Replacing a key Finance role: Group Reporting Manager for E-Commerce

Client Overview – D2C Consumer Products Scaleup

Our client, a high-growth D2C consumer products scaleup, is known for supplying premium goods to UK consumers. With strong brand recognition and rapid expansion, they needed a finance leader who could support their growth and maintain operational excellence.

The Challenge – Replacing a Key Finance Role

After two months of unsuccessful recruitment efforts the business still couldn’t secure the right Group Reporting Manager.

Urgency grew when the high-performing incumbent, with six years’ tenure, announced an international relocation.

The role required:

• ACA-qualified Group Reporting Manager
• Minimum five years PQE (post-qualification experience)
• Large corporate training, plus SME experience
• Proven track record in D2C or e-commerce finance
• Ability to work within fixed salary bandings

Despite multiple interviews, candidates lacked either the technical skills, sector background, or cultural fit needed. That’s when they turned to Talentedge Recruitment.

Our Recruitment Approach

We began with an in-depth meeting with the Talent team and hiring manager to understand the role requirements and company culture, and to ensure our approach aligned with their recruitment protocols.
Our key adjustments:

• Focused on proven delivery and sector-specific experience rather than arbitrary career milestones.
• Leveraged over a decade of recruitment expertise in the VC/PE-backed consumer tech and product sector.
• Built a targeted shortlist using:
  • Known candidates from our proprietary database
  • Proactive headhunting campaigns
  • Trusted referrals from our network

The Recruitment Outcome

Within three weeks:

• 5-strong shortlist delivered
• 3-stage interview process completed
• 1 perfect hire secured

The successful candidate brought:

• Five years PQE
• Large company training
• Fast-paced consumer SME experience

The company’s brand reputation, culture and career progression opportunities attracted the candidate, who accepted a lateral salary move, enabling the client to remain within their salary bands.

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