Eight Exciting Hours of Cycling In Sun, Wind and Rain
We've successfully completed another year's 8-Hour Cycle Challenge at Brands Hatch. fdu entered three teams in this year's exciting day’s cycling, testing our endurance and team spirit with friends and colleagues.
Raising Fists For Charity
We recently sponsored Durham University student Efan Morris, who raised his fists to raise money for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity at ‘Fight Night Durham’. At fdu we always encourage grassroots sports involvement, and this was no exception.
Today’s Talent Is Flexing Its Muscle
The pandemic slowly rumbles on, and businesses are noticing a fundamental shift occurring with employees gaining more influence over their work environments than ever before.
The Covid Career Break – Coming Back Stronger
While circumstances due to the pandemic have often been dire, they have also had positive outcomes such as a new job or even career due to events forcing a new direction, a new attitude or new ideas.
Netball Star at the Maccabiah Games 2022
fdu is proud to be sponsoring Jodie Bloom, a member of the Team Maccabi GB U18 netball squad taking part in the 21st Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 2022 – the largest Jewish international sports tournament.
What Management Teams May Not Realise About IPOs
The attractions of an IPO can be many and varied. This does however come with obligations the company needs to comply with.
fdu Futsal Fun for Hadley Rangers U15s
This year we have taken our sponsorship of the Hadley Rangers Youth FC U15 team one step further by introducing them to the fantastic game of futsal.
Start-Up Financial Controllers: The Need To Be Olympic
The Olympics is not the only place where athletic, agile and driven behaviour gets you to the pinnacle of your career.
Rapid Growth Retailers Face the Danger of Crashing to Earth
Rapid growth retailing is a turbulent journey. When it’s time to make big decisions that determine your future, you need to be adequately prepared.
The Power Of ‘What If…?’
How do NEDs address strategy and long term value creation, particularly at a point where we are still working through short term priorities such as the pandemic and lockdowns?
How Non-Executive Directors Can Help De-Risk IPOs
NEDs can coach CEOs and CFOs on key areas where they may not have experience but which are required in the PLC environment.
Traditional Retailers are Losing the Growth Race
Non digital retailers face catastrophic failure in the evolving competitive environment.
It’s Rocket Science! An Update on the SUSF Altitude Record Attempt
We are proud to be sponsoring Southampton University Spaceflight Society's altitude record attempt: to break the F-class motor altitude record (4386 ft).
Is Digital Investment the Retail Saviour?
The appeal of product and price will always be important, but the digital experience is crucial to traffic, conversion and ultimately loyalty.
Raising Funds for Rowley Lane
I❤️ROWLEYLANE At fdu we strongly believe in the positive links between sport and business, and as part of that [...]
fdu 2020 Roundup
We have produced and read insightful content over the last year, so take a moment to browse through some elements of our ecosystem.
Recruiting For Soft Skills: 3 Top Tips For Making The Hardest Part Of The Recruiting Process Easier
Good news for Hiring Managers looking to improve the likelihood of hiring a successful Candidate in 2021.
fdu’s Countdown to 2021
As a slightly different countdown to the New Year, we bring you a song for each day with a number in the title.
Navigating The COVID-Affected World of Finance
The pandemic has seen traditional lenders move to provide more working capital solutions to help pay VAT and HMRC bills in monthly instalments. This could prove crucial as businesses focus on preserving and managing cash flow.
The Interim To Permanent Trend … Is It Permanent?
The Interim To Permanent Trend … Is It Permanent? 2020 certainly has not delivered the usual in terms of [...]
Up, Up and Away! We’re Sponsoring The SUSF Altitude Record Attempt
We are proud to be sponsoring Southampton University Spaceflight Society‘s altitude record attempt: to break the F-class motor altitude record [...]
Turnaround and Transformation – Catalysts and Costs
For those executive teams that do not have the foresight to react early enough to change, one solution is to have sufficient challenge from the Chairman and the NEDs to stimulate debate which leads to action in time.
fdu Proudly Sponsoring Hadley Rangers U14 Team
We are proud to be sponsoring the Hadley Rangers U14 team this season. Hadley Rangers Youth FC is a [...]
“What Personal Liability?” One Question For The CFO From Their Board Colleagues
“What Personal Liability?” One Question For The CFO From Their Board Colleagues fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, [...]
