Role: Chief Financial Officer
Perceptor Lead: Ian McAlpine
A major US based FMCG multinational engaged Perceptor to lead the search for a new Chief Financial Officer. Although Perceptor had no prior relationship with the organisation, we were referred by a trusted mutual contact. Following a presentation to senior stakeholders, we were selected ahead of several other search firms based on our long standing track record in FMCG executive search and our reputation for deep relationships and personalised service.
The client required a CFO who could operate confidently across a complex, fast moving FMCG environment. Essential criteria included:
Experience across both large scale multinationals and smaller, more agile businesses
Capability to lead significant change within the Finance function
Strong operational and commercial skills to support a business in active growth
The ability to influence globally while partnering closely with the local Managing Director
Finding a finance leader with this breadth—as well as the mindset to drive transformation—demanded a precise and carefully structured search.
Perceptor delivered a rigorous, time efficient search process that included:
Mapping senior finance talent across FMCG, consumer goods, and adjacent sectors
Prioritising leaders with a balance of corporate discipline and hands on agility
Conducting targeted outreach and assessment within a tight timeframe
Presenting a high quality, relevant shortlist within weeks
We managed the entire interview and evaluation process from first conversations through to final selection, ensuring stakeholders remained aligned at every stage.
The search and negotiation process required careful coordination due to:
Dual reporting lines (local MD and US based global CFO)
Significant involvement from the US headquarters
Multiple decision makers spanning time zones and business units
Perceptor facilitated clear, consistent, and proactive communication across all parties, ensuring expectations remained aligned and that momentum in the process was maintained.
The appointed CFO has now been with the organisation for over a year and has demonstrated:
Strong cultural alignment with both local and global leadership
The capability to drive meaningful improvement across the Finance function
The blend of strategic and operational expertise required for sustained growth
The successful outcome reflects the precision of the search and the importance of strong stakeholder management throughout the process.