John began his career in a small two-partner accountancy firm, gaining hands-on experience across the fundamentals of audit and accountancy before moving into a top 6 UK practice. There, he was promoted to Audit Director, leading a 100-strong team and working with clients across sectors from property and manufacturing to hospitality and financial services.

Seeking a broader challenge, John moved into commerce, where he guided a large hospitality group through administration and then became Finance Director of a newly formed business, building its finance function from scratch in just one week. He later founded his own consultancy, working with prominent family-owned investment businesses and supporting SMEs through restructuring, growth, and strategic change.

Methodical and professional, John is known for his “cash first” approach, calm leadership, and commitment to transparent communication. He specialises in stabilising businesses under pressure, embedding strong processes, and building financial clarity that reassures owners and investors alike.

With experience spanning hospitality, property, media, construction, and professional services, John is well-equipped to support ambitious SMEs facing the challenges of growth, restructuring, or change.

John’s career has equipped him with the knowledge and expertise invaluable for the fractional Finance Director services his EFM clients will rely on him to provide.

He has a track record in:

Turnaround and restructuring

Guiding businesses through periods of distress, stabilising cashflow, managing creditors, and putting robust processes in place. John thrives on helping owners regain clarity and confidence when their businesses have lost direction.

Finance function leadership

Building and leading finance teams from scratch, introducing systems and reporting frameworks, and delivering statutory accounts without adjustments. His detail-driven approach ensures accuracy, transparency, and trust.

Cashflow and stakeholder management

Embedding strong cash management practices, negotiating calmly with banks, investors, and HMRC, and ensuring open communication to protect trust and stability in challenging times.

Broad sector expertise

Experience across hospitality, leisure, property investment, media, construction, and manufacturing gives John the versatility to adapt financial solutions to different industries.

Beyond finance

Supporting SMEs with HR, compliance, IT, and operational leadership when dedicated resources are absent, ensuring smaller businesses can function efficiently without unnecessary overheads.

• Audit and accountancy practice at a top 10 UK firm, leading teams of 100+ across varied industries.
• Extensive experience in hospitality, leisure, property investment, media, publishing, construction, and manufacturing.
• Skilled in turnaround and restructuring, stabilising cashflow, and implementing robust financial processes.
• Strong background in financial reporting and statutory accounts, delivering audit-ready accuracy and clarity.
• Experienced in stakeholder and creditor management, including negotiations with banks, HMRC, and investors.
• Practised in building and leading finance functions from scratch and embedding disciplines that restore control and confidence.

Initial situation
A national hotel and pub group employing over 7,000 staff was facing severe financial distress, running out of cash and heading into administration. The business needed urgent leadership to stabilise operations, reassure stakeholders, and plan a viable way forward.

Action and result
John was brought in to provide financial direction during this crisis. Within one week, he set up a fully functioning finance office with new systems, processes, and a team of 25 staff. He managed creditor negotiations, rebuilt trust with stakeholders, and established reporting that gave owners and administrators clear visibility of the company’s position. His calm, structured approach provided the leadership needed to manage a highly pressured situation and gave the restructured business a stable platform for recovery.

Outside of work, John is a passionate football fan and a Spurs season ticket holder. He enjoys playing golf and is a keen theatre-goer, with a particular love for West End musicals and local fringe productions.