Gent & Associates

Confidential CFO Search for a PE-Backed Firm

A private equity-backed mid-market manufacturing firm with $150 million in annual revenue approached us to conduct a discreet search for a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Facing underperformance from their existing CFO, the firm needed a swift, confidential replacement to meet aggressive growth and reporting demands set by their investors.

Client Overview

The client is a private equity-backed firm specializing in manufacturing, requiring leadership to drive financial strategy and scalability.

Challenges

Confidentiality: Ensuring the outgoing CFO remained unaware of the search.
Specialized Expertise: A need for candidates with private equity experience and scaling expertise.
Time Sensitivity: A 90-day window to onboard a new CFO.
Cultural Alignment: Candidates needed to align with high-performance expectations and collaborative culture.

Strategy

Stakeholder Alignment: Defined role priorities with the PE firm and CEO, ensuring clarity and confidentiality.
Market Mapping: Targeted CFOs with private equity and operational finance expertise.
Confidential Screening: Conducted discreet outreach and interviews to assess technical and cultural fit.
Regular Updates: Maintained transparent communication with stakeholders while safeguarding confidentiality.

Outcome

Qualified Candidates: Presented three exceptional candidates within 60 days.
Successful Placement: Hired a CFO with 15 years of private equity experience within 75 days.
Immediate Impact: Implemented financial systems, led due diligence for a strategic acquisition, and improved EBITDA margin by 15% within six months.

Key Takeaways

A structured, confidential search process is critical for minimizing operational disruptions and delivering top-tier executive talent in private equity-backed environments.