Head of Finance – Lead Finance Function for Growing Health & Nutrition Business

About the role

Harper May Ltd is seeking a Head of Finance to build and lead its finance function as the first senior in‑house hire. Reporting directly to the CEO and Founder, you will partner on commercial strategy, support acquisition activity and shape the finance team as the business scales.

Key responsibilities

• Own the month‑end close, management accounts and financial reporting to the founder and board.
• Transition outsourced management accounts in‑house and develop a robust reporting framework.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash‑flow management and financial modelling for growth and acquisition scenarios.
• Partner with operations, commercial and marketing on P&L, contribution margin and unit economics.
• Support the founder on strategic planning, funding options and selective acquisition activity.
• Establish financial controls, systems and processes suitable for the next phase of scale.
• Manage external audit, tax and statutory reporting relationships.
• Build and mentor a small in‑house finance team over time.

Required profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong technical foundation.
• Prior experience running a finance function in an SME, scale‑up or founder‑led business.
• Commercially minded with the ability to think strategically while staying close to the numbers.
• Track record of building processes, controls and reporting from scratch.
• Experience in consumer products, e‑commerce, food or FMCG is a plus.
• Confident partnering with a founder and non‑finance leaders.
• Based within a reasonable commute of Reading, with hybrid flexibility.

Required skills

• Financial modelling
• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• Cash‑flow management
• Month‑end close
• Management accounts
• Financial reporting