VP Finance - Global Hospitality Platform, London

Client Challenge

A rapidly expanding international hospitality platform required a senior finance leader to strengthen its corporate finance function during a period of sustained growth and increasing organisational complexity. Operating across multiple international jurisdictions, the business needed an executive capable of overseeing the full spectrum of corporate and hotel finance operations while ensuring robust financial governance and supporting future expansion.

The successful individual would need to bring expertise across financial reporting, group consolidation, IFRS compliance, cash flow and working capital management, tax, audit and statutory reporting. Equally important was the ability to modernise finance processes, introduce greater automation and develop a high-performing finance team capable of supporting both corporate and operational stakeholders.

The assignment required a leader with strong commercial acumen who could operate as a trusted partner to the CFO while maintaining effective relationships with auditors, tax advisors, lenders, owners and external stakeholders.

Our Approach

Leveraging our specialist hospitality finance network, we conducted a targeted international search focused on senior finance executives from owner-operators, international hotel groups and hospitality real estate platforms.

Beyond technical capability, our assessment process concentrated on identifying leaders who had successfully:

• Led multi-entity group consolidations and statutory reporting within international businesses.
• Managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury, cash flow and working capital across complex operating structures.
• Delivered month-end and year-end close processes to the highest standards of accuracy and governance.
• Overseen external audits, tax compliance and regulatory reporting across multiple jurisdictions.
• Implemented stronger internal controls, improved financial processes and introduced automation to increase efficiency.
• Built collaborative, high-performing finance teams while acting as a strategic business partner to executive leadership.

Each shortlisted candidate was evaluated not only on technical finance expertise but also on leadership style, stakeholder management, commercial judgement and their ability to support a fast-growing international organisation.

The Result

Following a comprehensive international search, we successfully appointed an experienced hospitality finance executive with extensive global experience leading corporate finance functions within complex, multi-jurisdictional businesses.

The successful candidate brought a proven track record of delivering accurate financial reporting, strengthening governance, improving cash flow management, enhancing internal controls and leading finance transformation initiatives. Their experience working closely with executive leadership, investors and external advisors ensured a seamless transition into the organisation and immediate credibility with key stakeholders.

Impact

The appointment strengthened the organisation's corporate finance capability by introducing greater financial discipline, governance and operational efficiency across the business.

Key outcomes included:

• Enhanced financial reporting and group consolidation processes.
• Stronger governance through improved internal controls and compliance frameworks.
• Greater visibility of cash flow and working capital to support strategic decision-making.
• Increased efficiency through finance process optimisation and automation.
• A more collaborative, high-performing finance function aligned with the company's long-term growth strategy.
• A trusted strategic partner to the CFO, supporting continued international expansion while maintaining best-in-class financial controls.