Thank you for exploring this opportunity to become our next CFO at the Education for Industry Group.

We are a pioneering education charity delivering outstanding vocational and higher education in fashion, retail, beauty, and apprenticeships. We provide a wide range of educational programmes at vocational level and at degree level to a hugely diverse student base.

Having grown at a fantastic rate, with 3,600 students, up from 700 and revenue increasing from £5m to £25m in just a few years, we are restructuring our leadership team. You will be joining a focused executive team as we plot our next five years of development.

Based in Central London, we are staunch advocates of inclusive education, firmly believing that everyone deserves access to opportunities, irrespective of background or circumstances. Our core mission revolves around enhancing student engagement, retention, and progression, driving us forward with unwavering dedication.

As our new CFO you will provide strategic and operational leadership across finance, estates, HR, and risk management, ensuring that the organisation operates efficiently and sustainably. You will be a key business partner to the CEO and SLT, contributing to organisation-wide strategy and decision-making.

We are an ambitious and fast-paced organisation, different from many more traditional educational institutions.  If this opportunity excites you, we would love to hear from you.  This dedicated microsite has more information about us and if you’d like to have an informal and confidential conversation about joining us, please do contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley, Paul Aristides or Aino Betts.

Home of fashion’s next generation

Education for Industry Group (EFI) is a charity that specialises in the creation and operation of industry-led specialist education & training, and its full ecosystem to deliver highly-skilled, job-ready graduates to the sectors it serves. With a mission to transform lives, careers and industry through the creation and delivery of specialist education and training.

Our brands are united by a common goal to create and deliver outstanding vocational and academic education in partnership with industry, each division operates independently while accessing centralised functions across Marketing, Finance, Operations and Student Services.

Our current brands include:

Education For Industry was established in 2024 with a clear-cut objective: to reshape lives, careers, and industries through specialised educational training. Our belief is rooted in the notion that industry-specific education fosters seamless connections between individuals and businesses, driving efficiency like no other.
With a proud alumni network exceeding 20,000 graduates across various sectors including fashion, retail, beauty, and hairdressing, we’ve been instrumental in nurturing top-tier talent. Our partnerships with esteemed brands ensure that our curriculum is enriched with real-world industry insights, enhancing the learning experience.

At Education for Industry, we are staunch advocates of inclusive education, firmly believing that everyone deserves access to opportunities, irrespective of background or circumstances. We are committed to breaking down barriers, promoting equality, and ensuring fair access for all students. Our core mission revolves around enhancing student engagement, retention, and progression, driving us forward with unwavering dedication.

Our vision

At Education for Industry, our goal is to become the world’s most coveted home of fashion and retail education and training.

Our mission

It’s our mission to pioneer innovative education and training experiences with industry that create and enhance careers, nurturing the next generation of retail talent.

Our values

Collective courage for a successful future:

Customer centric: “If it matters to our students, it matters to us”
Authentic action: “We’re authentic in our actions, words and interactions”
Resilient: “Integrity in our actions to relentlessly strive for what we are about”
Enthusiastic: “If it matters to you, make it matter to others”

View our Equal Opportunities Policy here and our Social Value Report here.

We have a care-driven, market-leading benefits programme for people that change lives. You can view our EFI Rewards and Recognition Programme here.

Key Responsibilities – in line with all staff

• To act in the interests of the EFI at all times.
• To support the delivery of the EFI’s strategy as it relates to this post.
• To perform any other duties consistent with this position as may from time to time be assigned to you by the CEO and Principal or its designate, or as may reasonably be required anywhere within the EFI.
• To be committed to your own development through the effective use of the EFI’s performance review and staff development processes.
• To work collaboratively with the wider business and support the work of the curriculum delivery, professional services and support functions teams as may reasonably be required in the delivery of the EFI’s strategic plans.
• Safeguarding. Comply at all times with the EFI’s safeguarding policy and play an active role in maintaining and promoting students’ safety, security and well-being in their learning environment.
• Equality and diversity. To be committed, adhere to and promote the EFI’s Equality and Diversity policy at all times.
• Health and Safety. Comply with and raise awareness of health and safety in line with FRA policy and procedures.
• Data Protection. To understand your own responsibilities, be committed to and comply with all EFI’s policies, procedures and guidelines with respect to the collection, processing, storing and sharing of all personal information as it relates to this position to comply with the GDPR.

Anderson Quigley is leading the executive search process for the CFO on behalf of EFI.

The closing date for applications is noon on 9 June 2025. To apply, please click on the Apply Now button at the top of the page.

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the criteria outlined in the person criteria.
• Details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact: Paul Aristides at paul.aristides@andersonquigley.com or Aino Betts at aino.betts@andersonquigley.com.