In this case study, Rachael Eddoms outlines how we supported a private equity-backed European digital services platform in appointing a Chief of Staff to the CFO during a critical phase of growth, restructuring and capital markets preparation. Through a highly targeted search leveraging our network across strategy consulting and corporate finance, we delivered a curated shortlist within weeks and secured a high-calibre strategic hire within three months, strengthening the CFO Executive Office ahead of a potential future exit.
The business operates across 15+ countries, employs approximately 1,500 people, and generates revenues of around €300 million.
Following significant private equity backing, the organisation entered a pivotal phase of growth. This included ongoing consolidation activity, expansion of its product ecosystem and increasing geographic reach as it continued to scale across Europe.
After receiving investment from leading institutional investors, the business entered a critical post-investment phase.
Alongside continued expansion, the organisation was preparing for greater engagement with capital markets and a potential exit within the following two years.
At the same time, the company was evolving towards a more SaaS-oriented operating model while navigating a period of organisational restructuring.
Within this environment, the CFO required a highly capable Chief of Staff to act as a strategic partner across several complex priorities.
The role required someone who could support capital-markets communications, lender management and rating-agency engagement, while also driving strategic initiatives across the finance and transformation agenda.
Given the scale and complexity of the business, the incoming Chief of Staff needed to combine strong financial and analytical capability with the ability to manage senior stakeholders, including the Board and investor group.
Importantly, the business also needed to make this appointment quickly, ensuring continuity across lender communication, capital-markets preparation and CFO-level strategic projects.
We partnered closely with the CFO and investor stakeholders to define a highly specific candidate profile.
The brief focused on identifying a strategic operator with strong financial acumen, capital-markets exposure and a proven ability to execute cross-functional programmes within complex, investor-backed businesses.
Rather than running a broad market search, we leveraged our existing network and knowledge of talent operating at the intersection of strategy consulting, corporate finance and private equity-backed transformation.
We worked with the CFO to refine the ideal skill mix – including communication capability, analytical strength, structuring ability and the maturity required to operate within a Board-facing environment.
The search was then quickly calibrated towards individuals already performing within leading strategy consulting environments, particularly those with a background in corporate finance and experience working with investor-backed organisations.
This appointment was critical to strengthening the CFO Executive Office during a strategically important period for the business.
With the organisation preparing for increased capital-markets engagement while simultaneously navigating restructuring and continued expansion, the CFO required a trusted partner capable of managing complex initiatives and coordinating senior stakeholders across the business.
Securing the right Chief of Staff helped ensure momentum across capital-markets planning, investor communications and transformation initiatives at a time when execution and alignment were particularly important.
The process progressed with pace and precision.
Within the first week, we delivered an initial set of three candidates, followed shortly after by a curated shortlist of eight candidates drawn from strategy consulting, high-growth operators and corporate finance professionals across Europe.
From this group:
Each stage of the process was aligned to a clearly defined interview structure designed to assess capital-markets experience, communication capability and strategic execution against the expectations of the CFO Executive Office.
Although the interview process progressed efficiently, the overall timeline extended due to the availability of senior stakeholders, including the CFO, CEO and investor representatives, during a particularly busy period for the business.
Despite this, momentum was maintained through close coordination of schedules, regular candidate communication and careful management of stakeholder expectations.
The process concluded with a successful offer within three months, securing a high-confidence appointment without the need to restart or broaden the search.
To find out more about similar strategic leadership appointments, or to discuss how we can support your next critical hire, please get in touch.
