Dyson Farming is a family-owned business, with a vision to benefit future generations through a commitment to commercially viable and environmentally sustainable food production at scale. Striving to be industry leaders in efficient, carbon-neutral, high-technology agriculture, employing highly skilled, pioneering people, and supported by research and development in an ever-closer partnership with our sister company, Dyson. Seeing the future of agriculture as an exciting opportunity to improve the nation’s food security, health, and economic growth.

We are looking for a strong Finance Director with heavyweight commercial experience to join the team at our Nocton Estate Office in Lincolnshire. A background in farming is not necessary, but vision, drive, intuition and integrity is a must. This is an exciting opportunity to join the existing executive team to drive forward the strategy.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• As part of the Senior Leadership team, develop the long-term strategic vision for the company, acting as a financial sounding board that supports and challenges the business.  
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executives to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions.
• Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning, the introduction of new programmes/strategies, and regulatory action.
• Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
• Assess and evaluate financial performance of the organisation with regard to long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts. Provide insight and recommendations to both short-term and long-term growth plans of the organisation. Provides leadership in the development for the continuous evaluation of short and long-term strategic financial objectives.
• Ensure credibility of the Finance group by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, and forecasts.
• Lead the existing Finance team, ensuring the quality of financial control and reporting is maintained. Identify and develop talent within the team.
• Develop the quality of management information and planning in line with a growing business.
• Optimise and maintain the financial systems.
• Manage relationships with external advisors such as auditors and banks.
• Collaborate with the business units / Lines of Business (LOBs) to drive operational excellence that can positively impact margin improvement.
• Engage in ongoing cost reduction analyses in all areas of the company.

Person Specification

• We are looking for an individual with a sharp, critical mind to guide the Board and Senior Leadership team in assessing potential opportunities. Acquisitions experience is essential.
• Possess the financial skills to assess the financial return of potential investments, but balance this with the overall vision for the company.
• Demonstrate an agile, flexible approach as this is a brave, ambitious and entrepreneurial business. We are looking for an individual who supports new ideas yet can balance these with the risks. 
• A solutions focused individual who will take ownership of challenge and opportunities.
• The experience above will be underpinned by strong financial management and control skills with experience managing the P&L and Balance Sheet of a growing, diversified business.
• A recognised accountancy qualification - ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in finance, accounting, or related discipline required. A Master’s Degree in Business Administration is preferred.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:

Mitch Partington

Principal Consultant – Financial Leadership Practice

Berwick Partners

+44 161 498 3422 / +44 796 490 4318

Mitchell.partington@berwickpartners.co.uk