Interim Management – The Secret Weapon In Times Of Change
Interim Management – The Secret Weapon In Times Of Change During periods of major transition, upheaval and change, organisations [...]
The New World of Work
The New World of Work As lockdown slowly eases us back in to some sense of (adjusted) normality, more [...]
What Are The Key Topics Chairmen And NEDs Should Be Discussing Now?
What Are The Key Topics Chairmen And NEDs Should Be Discussing Now? fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, [...]
Liquidity: Some Less Obvious Questions To Ask
Liquidity: some less obvious questions to ask fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of The Association [...]
The New Normal: Recruitment and Onboarding in Lockdown and Beyond
The New Normal … Recruitment and Onboarding in Lockdown and Beyond In recent weeks, we have observed various adjustments [...]
Liquidity: Does The Global Financial Crisis Give Us Any Clues As To The Future?
Liquidity: Does The Global Financial Crisis Give Us Any Clues As To The Future? fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a [...]
Liquidity Dynamics During A Period Of Uncertainty
Liquidity Dynamics During a Period of Uncertainty fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of The Association [...]
Lockdown, Interim Management and Me
Lockdown, Interim Management and Me Whilst we all find ourselves in unusual times, our ability to react, change and [...]
Liquidity: Further Thoughts on a Lesson from Past Crises
Liquidity – Further Thoughts on a Lesson From Past Crises fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow [...]
Liquidity: A Lesson From Past Crises
Liquidity: A Lesson From Past Crises fdu’s guest blogger, David Tilston is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of The [...]
Business Only Stops When Businesses Stop
Business Only Stops When Businesses Stop In this pandemic, theatres are empty, conferences have been cancelled, the great British [...]
Cash Management in Crisis
Cash Management In Crisis Most businesses are facing a tricky path navigating the unique current circumstances and are trying [...]
Riding The Curveball
Riding The Curveball In these unprecedented times, it is easy to get lost in the detail of the moment [...]
Diversity: If You Want Different Results, Set Realistic Expectations
Diversity: If You Want Different Results, Set Realistic Expectations fdu’s guest blogger, Julia Warrack talks about the importance diversity [...]
Corporate Tech Functions, Embrace Your Inner People Managers
Corporate Tech Functions, Embrace Your Inner People Managers fdu's guest blogger, Julia Warrack talks about the importance of [...]
Dear CEO, Are You Listening?
In early January the Financial Conduct Authority sent an open letter to CEOs in the wholesale general insurance sector [...]
End of the Decade …
2019 represented the end of fdu’s first decade in Professional Services, and it has been a whirlwind 12 months. [...]
MdS Motivation: Synergy in Performance across Sport and Business
At fdu we have always championed the synergies in performance across both sport and business. There are countless examples [...]
Nurturing Strong Relationships is a Cornerstone of Sport, Business and Life
fdu has always been a supporter of grassroots football and its emphasis on learning and development. The fdu-sponsored Maccabi [...]
A Successful fdu Sponsorship Story: The Saracens ARFC Minis Easter Tour
fdu has always championed the development of teamwork, discipline and self-confidence through sport. Sponsoring the Saracens ARFC Minis 2019 [...]
The Business Of Cycling: Getting Everyone To Face The Same Way
As part of our #fduCONNECT theme for 2019, our guest blog by Martin Gibbs shares his perspective on moving [...]
Virtual or Actual Media in Business: What is the Real Difference? Part 4
As part of our #fduCONNECT theme for 2019, our fourth guest blog by David Burton completes his exploration of [...]
Virtual or Actual Media in Business: What is the Real Difference? Part 3
As part of our #fduCONNECT theme for 2019, our third guest blog by David Burton continues his exploration of the [...]
Virtual or Actual Media in Business: What is the real difference? Part 2
As part of our #fduCONNECT theme for 2019, our second guest blog by David Burton continues his exploration of [...]
Virtual or Actual Media in Business: What is the Real Difference? Part 1
As part of our #fduCONNECT theme for 2019, our guest blog by David Burton explores the differences between virtual [...]
A Century Is About Events. A Decade Is About People.
Celebrating fdu's first decade in business this year, we are finding George Friedman's quote to ring true. In 2009 [...]
Connecting People, Not Just The Dots, in 2019
Looking back on our decade in business this year, it is clear that the driving force behind our vision [...]
