Case study: Building a strategic Fund finance function in a post-acquisition environment

Executive summary

In this case study, Lily Rivers explains how we supported a global investment firm following a major acquisition by delivering three senior hires into its London fund finance team. Through a targeted search and extensive market mapping, we identified and placed high-calibre finance professionals capable of supporting integration and strengthening the firm’s growing London finance hub.

Following a major acquisition by a global investment firm, the organisation entered a period of significant transformation, integrating teams across multiple geographies while preparing to launch one of its largest funds to date.

With operations spanning Europe, the US and Asia, the business operates in a highly collaborative, cross-cultural environment where finance professionals play a strategic role in supporting investment performance and organisational growth.

The challenge

In the early stages of post-acquisition integration, the firm originally required three critical senior hires within its London Fund finance function. These roles were strategically important, forming part of a broader effort to establish London as a central finance hub for the organisation.

The brief required individuals who could operate at the intersection of two businesses during a complex integration period. Candidates needed to demonstrate not only deep technical expertise but also the ability to operate with commercial judgement and leadership potential.

Key requirements included:

• Strong technical accounting capability with international reporting exposure
• The ability to operate independently in a newly created function
• Gravitas and stakeholder management skills to engage with senior leadership across regions
• Comfort working in a high-performance, fast-paced private equity environment
• Experience navigating organisational change following a major acquisition

The search was further complicated by the global nature of the business, with stakeholders across multiple time zones and a highly competitive market for finance professionals with the required blend of technical capability and strategic mindset.

The solution

To address the complexity of the brief, we implemented a structured and highly targeted search strategy.

1. Market mapping and talent identification
   A comprehensive mapping exercise was undertaken across the infrastructure investment and private equity ecosystem to identify high-performing finance professionals with the relevant technical and sector experience.

Over 800 potential candidates were screened, ensuring the full talent market was assessed before narrowing the shortlist.

2. Deep candidate assessment
   Beyond technical capability, the focus was placed on identifying individuals with the leadership potential and commercial awareness required to succeed in a transformation environment.

This involved a competency-based assessment process exploring:

• Career decision logic and progression patterns
• Evidence of performance in high-change environments
• Leadership potential and stakeholder management capability
• Appetite for growth and long-term opportunity within a scaling platform

3. Highly selective shortlisting
   From the initial market mapping:

• ~30 candidates were approached
• ~10 were assessed in depth
• 5 candidates were shortlisted per role

Each candidate presented had been rigorously assessed to ensure alignment with both the technical brief and the cultural expectations of the evolving organisation.

4. Managing a complex global process
   The interview process involved multiple senior stakeholders across several regions, requiring careful coordination across time zones and evolving interview stages.

Throughout the process, we acted as the central conduit between client and candidates – managing communication, maintaining candidate engagement during an extended multi-stage process, and ensuring alignment across both sides of the newly integrated organisation.

The impact

Three high-calibre finance professionals were successfully placed into the London team following a rigorous multi-stage process.

These hires now play a critical role in supporting the organisation during its integration phase, bringing both technical finance expertise and the strategic capability required to help shape the function as it evolves.

The appointments strengthened the firm’s London finance capability while setting a high benchmark for future hires within the function.

Key results

• 800+ professionals screened during the market mapping phase
• 30 candidates approached
• 10 candidates assessed in depth
• 5 candidates shortlisted per role
• 3 strategic finance hires successfully placed
• Exclusive search mandate
• 50/50 gender diversity across both the shortlist and final interview stage