Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with Stamford Consulting Group.

What is a retained CFO or Finance Director?

A retained CFO or Finance Director is an experienced finance leader who works with your business on a part-time or fractional basis, providing the same strategic financial leadership as a full-time CFO — but at a fraction of the cost and commitment. They become part of your senior team, attending meetings, supporting the board and providing ongoing strategic and operational financial support.

How is this different from hiring a full-time CFO?

A full-time CFO is a significant overhead — salary, NI, benefits and a long-term commitment. A retained arrangement provides the same quality of financial leadership on a flexible basis, scaling with your needs. You get the expertise without the full cost or commitment.

What size of businesses do you work with?

We work with businesses across a range of sizes — from ambitious owner-managed businesses and scaling start-ups through to mid-market companies with complex financial requirements. The common thread is businesses that need experienced financial leadership but want flexibility in how they access it.

What sectors do you work in?

Our team has experience across a wide range of sectors including technology, retail, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, professional services, private equity-backed businesses, founder-led businesses and design & fashion. See our Industries page for more detail.

How do your engagements typically work?

Every engagement begins with a discovery call to understand your business, your challenges and what you're looking to achieve. From there, we propose a partnership structure that reflects your needs — whether that's a core finance partner, a growth-focused strategic partner or embedded executive CFO leadership. All engagements are retained, meaning we're with you on an ongoing basis.

Can you support a specific project rather than an ongoing engagement?

While our core model is retained, we can support specific projects where the circumstances are right — for example, a funding round, an acquisition process or a finance function review. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

What does it cost?

Our pricing is bespoke to each engagement, reflecting the scope, level of support and time required. We don't publish fixed fees because every business is different. Contact us for a conversation and we'll provide a proposal tailored to your needs.

How quickly can you start?

In most cases we can begin an engagement within a matter of weeks. Contact us to discuss your timeline.

Still have questions?

We'd love to have a conversation. Book a no-obligation discovery call and let's discuss whether Stamford Consulting Group is the right fit for your business.