Finance Director

Finance Director
G.R. Wright & Sons Harlow, Essex 

An influential Board-level appointment within a successful, ambitious and well-invested family business.

Pure Executive is delighted to be partnering with G.R. Wright & Sons to appoint its next Finance Director.

Now in its sixth generation of family ownership, Wrights is one of the UK's most established independent flour milling businesses, supplying leading food manufacturers, major retailers, wholesalers and independent bakeries nationwide.

Combining a proud heritage with a progressive, commercially focused outlook, Wrights has invested significantly in its multi-site operations, including the development of one of the world's most technologically advanced flour mills in Harlow. It is is partway through modernising its systems and continually invests to support future growth and innovation.

The opportunity

Reporting to Managing Director David Wright, the Finance Director will be a trusted commercial and strategic partner to the Board and family shareholders, combining strong financial stewardship and commercial insight with a genuinely hands-on approach. The role calls for someone equally comfortable contributing to strategic decisions at Board level and taking direct responsibility for the preparation of monthly management accounts and the day-to-day financial detail.

With responsibility extending across Finance, IT, HR, payroll and stock control, the role will be central to protecting margins, strengthening operational performance and driving improvements through technology, systems and automation.

This is a broad and influential appointment, offering genuine involvement in business decisions and the opportunity to help shape the company's future.

The ideal candidate

We welcome interest from experienced Finance Directors and high-calibre senior finance leaders ready to step into their first Board-level FD appointment.
 
You will bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and strong financial management experience within manufacturing.
• A willingness to remain hands-on, with the technical capability and attention to detail to personally prepare monthly management accounts, alongside broader strategic and commercial responsibilities.
• Commercial acumen, with experience of product costing, stock valuation, margin management and the impact of raw material pricing. Broad financial and operational understanding, combining sound financial control, cash management and governance with the ability to lead functions beyond Finance.
• Broad financial and operational understanding, combining sound financial control, cash management and governance with the ability to lead functions beyond Finance.
• Strong systems and technology capability, including advanced Excel, ERP implementation or transformation, and an interest in the practical application of AI and automation.
• A collaborative, approachable leadership style, with the confidence to advise and constructively challenge the Board while remaining close to operational detail.

Above all, Wrights is looking for someone who will embrace the values and long-term perspective of family ownership, build trusted relationships and bring the commercial judgement, curiosity and initiative to help the business continue to evolve.

With a carefully planned succession and a considered handover from the current Finance Director, this is an opportunity to develop into a significant Board role within a successful and established family business.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Hannah Flindall, Business Director or Jodie Woodrow, Executive Director at Pure Executive on 01223 666455.