Our Top Three Ideas To Take On 2019
We are a few days into the new year already and with an eventful one ahead, we have picked [...]
Chasing Chemistry, Not Excellence
The climate of an organisation can be blown off course by one of many factors: market uncertainty; brain drain; [...]
Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Fail?
How many times have you hesitated in life due to fear of failure? Held back, doubted yourself or feared [...]
How to WIN – Consistency, Dedication and Hard Work
Who would win a race between Nijinsky and Black Beauty? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Nijinsky would, [...]
The Cream Doesn’t Always Rise To The Top
Leaders often wonder why a diverse talent pool at junior levels doesn’t equate to a similarly diverse senior management. [...]
A Great FD is like your GP
The Finance Director’s primary role in fast growth and mid-cap environments is to support the CEO in delivering the [...]
Relocation, Relocation, Relocation
The majority of organisations acknowledge that taking an overseas assignment is good for an employee’s career prospects. And to [...]
Volunteering Can Lead to Happiness, Who Knew?
When was the last time you volunteered to do something meaningful which would support your career development and possibly [...]
#PressForProgress … but #PickUpThePace
International Women’s Day (IWD) was first celebrated in 1911 by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and [...]
Leading With A Different Kind Of Intelligence
Political events over the last several years have led to an increasing amount of national navel-gazing. In the UK, [...]
The Future of FP&A: Replacing Analysis with Analytics
Wherever you turn, disruption is taking place with businesses trying to accelerate by adopting a more strategic focus. At [...]
Kicking It Up A Gear in 2018? Remember The Basics.
With all the news of now swirling around us and business, political and sporting events already racing relentlessly ahead [...]
The Life Of A CFO: A Tale Of Disruption
The life of a Chief Financial Officer has never been easy or simple. If one thing is obvious, it’s [...]
The Landscape of Debt and the Process of Change – Defining Your Future
Last week fdu hosted another successful event in our Committed To Growth Business Breakfast Series along with Clearwater International [...]
Are You Playing A Part In What’s Coming Next?
fdu hosted another successful event in our Committed to Change Business Breakfast Series, in partnership with Nolan Business Solutions. [...]
Clean Up Your Ledgers!
Even without a Year End looming, Finance and Accounts teams are always busy and it only takes one or [...]
Finance And Not For Profit … Do They Mix?
Robust financial management in the Not For Profit sector has again come under the spotlight with yet another charity [...]
Sort Out Your Finance Function Early and Enjoy a Smoother Ride
Over the years I cannot tell you how many times I have heard business leaders of growth companies declare, [...]
How To Choose The Right FD For Your Fast Growth SME
Once you decide you need a Finance Director for your business, how do you know if you’ve chosen [...]
Don’t Disrupt The Disruptors – Finance Hiring Within The Fast-Paced Tech Environment
Technology today is by its very nature disruptive. Smart business practice in the fast-paced tech environment therefore includes regularly [...]
Headlamps on Full Beam: Practical Guidance on Cash Flow Forecasting
If there’s one spreadsheet you have to set up, love, and cherish, it’s the cash flow forecast. Visibility to [...]
It Is Time to #BeBoldForChange in Business
With the debate about the gender pay gap in the workplace still rolling on, International Women’s Day is bringing [...]
Are You Fuelling The Growth Or Harbouring The Weeds?
As a leader, what do you consider to be important to your business? The numbers, definitely, but what about the [...]
Year End: Being Realistic Is As Important As Being Prepared
Year End is always a stressful time, no matter how thorough the preparation. As a CFO or Finance Director, [...]
We Have Moved!
We have moved offices to a great new location. As of February 2017, our new address is: 4th Floor [...]
Mind the Gap … Between Your Marketing Promise and Your Service Delivery
As we enter 2017, planning to take advantage of the commercial opportunities ahead of us, how many of our [...]
Managing Phenomenal Growth for Success
fdu CFO Series: Interview with Matthew Bonfield, Huntswood CFO In a series of interviews with CFOs in high growth [...]
Interim Is The New Black
Since the global financial crisis of 2008, businesses have been running a lot leaner, rarely extending beyond ten per [...]
Our Reading Office is Open for Business
fdu has always been ‘Committed to Growth’ – both that of our Clients’ and our own Executive Search business. We [...]
