Appointment of the CFO and the Head of Finance

Education for Industry Group

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Welcome

Thank you for considering the opportunity to join Education for Industry Group as our new Chief Financial Officer or Head of Finance.

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 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.

As our new Head of Finance, you will be leading our finance team and be a key business partner across all functions and subsidiaries.

We are an ambitious and fast-paced organisation, different from many more traditional educational institutions.  If either of these opportunities excite you, we would love to hear from you.  This dedicated microsite has more information about us, allows you to apply online and if you’d like to have an informal and confidential conversation about joining us, please do contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley, Sophie Rees or Paul Aristides.

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.

 

Our structure 

Job details

CFO (AQ3430)

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: London (hybrid working)
Salary: up to £130,000

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

Essential Experience & Skills

  • 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.

Desirable Experience & Attributes

  • 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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Head of Finance (AQ3431)

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Head of Finance
Location: London
Salary: c£65,000

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. 

About the role

As Head of Finance for EFI Group, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the Group’s financial health, enhancing operational insight, and supporting strategic decision-making. Reporting directly to the CFO, you’ll lead a high-performing finance team, deliver insightful financial reporting, and act as a key business partner across all functions and subsidiaries. You will take a lead on month-end processes and reporting and preparation for the annual audit. You’ll also line manage, coach, and support junior finance team members, while providing accurate and timely financial information to budget holders across the organisation. Experience with developing integrated finance systems (Sage Intacct is in use) and the ability to work independently are essential. 

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a collaborative finance team where your expertise will directly support key financial decisions and continuous improvement. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership 

  • Partner with the CFO to shape and implement the Group’s financial strategy. 
  • Ensure financial plans support business objectives and long-term sustainability

Monthly Reporting & Financial Insight

  • Lead the preparation and distribution of accurate, timely monthly management accounts with clear commentary. 
  • Design tailored reporting packs for stakeholders, enabling informed and confident decision-making.

Business Partnering

  • Serve as a strategic finance partner to delivery teams and operational leads. 
  • Support budget holders in understanding their financials, forecasting effectively, and managing resources efficiently. 
  • Provide commercial analysis to enhance project planning and performance reviews.

Budgeting & Forecasting

  • Oversee the group-wide budgeting process and reforecasting cycles (typically January and May for the latter). 
  • Ensure all budgets are robust, data-driven, and clearly communicated.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management

  • Monitor and manage group-wide cash flow and working capital across multiple entities. 
  • Provide regular updates on cash positions and assist the CFO in treasury planning and funding strategies.

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

  • Lead the external audit process and ensure timely filing of statutory accounts. 
  • Uphold a strong internal control environment and ensure full compliance with relevant financial regulations and regulatory bodies. 
  • Proactively identify and report emerging financial risks and opportunities.

Process Improvement & Automation

  • Drive ongoing improvement in finance operations through process automation and adoption of modern tools (including AI/GPT/Power BI). 
  • Champion finance system upgrades and efficiencies (e.g., Sage enhancements and reporting solutions).

Team Leadership & Development

  • Manage and develop a high-performing finance team. 
  • Promote a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and cross-functional collaboration.

Board Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Prepare high-quality board packs, dashboards, and financial summaries for the CFO, CEO/Principal and Governors. 
  • Foster strong working relationships with auditors, funders, banks, and external stakeholders. 

Person Specification 

Criteria  Essential 
Qualifications 
  • CCAB qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA) or equivalent experience 
  • Educated to A level standard or equivalent, preferably in Maths / Accounting / relevant discipline. 
 

Knowledge 

 
  • Excellent knowledge of basic accounting including double entry bookkeeping and maintaining all ledgers. 
  • Bank reconciliation, cashbook maintenance, accounts payable, sales 
  • ledger, nominal ledger, fixed asset register and BACS. 
  • Excellent knowledge of computerised accounting systems. 
  • Journals processing and posting. 
  • Statutory accounts preparation. 
  • Management accounts preparation. 
  • Understanding of quarterly / VAT returns. Knowledge of VAT desirable. 
  • Understanding of funding in Further Education sector would be desirable.  
Experience 
  • Previous experience in a similar role.  
  • Experience of managing a small team.  
  • Accounts experience, and experience of working on and with a computerised accounting system. 
  • Experience in self-initiating project work would be desirable.  
  • Experience of using Payroll software, and processing monthly and annual payroll would be desirable although does not form part of the role – assistance in this area may be required. 
  • Experience of working with and for governance committee structures would be desirable. 
 

Skills 

 
  • Ability to process data in an efficient and timely manner whilst maintaining a high degree of accuracy.  
  • Proven competence in the use of accounting systems, word processing and spreadsheets. 
  • Good financial skills and ability to process information quickly and effectively. 
  • Previous use of SAGE Intacct would be beneficial. 
  • To be fully literate in IT office based software packages. An ability to use spreadsheets is essential (Macro knowledge not required). 
  • Ability to work effectively with colleagues and external organisations (i.e. debtors, creditors and banks). 
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
  • Ability to work methodically and systematically and to present information clearly and succinctly. 
  • General administrative duties and good organisational skills. 
  • Effective team management skills. 
  • An ability to contribute to systems and develop procedures and systems for administrative functions would be desirable.  
Personal Characteristics 
  • Positive outlook and approach to change and comfortable working with ambiguity  
  • Natural collaborator and team player  
  • Passionate about education  
  • Adaptable and a confident approach to meet the challenges of a fast-paced environment 
  • Proactive, self-motivated, flexible – doing what needs to be done and prioritising EFI needs  
  • Commitment to own professional development 
  • Actively networking with industry professionals   
  • Commitment to practicing and modelling the EFI’s values 
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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 and Head of Finance on behalf of EFI.

The closing date for applications is noon on 16 February 2026. 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 Sophie Rees sophie.rees@andersonquigley.com 

Apply for CFO

Education for Industry Group, London
Apply for Head of Finance

Education for Industry Group, London

CFO Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date 16 February
Longlist Meeting Monday 23 February
AQ Preliminary Interviews 24 - 26 February
Shortlist Meeting Monday 2 March
Final Panel Interviews Friday 13 March

Head of Finance Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date 16 February
Longlist Meeting Monday 23 February
AQ Preliminary Interviews Thursday 26 February - Tuesday 3 March
Shortlist Meeting Monday 9 March
Final Panel Interviews Wednesday 18 March
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