2nd May 2017
About Underground Toys
Underground Toys is a leading global creator, manufacturer and distributor of licensed products with offices in the UK, U.S. and Hong Kong. Their creative department works with many of the world’s top entertainment companies to merchandise their brands across many product categories including toys, adult collectables, gifts, gadgets and homewares.
Underground Toys Ltd is now owned by Funko UK Ltd who are owned by Funko LLC in the states (a main supplier to UT).
Underground Toys, a successful family business which had grown rapidly since its incorporation in 2002, needed to recruit a group financial controller. The financial controller was a newly created position sitting between the team of 10 which comprised of 8 accounts assistants and 2 management accountants, and the CFO
The group is a successful established and growing business, based in Essex with a UK and a US based presence. When we met the client, we learnt that, the finance team was headed up the CFO who was also one of the founding directors. Our objective was to find an experienced group financial controller who would increase the efficiency and quality of the finance department so it could serve and support the needs of this fast growing business whilst releasing the CFO to focus more on the strategic issues facing the business.
Following a meeting with the CFO and his number two, we identified a number of key requirements/attributes for the role. These included:
• Strong financial control and cash management skills.
• Ability to motivate, lead and improve effectiveness of finance team.
• Enhance quality and accuracy of reporting.
• Improve systems, controls and compliance.
• Cover for CFO when required.
• Strong commercial skills and awareness.
There was also a particular need to introduced detailed reporting on product and channel sales and profitability as well as improving budgeting, forecasting and planning. They would also be required to manage group treasury and UK banking relations.
Having gained an in-depth understanding of the role we interviewed a number of qualified candidates whom we considered to have the necessary experience and ability to take on this challenging role. Following face-to-face interviews, a short-list of 4 was submitted to the client.
An experienced and stable financial controller who had a track record gained within complex and demanding manufacturing and design/installation business environments, and multi-channel reporting was selected.
Their experience included developing and improving ERP systems, creating KPIs, designing and reports. The candidate was also a strong financial controller with significant experience of managing and creating robust systems, making for a good match for the company and an exciting opportunity for the candidate.
