“I think what I really enjoy is the turnaround side of it, seeing a business that’s struggling, maybe lost direction, and helping it find its way again.” – John Drury

Meet John Drury – New EFM Associate

A Career Built on Breadth and Depth

John Drury joins EFM with over three decades of finance leadership spanning practice, commerce, and consultancy. He began his career in a small two-partner accountancy firm, gaining a strong foundation before joining a top 6 UK accountancy practice. Rising to Audit Director, he led a 100-person team and worked with clients across industries, including manufacturing, construction, property investment, financial services and hospitality.

“I’m very organised and quite fastidious in detail. Some find it boring, but it helps me pick up materials issues others miss.”

From Audit Director to Finance Director in Commerce

Seeking to make a direct impact, John transitioned into senior finance roles within the hospitality and property sectors. He helped guide a large hotel and pub group through administration, then became Finance Director of a newly established hospitality company, where he built an office and finance team from scratch in just one week, negotiated with creditors, and introduced new systems and processes to stabilise operations.

Building a Consultancy Practice

Long-Term Relationships with Investors

Through his own consultancy practice, John worked for nearly a decade with prominent family-owned property investors. Managing hospitality operations and providing financial leadership, he built long-term trust with clients who valued his clarity, discipline, and calm problem-solving.

Leading Turnarounds and Restructuring

John’s work has consistently centred on helping businesses regain stability. In one notable case, he improved financial reporting processes so significantly that annual accounts, which had previously required extensive audit adjustments, were delivered cleanly and without amendment.

“Dealing with creditors in a calm, methodical way is something I’ve done a lot of and I’m proud of the results.”

John’s Professional Style and Philosophy

Flexible, Professional, and Patient

John describes his style as flexible, professional, and patient qualities that allow him to adapt to complex environments while building trust with teams and stakeholders.

“The first two hours of the day are key, they set the tone for everything else.”

Cashflow Discipline and Financial Clarity

For John, cashflow is always the starting point. “Cash first, always,” he says. His daily approach begins with monitoring the cash position, a principle sharpened by years of turnaround work. His audit background gives him an eye for detail, ensuring clarity and accuracy in financial reporting.

Communication as the Cornerstone of Trust

Transparency is central to his philosophy. “The worst thing you can do is go quiet,” John explains. “That’s when rumours start, and trust begins to erode.”

What John Brings to EFM as a Fractional Finance Director

Supporting SMEs with Turnaround Expertise

John specialises in helping SMEs overcome financial challenges, stabilise cash positions, and rebuild confidence. He enjoys diagnosing core issues, whether underperformance in finance teams, leadership bottlenecks, or cashflow struggles and guiding businesses back to growth.

“A lot of businesses need someone who can step in, steady the ship, and give the owners confidence again. That’s where I can make the difference.”

Helping Businesses Scale from £2m–£50m

John is particularly passionate about working with companies in the £2m–£50m turnover range: ambitious businesses facing the pain points of scaling. For these clients, John provides hands-on financial leadership without the overhead of a full-time FD.

Outside of Work

Football, Golf, and Theatre

Beyond finance, John is a lifelong Spurs supporter and season ticket holder, enjoys golf, and is an enthusiastic theatre-goer. “I’m a lifelong Spurs supporter with a season ticket, and I love the theatre from West End musicals to local fringe productions.”

Connect with John Through EFM

John is excited to bring his experience in turnaround, growth, and financial leadership to EFM clients across the UK.

To explore how John can support your business as a Fractional Finance Director, contact EFM today.