractional Finance Director

A fractional Finance Director works with your business on a defined number of days per week — typically one to three — providing senior finance leadership at a cost proportionate to the business stage. The fractional model is the most popular FD Capital engagement type and is particularly effective for businesses between £2m and £15m revenue preparing for investment or experiencing significant growth.

Part-Time Finance Director

A part-time Finance Director works on a regular, recurring schedule — embedded in your business, attending your board meetings, managing your finance team. The part-time model suits businesses that need consistent senior finance presence but not a full-time executive. FD Capital has placed part-time Finance Directors across every sector since 2018.

Interim Finance Director

An interim Finance Director provides immediate, short-term cover — stepping into a vacancy, managing a finance function through a period of change, or providing additional capacity during a transaction. FD Capital’s interim FD network includes candidates available for immediate starts, with the experience to deliver value from day one.

Portfolio Finance Director

A portfolio Finance Director works across a structured portfolio of client businesses — providing each with senior finance oversight on a defined allocation of time. The portfolio model is particularly effective for private equity-backed platforms managing multiple portfolio companies, or for advisory firms providing financial support to a client base.

“Adrian served as our Finance Director for nearly six years and made a substantial contribution to the financial management and strategic development of the business. His professionalism, financial expertise and ability to provide clear, practical guidance were invaluable. Adrian is highly reliable and a pleasure to work with, and I would have no hesitation recommending him to any organisation seeking experienced financial leadership.”
— David Switzer, Legion Security plc

FD Capital provides Finance Director services across a wide range of sectors. Our most active placements are in:

• Technology and SaaS businesses
• Construction and built environment
• Professional services firms
• Engineering businesses
• Transport and logistics companies
• Oil and gas sector
• Healthcare and NHS organisations
• Public sector and local government
• International businesses requiring bilingual FDs

We also provide Finance Directors for specialist situations including commercial finance roles, turnaround and restructuring, private equity-backed businesses, and e-commerce businesses with specific platform and international VAT complexity.

Finance Director Services by Location

FD Capital provides Finance Director services nationally, with particular depth in London, the South East and the Midlands.

• London Finance Director services
• Oxford Finance Director services
• Cambridge Finance Director services
• Birmingham Finance Director services
• Bristol Finance Director services
• International Finance Director services

The FD Capital Finance Director Recruitment Process

FD Capital follows a structured recruitment process designed to deliver a shortlist of thoroughly assessed candidates, not a pile of CVs.

• Needs assessment — we understand your business, its stage, the scope of the FD role and the specific challenges you need the FD to address
• Candidate identification — we draw on FD Capital’s network of Finance Directors built since 2018 across all sectors and engagement types
• Screening and evaluation — every candidate has been interviewed by FD Capital and assessed against your specific brief
• Shortlist — typically three to five candidates with written profiles and a specific recommendation on fit
• Placement and onboarding support — we assist with offer structuring and the first 30 days in role

Finance Director Services vs CFO Services

The Finance Director and CFO titles are often used interchangeably in the UK market, particularly in SMEs and scale-ups. At FD Capital we treat them as equivalent for the purposes of our services — our CFO services cover the same engagement models and the same candidate profile as our FD services. The distinction matters more in larger businesses where the CFO sits on the main board and the FD manages the finance function beneath them. We advise clients on the right title and profile for their specific situation as part of the briefing process.

What does an outsourced Finance Director cost?

The cost of an outsourced or fractional Finance Director depends on the seniority of the individual, the number of days per week, and the complexity of the brief. As a broad guide, a fractional FD working two days per week in London typically costs between £35,000 and £60,000 per annum. Outside London the range is typically £25,000 to £45,000. Our Finance Director recruitment page provides more detail on current market rates.

How quickly can you provide a Finance Director?

For interim requirements, FD Capital can typically introduce candidates within 24 to 48 hours of instruction. For fractional and part-time placements, a shortlist is typically delivered within 3 to 7 working days. Permanent Finance Director searches typically complete within 4 to 8 weeks depending on the seniority and specificity of the brief.

Do you provide Finance Directors for startups?

Yes. FD Capital has placed Finance Directors and fractional CFOs into early-stage businesses from seed stage onwards. Startups require a different FD profile to an established SME — typically someone with fundraising experience, comfort operating in a high-growth environment, and the ability to build financial infrastructure from scratch. See our startup FD service for more detail.

What is the difference between a fractional and an interim Finance Director?

An interim FD provides full-time or near full-time cover, typically for a defined period — a maternity cover, a gap between permanent hires, or a specific project. A fractional FD works on a recurring part-time basis alongside other client commitments. The right choice depends on the urgency and time commitment your situation requires. Our interim Finance Director and fractional FD pages set out the distinction in more detail.

Alongside our core FD services, FD Capital provides Finance Director recruitment for permanent appointments, FD headhunting for confidential searches, and a full range of CFO recruitment services covering part-time, fractional, interim, portfolio and permanent CFO appointments. For businesses at an earlier stage of finance function development, our Head of Finance recruitment covers the tier below Finance Director

Finance Director Services from FD Capital

About Our Founder

FD 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 FD 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.Every brief Adrian takes is informed by having sat on both sides of the table.

Published Research & Thought Leadership Adrian Lawrence FCA, founder of FD 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 FD 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.

FD 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.

To discuss your Finance Director requirement, call 020 3287 9501 or complete the form on this page

Have one of our specialists call you back to discuss your hiring needs.