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David French

FD/CFO

A commercially astute and highly experienced CFO with a strong track record supporting owner-managed, private equity-backed and multi-site businesses through periods of transformation, growth and change. I have worked across a broad range of sectors, partnering with CEOs and investors to strengthen reporting, improve cash performance and build finance functions that support scalable growth and long-term value creation.

David French – Fractional CFO – Brighton & Redhill

Track record highlights

  • Partnered with Board and investors to grow a multichannel retail business from c.£25m to c.£70m within five years, through acquisition, improved financial control, reporting discipline and strategic decision support.
  • Regularly appointed immediately post private equity acquisition, supporting the transition from owner-managed businesses into professionally governed, investor-ready organisations.
  • Led multiple finance transformations, including ERP selection and implementation (SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics GP), replacing spreadsheet-driven processes with scalable, resilient systems.
  • Played a key role in value creation and exit readiness, including vendor due diligence preparation, integrated three-way financial modelling and investor-grade Board reporting.
  • Delivered step-change improvements in cash management and working capital, while managing complex banking and funding relationships including ABL facilities, acquisition funding and covenant reporting.
  • Supported CEOs and business owners through strategic repositioning and growth initiatives, including international expansion, new business models and operational restructuring.
  • Led and stabilised finance teams in politically sensitive or pressured environments, providing calm, credible leadership during periods of change, restructuring or uncertainty.

Sector Experience

  • Retail & Consumer Products: Multi-channel retail, clothing, footwear, sporting goods, pet products, luxury perfumes, bespoke interiors, themed restaurant chains, e-commerce and wholesale
  • Healthcare: Dentistry, veterinary services
  • Services: Residential property management, retirement living, care and lifestyle services
  • Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics: UK-led product design with managed production in China, global sourcing, supplier oversight, warehousing, fulfilment and inventory-heavy international supply chains
  • Services: Outsourced and contract-based service organisations, international group operations

David's specialist skills

Management Information

Establishing clear, reliable reporting and performance metrics that give founders and leadership teams the insight and confidence to make informed commercial and strategic decisions.

Cash flow Improvement

Introducing disciplined forecasting and working capital management to improve cash visibility, strengthen financial resilience and support sustainable growth.

Strategic Thinker

Partnering with CEOs and investors to bring clarity to complex decisions, providing independent perspective, financial insight and practical support to help businesses navigate growth, change and opportunity.

Systems and Controls

Transforming finance functions through improved systems, processes and controls, replacing spreadsheet dependency with scalable infrastructure that supports growth and investor readiness.

Exit Planning

Preparing businesses for investment or exit by strengthening financial reporting, developing robust financial models and ensuring readiness for investor scrutiny and due diligence.

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