CASE STUDY 1
FCA-Regulated Fintech
Assignment: Head of Finance
Sector: Fintech | FCA-Regulated | Lending
Location: London (Hybrid)
The Challenge:
A high-growth fintech operating in an FCA-regulated environment needed a Head of Finance to lead its finance function, manage regulatory reporting, support an upcoming fundraising round, and partner closely with the CEO. The company required someone with a rare mix of fintech, governance, and lending experience, and who was comfortable working in a lean, fast-paced start-up.
The role had been live for three months with other agencies, but the client struggled to find candidates with both technical depth and start-up adaptability.
Our Approach:
I met with the CEO and COO to redefine the role requirements, clarify core deliverables for the next 12 months, and establish a more accurate compensation framework. I then conducted a targeted headhunt across London’s fintech sector, focusing on candidates with FCA exposure, fundraising experience, and hands-on leadership capability.
Outcome:
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Delivered a shortlist of four fully qualified candidates within 10 days
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Final hire made in three weeks
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The chosen candidate had worked previously in two FCA-regulated fintechs, had led Series A fundraising activity, and brought the right culture fit
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Within 6 months, the new Head of Finance restructured reporting, implemented stronger governance controls, and supported the business through a successful investment round
Client Feedback:
“Dean understood the brief better than any recruiter we’d worked with before. The shortlist was exceptional, and the entire process was both efficient and enjoyable.”
“Dean understood the brief better than any recruiter we’d worked with before."
CASE STUDY 2
Property Investment & Real Estate Group
Assignment: Financial Controller
Sector: Real Estate | Investment | Construction
Location: South London
The Challenge:
A real estate investment group needed a Financial Controller to modernise their finance function, improve reporting and cash flow management, and support the CFO during a period of rapid project expansion. The role required someone experienced in property finance, development cashflow structures, and multi-entity consolidation.
The market was highly competitive, and the client had previously struggled to attract senior talent due to location and niche requirements.
Our Approach:
I conducted a deep dive into the company’s structure, project cycles, and immediate financial pain points. This allowed us to position the opportunity effectively. I then mapped the South London and broader London real estate finance market, targeting candidates with development finance experience and strong technical accounting backgrounds.
Outcome:
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Identified a pipeline of candidates within 72 hours
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Produced a refined shortlist in 8 days
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Placement completed in less than 4 weeks
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The successful candidate introduced new project-reporting frameworks, improved cashflow forecasting accuracy, and helped streamline year-end processes
Client Feedback:
“Dean brought us candidates our previous recruiter couldn’t reach. He understood the real estate finance nuances and delivered someone who has significantly improved our internal controls.”
CASE STUDY 3
High-Growth E-Commerce Scale-Up
Assignment: Management Accountant
Sector: E-Commerce | Retail | Consumer Goods
Location: London
The Challenge:
A rapidly expanding e-commerce business required a Management Accountant to strengthen its reporting capabilities and support the Head of Finance. The company was in a period of scale-up growth, experiencing challenges with margin visibility, forecasting accuracy, and systems limitations.
They needed someone who was data-driven, credible, commercially minded, and able to implement improvements quickly, but also someone who could thrive in ambiguity.
Our Approach:
After reviewing the finance and operations model, I advised the CEO on refining the job specification to attract a stronger calibre of candidate. I then conducted a targeted search focused on candidates from D2C, retail, and subscription businesses.
Outcome:
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Shortlist delivered in one week
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Offer accepted within three weeks
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The new Management Accountant introduced SKU-level reporting, improved financial models, and enhanced month-end efficiency
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Commercial insight improved to the point where leadership could make quicker pricing and product decisions
Client Feedback:
“Dean didn’t just fill the role; he helped us understand the type of person we truly needed. The hire has made a huge difference to our reporting and decision-making.”
CASE STUDY 4
Boutique Investment & Wealth Management Firm
Assignment: Senior Financial Accountant
Sector: Wealth Management | FCA-Regulated | Investments
Location: London
The Challenge:
A boutique wealth management firm, regulated by the FCA, required a Senior Financial Accountant to take ownership of statutory reporting, regulatory submissions, and enhanced financial controls.
The business was undergoing a period of transformation, including system upgrades and the consolidation of multiple investment entities. They needed a candidate who could operate independently, strengthen governance, and bring technical rigour, but also someone able to communicate clearly with non-financial stakeholders such as investment managers and advisers.
Talent competition was high, and the client struggled to find candidates who were both technically strong and culturally aligned with a tight-knit, people-centric team.
Our Approach:
I met with both the Managing Director and the Head of Compliance to refine the role’s priorities and understand upcoming regulatory deadlines. From there, I conducted a targeted search across investment firms, wealth managers, and smaller FCA-regulated businesses where candidates are accustomed to broad responsibilities and hands-on work.
I prioritised candidates with:
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strong technical accounting backgrounds (ACA/ACCA)
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exposure to regulatory reporting under FCA rules
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experience in multi-entity environments
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the communication skills to influence senior stakeholders
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a collaborative, non-ego culture fit
To ensure cultural alignment, I conducted pre-interviews with shortlisted candidates focusing on communication style, approachability, and adaptability within small teams.
Outcome:
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A curated shortlist of four highly suitable candidates was submitted within 9 days
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The client selected two for the final interview, both considered “exceptional fits”
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Offer accepted within 3½ weeks from initial briefing
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The appointed Senior Financial Accountant successfully took ownership of FCA regulatory reporting, introduced a more structured month-end timetable, and played a key role in preparing the business for its audit
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The firm has since expanded its finance function and continues to partner with me for ongoing hires
Client Feedback:
“Dean provided a level of quality and precision that stood out immediately. The shortlist was excellent, and every candidate demonstrated both the technical expertise and the cultural traits we needed. The process was smooth, and the hire has already made a clear impact.”
