Education for Industry Group - CFO

Welcome

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.

Lee Lucas
Group Chief Executive, Education for Industry Group

About Education for Industry Group (EFI)

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.

Job details

CFO (AQ3215)

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: London (hybrid working)
Salary: £85,000 – £110,000

About the organisation

EFI Group is a pioneering education charity delivering outstanding vocational and higher education in fashion, retail, beauty, and apprenticeships. We are not a traditional college. We operate at the intersection of industry and education, shaping the workforce of tomorrow through innovative, industry-led programmes that drive real career outcomes.

Role purpose

As Chief Financial Officer (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 beyond your functional areas. Your role will involve ensuring financial resilience, strengthening income diversification, optimising resource allocation, and embedding strong financial stewardship while maintaining a people-first culture that aligns with our mission and values.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership

Provide financial and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation’s sustainability, efficiency, and alignment with our strategic plan.
Lead the development of financial strategies, forecasting, and resource planning that support long-term growth and impact.
Drive income diversification, leveraging our charitable status for fundraising, donations, and other income-generating opportunities.
Act as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and SLT, contributing meaningfully across all major strategies (not just finance).

Financial management & compliance

Oversee all aspects of financial management, planning, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring clarity, transparency, and alignment with strategic goals.
Manage financial risk, reserves, and investment strategies, balancing prudence with ambition.
Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and audit requirements, including engagement with external auditors, internal auditors, and the Board of Governors.
Develop and maintain strong financial policies, controls, and governance structures.

Operational & people leadership

Oversee HR, estates, and risk management, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and a positive impact on people, spaces, and operations.
Lead and develop high-performing teams within your remit, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure that HR policies and practices support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workforce.
Work closely with Estates to ensure that our physical infrastructure meets the needs of students and staff efficiently and sustainably.

Stakeholder engagement & business partnering

Serve as the primary liaison for financial governance, risk, and compliance with the Board of Governors, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
Build strong relationships across the organisation, ensuring that financial strategies enable, rather than constrain, innovation and impact.
Represent the organisation externally as needed, engaging with funding bodies, donors, and other stakeholders to strengthen financial resilience.

Estates & infrastructure

Lead on the strategic development of estates and facilities, ensuring they support the evolving needs of students and staff.
Oversee capital projects, space planning, and campus optimisation to enhance the student and staff experience.

Risk & governance

Oversee risk management, compliance, and internal controls, ensuring the charity operates ethically, responsibly, and efficiently.
Work closely with the Board of Governors and Audit Committee, ensuring transparency and accountability.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience & skills (Essential)

Professional finance qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIPFA CIMA).
Significant senior and strategic finance leadership experience at scale and complexity.
Proven track record in financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
Strong experience in income diversification, including fundraising, partnerships, and alternative revenue streams.
Ability to balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, adapting as needed.
Strong track record of leading and developing teams, fostering a people-first, high- performance culture.
Highly articulate and influential communicator, able to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Experience managing audit and compliance requirements, ensuring financial and regulatory integrity.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a pragmatic approach to decision-making.

Experience & Attributes (Desirable)

Experience working in a multi-site or growing organisation undergoing change and expansion.
Experience leading HR, estates, or risk management functions as part of a broader operational remit.
Understanding of the regulatory landscape in education and/or charities.
Familiarity with impact-driven finance models, such as social investment or mission-based funding.

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Terms of appointment

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.

How to apply

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.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date	9 June
Longlist Meeting	13 June
Preliminary Interviews	16 - 20 June
Shortlist Meeting	25 June
Final Panel Interviews	9 July

Appointment of the CFO