Business Transformation: How Do Others Get It Right?
Transformation in business is rarely easy or straightforward. It is, however, often necessary for the survival or growth of a [...]
There’s a Revolution Ahead in Education – But You Must Log in To Join in
Formidable developments in educational technology are leading us to a very different world in higher education in the not too [...]
“I’m On The Phone!”
Who would have predicted that out of all the technology available, those little devices glued to our hands or ears [...]
Volunteering in the Education Sector – a Win-Win Situation
The new school year inevitably starts with the annual frenzied media attention lavished on the education sector. Among the current [...]
fdu Focus – Technology in Retail
Not to be outdone by other sectors, retail is embracing technology in its race towards the future. However, it’s not [...]
fdu Focus – Manufacturing
UK manufacturing has taken a hit in the media with Brexit woes and general economic vulnerability. With Article 50 and [...]
Flyin’ To The Finish – On Tour With Adam Bloch
fdu’s CEO Adam Bloch, recently completed four stages of the Tour De Force charity cycle challenge as part of his [...]
fdu Focus – Retail
The world of retail has not been unaffected by the momentous Brexit vote. While some brands are experiencing shareholder uncertainty, [...]
How to Up Your Game – Lessons from Sir Alex Ferguson
Imagine being a manager of a company which sits nicely on the map of the world’s biggest live entertainment business. [...]
Finance Business Partnering – Five Facets That Make It Work
Jens Madrian is Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer at Reactive Technologies. He was formerly CFO of RWE npower with [...]
Tenacity, Resolve and Drive – On Tour With Adam Bloch
fdu’s CEO Adam Bloch, has signed up to join four stages of the Tour De Force charity cycle challenge as [...]
10 Differences of Working Within Private Equity vs Plc
fdu's Richard Morris talks to Chief Financial Officer Swag Mukerji about the differences between private equity and Plc. businesses after his [...]
Think, Prepare and Perform Like Elite Athletes. An Opportunity for Businesses to Learn About High Performance from Sport
fdu is proud to be working in association with The Financial Times Corporate World Championships to host a business breakfast event with [...]
It’s All About Tenacity – On Tour With Adam Bloch
fdu’s CEO, Adam Bloch, has signed up to join four stages of the Tour De Force charity cycle challenge as [...]
Personality vs Performance in Leadership
Have you ever walked into a meeting with your boss feeling confident and well prepared yet you left deflated, confused [...]
fdu Focus – Technology
The only constant in the world of technology is change. It is still astounding to see the speed at [...]
It’s All About Purpose – On Tour With Adam Bloch
fdu’s CEO, Adam Bloch, has signed up to the join a stage of the Tour De Force charity cycle challenge [...]
Inspired By Coldplay – Rory Coleman Talks About Eliteness
Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay "Turn your magic on" - Martin Song Choice:- I listened to this track as I [...]
fdu’s Kira Owen Talks About Women In Finance
Marking International Women’s Day, fdu’s Kira Owen discusses the representation of women in Finance and if it’s changed within her [...]
What CFO’s Are Looking For In Their Finance Director
Once you decide you need a Finance Director, or your backers tell you it's a condition of their investment, how [...]
The Digital Transformation: A CFO’s Perspective
Former Chief Financial Officer at RWE npower, Jens Madrian shares his views on how technology developments have impacted businesses and [...]
fdu 2015 Year End – Celebrating 100% Top Line Growth
Back in January this year we introduced fdu’s new strapline, committed to growth, stating our commitment to growth, both yours [...]
Adrian Abbott explains what SME’s can learn from FTSE 100 Companies
Retail professional and experienced Finance and Transformation Director; Adrian Abbott explains what SME’s can learn from FTSE 100 Companies. When [...]
Sharing the fdu story
fdu recently created a series of videos to communicate the fdu story, introduce the fdu team and to share some feedback from Clients which [...]
The Board, Advisors & Shareholders. Who’s driving the deal bus?
Doing deals is all about teamwork. For FDs and their board colleagues, that means having clear messages and conscious control [...]
The FDs’ Excellence Awards – Celebrating Excellence across the Industry
It was an honour to be asked to judge the 2015 FDs’ Excellence Award for the Private Company FD of [...]
Who will read … my gorgeous MI?
As soon as possible after the month end, beanies working in SME’s all over the world race to produce Management [...]