How to Position Yourself for Senior Roles, NED and Progression
9 April 2026
COO Succession Recruitment for a Scaling Business Services Outsourcer
22 April 2026
Utilities CFO Executive Interim Search Case Study
Douglas Jackson was engaged by the CEO of a B2B Utility business to conduct a confidential search for an Interim Chief Financial Officer.
The requirement arose when the incumbent CFO was due to take a six-month sabbatical during a period of continued business growth.
Given the lean nature of the Executive team and the regulatory pressures within the Utilities sector, the business needed an experienced Board-level finance leader who could provide continuity, credibility and immediate support across the organisation.
Search at a glance
Sector: Utilities
Role: Interim Chief Financial Officer
Level: C-Suite / Board
Search Type: Interim Executive Search
Term: 8-month FTC
Working Pattern: Hybrid
Key Challenge: Secure an experienced Utilities CFO at short notice with enough time for a proper handover
Outcome: Successful appointment with a one month handover before the permanent CFO began sabbatical
The Challenge
This was not a turnaround assignment or a distressed finance function.
The challenge was continuity.
The permanent CFO was due to step away from the business temporarily, but the organisation still needed experienced financial leadership throughout a period of growth, year end activity and ongoing regulatory pressure.
The incoming Interim CFO therefore needed to understand both the technical finance requirements and the nuances of operating within a regulated Utilities environment.
They also needed to communicate confidently with the CEO, Chair, Executive team and investors.
The timing added another layer of complexity.
The decision to appoint came with a relatively short lead time, and the business wanted sufficient overlap between the permanent and interim CFOs to allow for a proper handover.
Defining the Brief
Douglas Jackson worked closely with the CEO and Head of HR to define the parameters of the assignment and build a realistic search timeline around the intended start date.
The brief required a leader capable of:
- leading a high performing finance function
- supporting business growth and strategic decision-making
- working closely with the CEO and Executive team
- overseeing management accounts, forecasts, cash flow and budgets
- ensuring statutory, tax and regulatory compliance
- improving financial processes and systems
- engaging effectively with investors, lenders and regulators
Our Search Approach
Douglas Jackson mapped experienced CFOs across the Utilities sector, focusing on individuals with the right combination of:
- Board-level finance leadership
- regulatory understanding
- Utilities sector knowledge
- availability for an interim assignment
- cultural alignment with a close-knit Executive team
The search covered both established interim leaders and individuals likely to be available within the required timeframe.
Douglas Jackson also used sector relationships and referrals to widen the pool of relevant talent.
Assessing Capability and Culture
The role required more than technical finance experience.
Because the Executive team worked closely together and the CEO placed considerable value on maintaining the existing culture, behavioural fit was particularly important.
Douglas Jackson therefore explored each candidate’s level of accountability, Board exposure, communication style and ability to operate effectively within the existing leadership environment.
Behavioural profiling was also used to support the assessment of cultural alignment.
Shortlist and Final Selection
Three candidates were introduced to the CEO for initial Teams conversations.
Each had been matched against the assignment’s timeframe, experience and cultural requirements.
One final candidate was then selected to meet the CEO and Chair in person for a formal offsite interview.
The final interview was successful and the candidate accepted the interim assignment.
Outcome
The appointed Interim CFO joined the business with enough time to complete a one month handover with the permanent CFO.
This allowed the permanent post holder to begin to begin their sabbatical with confidence that the finance function and wider Executive responsibilities were in experienced hands.
The CEO later commented:
“It’s been a great peace of mind to have an individual so calm, measured and engaging with the questions they are asking of the wider team.”
The appointed Interim CFO added:
“Thanks for your help… what a good team of people!”
What This Demonstrates
Not every senior leadership requirement needs to result in a permanent appointment.
Interim Executive Search can provide continuity, specialist expertise and immediate leadership capacity when organisations are navigating:
- Planned absence
- Transformation
- Restructuring
- Leadership transition
- Regulatory pressure
- Growth
- Periods of organisational change
In this case, the priority was not to redesign the finance function.
It was to secure an experienced CFO who could step in quickly, maintain confidence across the Board and Executive team, and provide stable leadership until the permanent CFO returned.
Need Interim C-Suite Leadership?
Douglas Jackson supports organisations appointing Interim and Fractional leaders across Finance, Operations, Transformation, Customer, Strategy and wider Executive leadership.
We help clients identify experienced leaders who can step into complex environments quickly and provide continuity, stability and impact.
Talk to us about an Interim or Fractional leadership requirement →
