Calm, Creative Finance Support for Growth-Focused SMEs

Peter Johnson, our latest EFM Associate, brings extensive experience in Finance and financial management. Having founded several businesses and social enterprises, he deeply understands how entrepreneurial SMEs launch, grow, and scale successfully.

While Peter thrives in dynamic, fast-paced SME environments, his approach remains pragmatic and authentic. He excels at calmly creating strategic solutions that remove growth barriers.

“Understandably, when SMEs face finance and other challenges, stressful reactions can result. So, it’s important, in my role, to show the business that I’ve seen this before, and to reassure them that we can deal with it effectively.”

This calm, steady approach makes Peter especially effective in supporting innovative businesses doing something different and making those new ideas successful.

From Big Four to Business Builder: Peter’s Commercial Finance Journey

Peter’s route into SME finance was unconventional. Early in his career, he moved from a Big Four audit role into a much more commercially focused insolvency position, where rapid decisions and creative problem-solving were essential.

“This was my route into working with smaller businesses to help them wrestle with difficult financial and strategic decisions and solve problems creatively. At the same time, I helped them become more organised, ready for the next stages of business growth.”

More Than Finance: A Leader Across Strategy, Funding, and Operations

Peter’s career spans consultancy, political advisory, sustainability, tech, insurance, and not-for-profit sectors. But beyond his finance credentials, he’s also taken on operational leadership across legal, HR, and compliance-key functions that often fall to finance leaders in smaller companies.

Key Achievements in Numbers

• Raised over £20 million in funding for multinational SMEs
• Delivered M&A strategy and international growth support
• Successfully led businesses through venture capital rounds and due diligence processes

Peter is well practised in managing investor relationships and providing clarity and assurance around numbers and business planning.

“Straight dealing, delivering on time, making sure the numbers add up, and seeing things through are all key. And it’s about advising the business owner or leader openly, honestly, and simply.”

What Peter Brings to EFM and Its Clients

With over 30 years’ experience, Peter is well suited to EFM’s diverse SME client base. His focus areas include strategy, business plans, logistics, systems, investor documentation, and financial modelling. But he’s equally at home building and developing teams to support these functions.

“I see particular value in EFM’s extensive network of finance professionals, as well as its ability to recruit for full-time finance roles. I’ll be making good use of these connections to ensure my clients get the right blend of skills, cost-effectively.”

Peter’s commitment to budgeting and reporting improvements ensures his clients gain better visibility, control, and confidence in their financial position. His multilingual skills will also prove valuable in cross-border team management and investor relations.

In His Own Words: Why Peter Joined EFM

“I’m delighted that, as an outsourced Finance Director at EFM, I’ll be part of an organisation that brings vital financial leadership and strategy into smaller businesses, affordably and accessibly. Effective finance oversight is critical in enabling SMEs to operate effectively and fulfil their commercial ambitions.”

“I’m looking forward very much to engaging with EFM’s ever-growing client base, and to supporting innovative, original, growth-hungry SMEs to achieve—and exceed—their business objectives.”

Connect with Peter

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