In today’s evolving business landscape, companies across the East Midlands are rethinking how they access senior finance talent. One model gaining serious momentum is fractional recruitment—a flexible, cost-effective way to bring in high-level finance expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire.
What Is Fractional Recruitment?
Fractional recruitment allows businesses to hire experienced finance professionals—such as Finance Directors, CFOs, or Financial Controllers—on a part-time, project-based, or interim basis. These professionals work with multiple clients, offering strategic insight and leadership for a fraction of the time and cost.
It’s a smart way to get the required level of financial leadership, tailored to your business needs—whether that’s one day a week, a few days a month, or support during a critical growth phase.
The Rise of Fractional Finance Roles: What the Data Says
The UK has seen a dramatic rise in fractional finance leadership:
-
In 2022, only around 2,000 professionals referenced fractional CFO roles. By 2024, that number had surged to over 110,000
-
Around 52% of executives now outsource at least one finance function, with fractional CFOs and FDs playing a key role in this shift
-
Businesses report 40–60% cost savings when using fractional executives compared to full-time hires
- The trend is especially strong among PE-backed and scaling SMEs, where strategic financial oversight is needed but full-time roles are hard to justify.
This isn’t just a temporary fix—it’s a strategic evolution in how businesses build their finance teams.
Why Fractional Might Be Right for Your Business
Fractional finance recruitment is ideal for:
- Growing SMEs needing strategic financial input without the full-time cost.
- Startups preparing for funding rounds or scaling operations.
- Businesses in transition, such as mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring.
- Companies with seasonal or project-based needs, like year-end reporting or system upgrades.
It’s a way to stay agile, manage costs, and still access top-tier financial leadership.
How Is It Different from Interim/Temporary or Fixed-Term Recruitment?
While interim and fixed-term contracts fill short-term gaps, fractional recruitment is more strategic and flexible. Fractional roles are tailored, ongoing, and high-impact—designed to evolve with your business.
Fractional professionals don’t just fill a seat—they drive value, shape strategy, and help your business grow.
Why Cherry?
At Cherry, we’ve been specialists in finance recruitment for over 17 years, working with businesses across the East Midlands to find the right talent at the right time. We understand the nuances of fractional hiring and have a strong network of experienced professionals ready to make a difference.
Whether you need a part-time Finance Director, interim support, or project-based expertise, we’ll help you find someone who fits your culture, goals, and budget.
Let’s Talk
Curious about how the fractional model could work for your business? Let’s chat. Get in touch today to explore whether fractional finance recruitment is the solution you’ve been looking for.
Nottinghamshire