Case study: Building a finance centre of excellence for a top media brand

Hays partnered with a leading UK media organisation to build a finance centre of excellence in Manchester, delivering senior finance talent at pace to support a major regional transformation.
 

Overview 

One of Europe’s largest radio and outdoor media business needed to undertake a major transformation programme, relocating its finance function from London and establishing a new centre in the regions. The ambition was to build a high-performing finance team capable of supporting future growth.

Challenge 

As part of its transformation strategy, the organisation set out to relocate its finance function from London and establish a new centre of excellence in a regional location. 
 

This created several critical hiring challenges, including:

• Attracting top-tier finance talent:Securing senior, qualified finance professionals – including first‑time movers from the Big Four – within a highly competitive and candidate‑short market.

• Building a team at pace: 
  Recruiting more than 17 senior finance professionals in a compressed timeframe, from Financial Accountants through to a Head of Shared Services Centre.

• Regional know-how:
  With no existing footprint in the shortlisted locations, the client required a recruitment partner that could combine scale with regional  knowledge and specialist finance expertise.

Solution

Hays partnered with the organisation to support the strategic decision on location through detailed market insight, talent mapping and stakeholder presentations. Following the selection of Manchester, Hays was appointed on an exclusive basis to deliver a large scale recruitment programme.

A dedicated account team was established, led by an Account Director and specialist finance consultants. We developed a clear recruitment timeline, tailored candidate packs and a compelling employer value proposition to position the client as an employer of choice in a new market. Regular stakeholder meetings ensured transparency, momentum and continuous feedback throughout the process.

Outcome 

The project delivered clear, measurable results and established a strong foundation for the organisation’s new finance function:

• 85% fill rate achieved across 17 senior qualified finance roles within the agreed timeframe
• A fully operational finance centre of excellence established in Manchester to support future growth
• Access to previously hard to reach talent, including Big Four professionals and high quality passive candidates
• Strong stakeholder feedback and early retention, reflecting quality of hire and cultural fit
• A long term partnership established, built on trust, delivery and continued collaboration

Looking to build or relocate a high performing finance function?

Speak to our accountancy and finance recruitment specialists to access senior talent, strengthen regional capability, and support large scale finance transformation.
 

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