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Laura Barry

FD/CFO

I am a strategic, commercially focused CFO and transformational leader with over 20 years’ experience scaling businesses, improving profitability, and creating long‑term value. My experience spans retail, financial services, SaaS, and healthtech, from FTSE 100 FMCG organisations to VC‑ and PE‑backed growth companies (£3m to £60bn turnover). I bring deep expertise in strategy, financial planning, M&A, and exits, and I enjoy partnering with founders, boards, and investors to turn ambition into sustainable growth.

Laura Barry – Fractional CFO – London East EC

Track record highlights

  • M&A and Private Equity: Directed the successful sale of a £300m premium insurer, partnering with the executive team and shareholders to prepare the business for exit, manage the sale process, and deliver a smooth transaction. Achieved targeted returns exceeding 10x EBITDA.
  • Working Capital Management: Transformed the financial performance of a VC backed business, moving from cash burn to profitability and cash generation by 2026 through disciplined financial management, enhanced reporting and planning, and clear runway and downside scenario visibility.
  • Leadership and Investor Relations: Scaled, coached, and professionalised finance functions across SMEs and large corporates, transitioning organisations from pre scale budgeting to investor grade planning, reporting, and governance. Led both in house and outsourced global finance teams.
  • Strategy and Scaling: Developed and led the strategic business case for a FTSE 100 retailer to enter a major new B2B channel, supporting a £3.7bn takeover that delivered scale, supplier leverage, and long term revenue growth of approximately £9bn annually.
  • Global Transformation: Played a key decision making role in one of the largest transformation programmes delivered in Europe, implementing new global software, processes, and operating models for a FTSE 100 retailer.
  • Risk Management and Governance: executive sponsor for enterprise wide risk assurance programmes and implementation of robust risk management frameworks, strengthening financial controls and reducing operational risk exposure.

Sector Experience

  • Retail & Consumer Products
  • Insurance
  • Technology, Media & Telecoms: SaaS
  • Healthcare: Life Sciences

Laura's specialist skills

Strategic Thinker

A trusted business partner driving growth across organisations. Shapes long term strategy alongside executive teams, boards, and investors, leading strategic reviews, identifying growth and value creation opportunities, and executing plans that deliver shareholder returns across businesses ranging from £3m to £60bn in turnover.

Budgeting & Forecasting

Experienced leader in investor grade planning, reporting, and governance. Former Group FP&A lead for a FTSE 100 organisation, partnering with global CFOs and CEOs to translate group strategy into actionable budgets and forecasts across business units. Applies this expertise to VC and PE backed businesses, building best in class planning and reporting capabilities aligned to each stage of growth.

Cash Flow Improvement

Expert in working capital optimisation and cash discipline. Successfully transformed a VC backed, cash burning business into a profitable, cash generative organisation through rolling cash flow forecasting, detailed working capital analysis, and execution of targeted cash improvement initiatives to support sustainable growth and informed investment decisions.

Exit Planning

Led a successful private equity exit (£300m Premium Insurer), with responsibility for stakeholder management, valuation and financial modelling, and oversight of all financial due diligence. Acted as a key interface with buyers and advisers, delivering the targeted valuation (>10x EBITDA) and a seamless sale and integration process.

Investor Relations

Led investor relations and board reporting across listed, VC and PE backed environments. Transformed shareholder communications through clear, KPI driven performance insight, supporting funding discussions and maintaining investor confidence through periods of growth and operational change.

Managing Risk

Experienced Board Director and Audit Committee member, including within FCA and PRA regulated businesses. Provides strong governance, oversight, and strategic direction, with deep expertise in enterprise risk frameworks, risk assurance, board effectiveness reviews, regulatory compliance and thematic reviews.

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