Finance Controller / Finance Director

12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Location: Petersham Nurseries, Richmond, London

Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Full-time or Part-time (minimum 3 days per week).

Reporting to: Managing Director

About Petersham Nurseries

Petersham Nurseries is an award-winning lifestyle business combining restaurants, retail, floristry, interiors and events. Renowned for exceptional hospitality, craftsmanship and sustainability, we create memorable experiences rooted in quality, beauty and community.

We are looking for an experienced Finance Controller or Finance Director to join us on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is a key leadership role responsible for safeguarding the financial integrity of the business while partnering with the senior leadership team to support strategic decision making and commercial performance.

We recognise that exceptional finance leaders are looking for flexibility. Whether you are seeking a full-time position or a part-time leadership role, we are open to creating the right arrangement for the successful candidate.

The Role

This is a hands-on senior finance leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of the finance function across Petersham Nurseries.

You will lead financial reporting, planning, controls and compliance while acting as a trusted commercial partner to the leadership team. Depending on your experience, the role may be appointed at Financial Controller or Finance Director level, with responsibilities aligned accordingly.

You will be comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring robust financial management and efficient processes.
• Partner with the Managing Director, senior leadership team and department heads to support commercial decision making.
• Provide strategic financial insight to improve profitability and support business growth.
• Present financial performance, forecasts and business analysis to the Board and shareholders where appropriate.

Financial Reporting & Control

• Produce timely and accurate monthly management accounts.
• Deliver meaningful variance analysis and financial commentary.
• Ensure robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close process.
• Prepare annual budgets, rolling forecasts and long-term financial plans.
• Oversee preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate the annual audit.
• Maintain compliance with UK accounting standards and statutory reporting requirements.

Commercial Finance

• Analyse sales, gross margins, labour costs and operational performance.
• Support pricing decisions, investment appraisals and business cases.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Partner with operational managers to monitor KPIs and financial performance.
• Provide commercial insight to support strategic initiatives across the business.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital.
• Oversee banking relationships and payment approvals.
• Monitor liquidity and ensure effective cash management across the business.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with VAT, payroll, corporation tax and all statutory obligations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial governance.
• Liaise with auditors, tax advisers, banks and external stakeholders.
• Continuously review and improve finance processes and systems.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing culture.
• Ensure finance provides an excellent service to the wider business.
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, reporting and processes.

About You

You are an experienced finance professional who combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and a collaborative leadership style.

You enjoy working in dynamic businesses where no two days are the same and are comfortable moving between strategic planning and hands-on operational finance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Significant experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Director or equivalent senior finance role.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Proven experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Experience managing cash flow and working capital.
• Excellent commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Experience within hospitality, retail, leisure, luxury consumer goods or multi-site businesses.
• Experience working with stock and inventory-based operations.
• Knowledge of hospitality EPOS and finance systems.
• Experience leading finance process improvements or systems implementations.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to join one of London’s most distinctive hospitality and lifestyle businesses.
• A collaborative and values-driven working environment.
• The opportunity to make a significant impact during an exciting period for the business.
• Flexible working arrangements as both full-time and part-time applications welcomed.
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Staff discounts across Petersham Nurseries.
• Company pension.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Unique, beautiful working environment in the heart of Richmond.

Finance Controller / Finance Director

12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Location: Petersham Nurseries, Richmond, London

Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Hours: Full-time or Part-time (minimum 3 days per week).

Reporting to: Managing Director

About Petersham Nurseries

Petersham Nurseries is an award-winning lifestyle business combining restaurants, retail, floristry, interiors and events. Renowned for exceptional hospitality, craftsmanship and sustainability, we create memorable experiences rooted in quality, beauty and community.

We are looking for an experienced Finance Controller or Finance Director to join us on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is a key leadership role responsible for safeguarding the financial integrity of the business while partnering with the senior leadership team to support strategic decision making and commercial performance.

We recognise that exceptional finance leaders are looking for flexibility. Whether you are seeking a full-time position or a part-time leadership role, we are open to creating the right arrangement for the successful candidate.

The Role

This is a hands-on senior finance leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of the finance function across Petersham Nurseries.

You will lead financial reporting, planning, controls and compliance while acting as a trusted commercial partner to the leadership team. Depending on your experience, the role may be appointed at Financial Controller or Finance Director level, with responsibilities aligned accordingly.

You will be comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring robust financial management and efficient processes.
• Partner with the Managing Director, senior leadership team and department heads to support commercial decision making.
• Provide strategic financial insight to improve profitability and support business growth.
• Present financial performance, forecasts and business analysis to the Board and shareholders where appropriate.

Financial Reporting & Control

• Produce timely and accurate monthly management accounts.
• Deliver meaningful variance analysis and financial commentary.
• Ensure robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close process.
• Prepare annual budgets, rolling forecasts and long-term financial plans.
• Oversee preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate the annual audit.
• Maintain compliance with UK accounting standards and statutory reporting requirements.

Commercial Finance

• Analyse sales, gross margins, labour costs and operational performance.
• Support pricing decisions, investment appraisals and business cases.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Partner with operational managers to monitor KPIs and financial performance.
• Provide commercial insight to support strategic initiatives across the business.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital.
• Oversee banking relationships and payment approvals.
• Monitor liquidity and ensure effective cash management across the business.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with VAT, payroll, corporation tax and all statutory obligations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial governance.
• Liaise with auditors, tax advisers, banks and external stakeholders.
• Continuously review and improve finance processes and systems.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive and high-performing culture.
• Ensure finance provides an excellent service to the wider business.
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, reporting and processes.

About You

You are an experienced finance professional who combines technical excellence with commercial awareness and a collaborative leadership style.

You enjoy working in dynamic businesses where no two days are the same and are comfortable moving between strategic planning and hands-on operational finance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Significant experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Director or equivalent senior finance role.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Proven experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Experience managing cash flow and working capital.
• Excellent commercial acumen and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Experience within hospitality, retail, leisure, luxury consumer goods or multi-site businesses.
• Experience working with stock and inventory-based operations.
• Knowledge of hospitality EPOS and finance systems.
• Experience leading finance process improvements or systems implementations.

What We Offer

• A unique opportunity to join one of London’s most distinctive hospitality and lifestyle businesses.
• A collaborative and values-driven working environment.
• The opportunity to make a significant impact during an exciting period for the business.
• Flexible working arrangements as both full-time and part-time applications welcomed.
• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Staff discounts across Petersham Nurseries.
• Company pension.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Unique, beautiful working environment in the heart of Richmond.