Financial Director

Finance DirectorWakefield, West Yorkshire | £110,000–£140,000 + 30% bonus + benefits Know your assets from your liabilities? Good. Know how to make them work harder? Even better.If your background is in automotive leasing, asset finance, vehicle funding or equipment rental, this could be right up your street.We're looking for a Finance Director for a successful £40–50m business in Wakefield. Someone who understands the numbers, knows what makes an asset-intensive business tick and can turn financial insight into better commercial decisions.But there's a twist. This isn't a role where you'll be tucked away in Finance, polishing spreadsheets and appearing once a month to tell everyone what happened four weeks ago.You'll be right in the thick of it, working alongside the MD, influencing the leadership team and helping shape what happens next.First, a bit about the businessIt's a well-established business with ambitious plans, a loyal team and a culture that seems to get the important things right.One employee has been there for 17 years and followed the MD from a previous business. Why? Because it's well run and they look after their people.Simple, really. And quite refreshing.The foundations are good. Now the business wants a Finance Director who can build on them, challenge constructively and help take things forward.What's on your plate?A bit of everything you'd expect from an FD role, with plenty of commercial involvement thrown in.Make the numbers mean something. Own financial control, reporting and forecasting, but go beyond explaining what happened. Help the business understand why, what's next and what to do about it.Keep the cash flowing. Manage cash flow and working capital, oversee capital investment and build strong relationships with banks and funders.Know your assets. Understand the economics behind the fleet and asset base, from funding and investment through to utilisation, returns and profitability.Get close to the action. Work alongside the MD and operational teams, challenge decisions when needed and help turn good ideas into sound commercial decisions.Lead from the front. Develop the existing Finance team, give people the support they need and improve things without changing everything just to leave your mark.Sort the systems. Take ownership of ERP optimisation and implementation, whether that's getting more from the current system or helping deliver a better solution. Improve processes, reporting and data, and look at where automation and AI can take some of the grunt work away.You'll have the responsibility you'd expect, but also the opportunity to influence how the business runs. That's the difference.So, who are you?You might already be a Finance Director. Or perhaps you're a strong Financial Controller who's ready to stop waiting for the FD title and take the next step.Your experience could come from:Automotive leasing or vehicle financeAsset finance or commercial vehicle fundingEquipment leasing or fleet managementPlant hire, equipment rental or another asset-intensive businessYou don't need to know powered access inside out. You do need to understand businesses where assets, funding, cash flow and investment decisions have a real impact on the bottom line.You'll also need to bring:A recognised accountancy qualification and a strong grounding in financial control and commercial finance.The ability to lead a Finance team while remaining comfortable getting into the detail.Experience of ERP systems, including implementation, optimisation or significant improvement projects.The confidence to work directly with an MD, ask the awkward questions when necessary and offer a point of view.A practical, commercially minded approach. Someone who spots a problem and thinks about how to fix it, rather than simply adding it to the next report.And personality counts. You'll be approachable, curious and happy to roll your sleeves up. Someone who can talk funding with the bank in the morning and profitability with the operations team in the afternoon.What's in it for you?A genuine seat at the table. Work closely with the MD and help shape the future of the business.A team worth joining. An established Finance function and a culture that values the people who make the business tick.Room to make your mark. Improve ERP systems, reporting and processes, and help Finance become an even better business partner.A role with range. From funding and asset returns to systems, strategy and commercial performance, you'll have plenty to get your teeth into.The package: £110,000–£140,000, plus a 30% bonus and benefits.The catch? It's five days a week in the Wakefield office. This is a hands-on, visible role, so being close to the business is part of the deal.If you're in leasing, asset finance, vehicle finance or equipment rental and fancy a broader FD role where you can get stuck in, challenge the status quo and make a real difference, let's talk.