Title: Head of Finance

Location: Central London (hybrid)

Salary: £120,000 – £140,000 + Generous Discretionary Bonus & Benefits

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Our client is a leading global shipping and commodities trading group with a significant international presence and a strong reputation within the market. As part of their continued growth and increasing operational complexity, they are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to join their Central London headquarters.

This is a high-impact role with broad exposure across the organisation. You will take ownership of group financial reporting, controls, and consolidation, while partnering closely with senior leadership to support strategic decision-making in a fast-paced, global trading environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the group consolidation and reporting process, ensuring timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts in line with IFRS and relevant local GAAP requirements
• Ensure robust financial controls and governance frameworks are maintained across all international entities
• Manage and develop the group finance team, including regional finance leads where applicable
• Partner with the CFO and senior leadership team to provide insight on financial performance and key business drivers
• Oversee balance sheet integrity, including reconciliations, reviews, and risk identification
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, systems, and reporting capabilities
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes
• Manage relationships with external auditors and coordinate the year-end audit process
• Oversee treasury reporting, cash flow monitoring, and working capital management
• Provide technical accounting guidance on complex transactions, including trading activities, shipping contracts, and international structures
• Ensure compliance with tax, regulatory, and reporting requirements across multiple jurisdictions
• Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, restructurings, and expansion into new markets

Candidate Requirements

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent (Big 4 / Top 10 background highly desirable)
• Proven track record in a Group Financial Controller or senior financial reporting role within an international organisation
• Experience within shipping, commodities trading, logistics, or a similarly complex global business is highly advantageous
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, group consolidations, and multi-entity reporting structures
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing high-performing finance teams
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and partner with senior leadership across regions
• High level of accuracy and ownership across all aspects of financial control and reporting