Head of Finance

Shrewsbury

£70 – 90,000 + Car + Bonus + BUPA

 

Seymour John has been exclusively retained to recruit a Head of Finance for Budgen Motors.

Budgen Motors is a long-established, family-run automotive retail and aftersales business operating across Shrewsbury and Telford. Representing a strong portfolio of brands including Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, MG, Dacia and used cars and vans, the business has built an excellent reputation for customer service, community involvement and manufacturer performance.

This is an important appointment at an exciting stage in Budgen’s development. The business is pursuing significant growth opportunities, including the launch of additional Stellantis brands from a new Shrewsbury site this September, expansion in the regional business fleet market, continued development of its aftersales operation, and the adoption of automation and AI-led systems improvements.  Whilst current turnover is just north of £80m, 2027 will see the business drive sales to considerably over the £100m mark.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of Finance will lead the finance and vehicle administration function, managing a team of seven and ensuring the business has timely, accurate and commercially useful financial information.

This is a hands-on senior finance role, suited to someone who is comfortable operating close to the detail while also influencing strategic and operational decision-making.

The successful candidate will take ownership of management accounts, financial controls, budgets, forecasts, cash forecasting, banking relationships, stock finance, insurance matters and transactional integrity across a high-volume automotive environment. Just as importantly, they will work closely with operational teams to improve performance, strengthen processes, support profitable growth and help the business make better use of data, systems and automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop the finance and vehicle administration team.
• Produce timely, accurate and insightful management accounts and reporting.
• Maintain strong financial control across transactions, costs, manufacturer debt, warranty debt and stock-related processes.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts and short-term cash forecasts.
• Build effective relationships with sales, aftersales and operational teams to improve communication, process efficiency and commercial outcomes.
• Support performance improvement across areas such as parts margin, used car margin, aftersales productivity and customer retention.
• Lead or support finance transformation, automation and systems improvement projects.
• Provide financial insight into growth opportunities, including new brands, fleet development and possible acquisition opportunities.

About You

You will be an experienced finance leader who enjoys being close to the business, not just reporting the numbers. You will be comfortable managing the fundamentals of a well-run finance function while also challenging, influencing and improving how the business operates.

Automotive retail experience would be highly relevant, although candidates from other high-volume, operationally complex environments may also be considered. Strong Excel and Microsoft 365 skills are expected, while experience with Power BI, SQL, automation tools or dealer management systems would be advantageous.

Why Join Budgen Motors?

This is a genuine opportunity to join a well-established, community-focused business with strong brand relationships, ambitious growth plans and a clear appetite for improvement. For the right person, there is progression available towards Finance Director, once the core finance function is operating at the right level and the role is adding broader commercial value to the business.

Package

• Base salary: £70,000–£90,000 depending on experience and proven impact.
• Company car available.
• Modest bonus linked to agreed deliverables.
• Full family private BUPA healthcare.
• Standard pension contribution.

How to Apply

Seymour John is acting as sole agent for Budgen Motors on this appointment. For a confidential discussion, please contact Phil Topper, Director, on 07929 159674 or email [email protected].