The annual number of CFO and Finance Director appointments in the Yorkshire and East Midlands region is 17% higher than in 2022. A significant increase on what was a high figure originally.

The quarterly trends have been erratic – Q2 saw a record number of appointments followed by one of the lowest totals that we have seen in Q3. Q4 has risen back to the weighted average levels of the past two years.

Gender Diversity:

Top three sectors for appointments:

Our predictions for 2024

This is one of the most challenging markets to make predictions in. There are some significant macroeconomic challenges out there but there is also an undercurrent of some strong sectors and businesses that are building up fantastic success stories.

You can visit our series of posts on the Owner Managed Business sector here.

We are being cautious with our predictions for 2024, but are confident of the following:

• Continued increase in the proportion of female appointments to CFO roles.
• Strong performance in energy, healthcare and some parts of technology.
• Increased volume of turnaround and restructuring opportunities.
• Fluctuating levels of recruitment around deal activity - as the impacts of interest rates and plans for business on party manifestos become clearer as the year progresses
• Continued level of churn in CFO appointments.

Our CFO Network East Midlands Annual Report 2024 will be released in January. Click here to register for an early copy.