Background: Growth Outpacing Finance Infrastructure
This UK-based supplier of industrial cleaning products and personal protective equipment (PPE) experienced rapid growth during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the pace of expansion meant the company’s financial structure and processes were no longer fit for purpose. Cash flow was showing signs of strain and there was no senior-level finance expertise to guide the next phase.
The Underlying Issues
The business was facing several operational and strategic challenges:
- No strategic growth plan and limited financial leadership.
- Weak financial controls, systems, and processes.
- Strained relationship with its bank.
- Stretched team and fragile financial structure.
- Unreliable management information.
- Weak cash flow position.
How Headstar Stepped In
A Headstar Fractional CFO worked closely with the Managing Director to:
- Implement measures to stabilise and improve cash flow.
- Establish processes to bring the company’s rapid growth under control.
- Review the finance structure to identify knowledge and skills gaps.
- Oversee the recruitment of a Finance Manager to provide senior-level financial leadership.
- Strengthen the balance sheet position.
- Support a shift in sales team focus towards profit and cash generation.
- Facilitate a £2m refinance package with the bank.
The Impact
- Expert financial guidance – Immediate steps taken to address cash flow challenges.
- Improved strategic focus – Sales strategy refocused on profitability and cash generation.
- Record turnover – Sales increased by 150% while maintaining stable cash flow.
- Successful recruitment – Finance Manager appointed to lead the finance function.
In the Words of the Client
“Headstar was the perfect partner to support my business through unprecedented growth, providing the expert finance consultancy and recruitment services we required to grow sustainably and profitably. They immediately understood the challenges we faced and their expertise meant we were able to put the right solutions in place, both in the short and long term.” – Managing Director
Find Out More
To learn how a Headstar Fractional CFO could help your business improve cash flow, strengthen leadership, and support sustainable growth, visit our services page or get in touch with the Headstar team.
