Job type
PermanentLocation
CheltenhamWorking Pattern
Flexible Working,Full-timeSpecialism
Senior Finance QualifiedIndustry
Agriculture, Fishing & ForestryPay
£65000 - 75,000
Cotswolds - Financial Controller - Number one in finance - Hybrid role
Financial Controller
Salary: £60,000 - £75,000 DOE + Benefits
Location: Based near Cheltenham, GL54 5FL (Hybrid)
Reports to: CEO & Finance Director | Board-level role
Join one of the UK's most beloved rural destinations at a pivotal point in its journey.
- Hays Senior Finance are exclusively partnering with Cotswold Farm Park, founded by Joe Henson and now led by his son Adam Henson and Duncan Andrews, is a pioneering, multi-entity business in farming, tourism, retail and media.
- We are looking for a commercially minded, technically excellent Financial Controller to step into a senior leadership role that is as hands-on as it is strategic.
This is more than just a finance role. It's a chance to help shape the future of a group that includes:
- Cotswold Farm Park Ltd - A thriving visitor attraction with food & beverage, admissions, retail, events, and accommodation
- Henson & Andrews Ltd - A regenerative farm and corporate/media vehicle focused on sustainability, education and value-added produce
- Cotswold Farm Park Enterprises Ltd - A growing e-commerce and staff employment hub
The Role: Balance of Leadership & Delivery
- Lead day-to-day finance operations including payroll, invoicing, budgeting, cashflow, and compliance
- Collaborate with the CEO and FD to provide insight and challenge around business planning
- Act as principal contact for external accountants and advisors
- Contribute to and lead board-level discussions (monthly across three businesses)
- Develop and coach a Finance Assistant and oversee the contributions of a part-time Management Accountant
- Represent finance across the wider business and support performance against strategic OKRs
Key Projects in Year 1
- Support the delivery of capital expenditure projects including a new commercial kitchen, investment in leisure and ride-on attractions, and expansion of holiday accommodation and guest reception areas
- Design and implement a cashflow forecasting model integrated with Xero
- Assist in the integration of financial data from multiple platforms (ePOS, payroll, online bookings, etc.) to streamline reporting and drive better decision-making
- Collaborate on the rollout of Perdoo as a new performance and OKR platform, ensuring alignment with finance systems and strategic objectives
- Improve turnaround time and reporting accuracy in the monthly close process
- Take ownership of funding and grant reporting, with support from the Finance Director
What You'll Bring
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 5 years PQE in an SME or multi-entity environment
- A track record of delivering robust financial control alongside strategic value
- Commercial acumen and curiosity to analyse ROI and support growth decisions
- Experience in B2C, seasonal, or high-transaction environments preferred
- Proven capability with systems integration, forecasting tools, and hands-on reporting (Xero experience ideal)
- High emotional intelligence and outstanding communication skills, with a collaborative approach to non-finance teams
The Opportunity
- Progression pathway to Finance Director within 2-3 years (or sooner dependent on performance)
- Board-level visibility and strategic input from day one
- Varied, dynamic work across farming, tourism, retail, and e-commerce
- Work closely with entrepreneurial leadership in a values-led, future-focused organisation
- Make a tangible impact on conservation, sustainability and education
Why Join Cotswold Farm Park?
- Be part of a heritage brand with a modern growth agenda
- Contribute to a purpose-driven organisation with strong family values
- Enjoy a rural, family-friendly environment with a collaborative team
- Competitive salary, benefits, pension, and development support
- On-site role with a close-knit team and beautiful surroundings
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.