Rob Jones FCCA

Before founding my current business, I ran a specialist finance recruitment company. The idea was simple: what if the person placing finance professionals actually understood finance? As a qualified accountant, I’d spent years in CFO and FD roles, which meant I didn’t just read CVs — I could spot the gaps, sniff out the fluff, and properly match candidates to roles based on what the business actually needed. Not just what was written in a job spec. We placed accountants, analysts, and finance leaders into startups, scaleups, and more traditional businesses. But more than that, we helped founders and FDs build finance teams that could genuinely move the needle. Because when you've sat in the chair yourself — wrestling with cash flow or trying to hire someone who isn’t just a spreadsheet jockey — you recruit a bit differently. Smarter. More honestly. And with fewer wasted interviews.

To make your business stronger we'll dig deeper to fully understand and explain what the numbers really mean - You'll get used to regular meetings where we plan your finances - You'll have more time to concentrate on what matters most you - Your business will be stronger, sustainable and have longevity

An independent record label based in Bolton. Helping young local talent to take the first step into the Music Business. I helped manage the bands from a finance and contractual perspective. I also did some session drumming on tracks!

Member of Senior Management team, reporting to MD. Spearheaded a project to introduce cost control & progress reporting for accurate identification of profit & loss, risk, and opportunities which resulted in the successful roll-out of the system across Europe and Africa.

Finance Director, Alstom Nederland Secured finances for a joint venture with Schneider Electric to acquire the Ariva transmission business, managing due diligence and post-acquisition integration within time and budget. Reduced costs and increased profitability by implementing best practices and streamlining financial processes. Built a structured, compliant finance function, recognised as “Best in Class” and adopted across other divisions. Finance Director, Alstom Ireland Led financial control, HR, and IT for the €270m Irish subsidiary, managing a team of seven professionals. Oversaw project costing, budgeting, cash management, and financial forecasting to support business objectives. Implemented the Oracle accounting system, improving cost controls, purchasing processes, and management reporting. Finance Director, Alstom Power Entities (Madrid, UAE, France, Germany, Norway) Built and led finance teams and infrastructures to support multi-billion-euro turnkey power station projects in diverse regions. Delivered strategic financial oversight, including planning, budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Designed and implemented tailored financial processes, ensuring local compliance and alignment with global standards. Enhanced financial governance and introduced continuous improvements to optimize project outcomes. Key Achievements: Consistently led high-performing teams and developed scalable financial systems to support growth. Delivered cost-saving initiatives and improved profitability through strategic financial management. Contributed to seamless business integrations, enhancing Alstom’s global footprint and operational synergies. As Finance Director for multiple Alstom entities, I demonstrated expertise in building robust financial systems, leading international projects, and ensuring operational efficiency and profitability, consistently driving value across diverse markets.

Set strategic direction for all aspects of the business, accurately forecasted project cost and enforced effective control over on-going project cost. Singlehandedly finalised external finance arrangements with banking institutions, tactfully re-negotiated vehicle leasing and general project finance with major organisations including Investec and Allied Irish, and saved 15% on transport cost and increasing the overall revenue by 20%. Founded and managed a new HR department, critically reviewed existing procedures and implemented new policies, significantly reducing employment tribunal and redundancy costs. Supervised initiative to review and improve all aspects of cost management across the business, introduced new costing procedures and IT systems to provide increased management visibility and reporting; substantially improved financial control and optimal financial resource utilisation.

Accurately crafted and skilfully presented monthly management accounts before the board, and actively monitored cash flow forecasting. Prepared and ensured due diligence on VAT, CIS, Corporation Tax returns as well as the year-end accounts for external audits.