Group Financial Controller / Head of Finance

Known the world over as experts in cashmere and fine woollens, Johnstons is one of Scotland’s most iconic businesses (see https://www.johnstonsofelgin.com/retail/).  Privately owned and with over 200 years of great history and heritage, it has a turnover of c£77m and 1000 employees, based at their mills in Elgin, Moray and in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders.  With sales offices in Tokyo, New York, Paris, London and Dusseldorf and clients that include the world’s foremost fashion houses, this is a truly international luxury brand and manufacturer.

The values of Trust, Craftsmanship, Innovation and Community are very important to us.  The family owners of the business see themselves as custodians of the business, aiming to pass it on to the next generation, building on their predecessors work to continually improve the business.  That means investing in the textile skills that are at the heart of their capability and that support employment in their communities of Elgin and Hawick, and in process and design innovation that ensure we are always able remain relevant to our consumers.

Sustainability is at the heart of Johnstons business model.  Their products are all manufactured in the UK and as the only fully vertical textile manufacturer in Scotland, they have complete control of the process from fibre procurement to finished product.  This allows them to ensure their manufacturing takes place with fair wages and conditions (living wage foundation employer), they only use chemicals which do not harm the environment and that we avoid waste and maximise the quality of their products.  This results in garments made from natural materials that will last for years and degrade naturally at the end of their long life.  They are a ‘slow fashion’ brand.

Following strong results in 2019/2020, including export growing 9.5% and gross margin up to 31.1%, the organisation has gone through the necessary arrangements to stabilise throughout the pandemic and looks to 2021/2022 positively with key investments being made across the business.

We are looking for someone with strong financial control/accounting knowledge (either from Private Practice or Industry) combined with a commercial and confident communication style to become a true financial business partner across the organisation.  Whether coming directly from Private Practice with relevant client experience within Manufacturing / Retail or ideally from industry and seeking a next step into a Head of Finance / Group Financial Controller role we are looking to speak with ambitious and driven candidates looking for an autonomous yet developmental role as they continue their career growth.

This is a very exciting opportunity to bring a balance of hands on financial and commercial business partnering skills to a role aimed at managing and developing a growing finance function, deputising for the FD as appropriate, and join a world leading cashmere brand as it continues its international growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Management of the finance function – Group FD has a dual role as MD and commercial lead for Elgin manufacturing site, so the GFC has a high degree of autonomy as Head of Finance.
• Continuous improvement of business processes in finance.
• Team development and motivation.
• Maintenance of financial controls
• Provision of statutory and management accounts
• Treasury & Tax planning
• Budgeting and business planning
• Capex process and business cases for new investment
• Working with senior management to improve business performance through provision of accurate, timely, relevant management information

For further information on the role or for a confidential discussion, please contact Michael Dickson from FWB Park Brown on +44 131 539 7087 or michael@fwbparkbrown.com