The Company

Founded in 2012 as a spin-off from Edinburgh Napier University, Celtic Renewables is seeking to become the world leader in biobased solvent production via commercialisation of the Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) fermentation process.  Widely recognised as one of the most innovative new sustainable cleantech companies in the UK, Celtic Renewables is the world’s first company to utilise the waste products produced by the Scotch Whisky industry to manufacture Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol for use in industrial manufacturing and research activities in addition to biobutanol as a sustainable fuel source.

A leading player in the development of Scotland’s low carbon green bioeconomy, Celtic Renewables has secured over £20m in funding as the first stage in bringing its vision to reality.  Establishing Celtic Renewables Grangemouth plc in 2018, the company plans to complete construction of its first plant at Caledon Green, Grangemouth which, when operational in mid-2021, is expected to process up to 50,000 tonnes of residues annually from the Whisky industry.

The Caledon Green plant will act as the business’s flagship demonstration facility and the launching point for the commercialisation of its process technology across the world.  Celtic Renewables has ambitious growth plans with the intention to construct a further three or four plants in the UK and Ireland in the next five years to make continued use of Whisky industry by-products.

With the Caledon Green plant close to construction completion and moving into operations and with fund raising for working capital to develop new opportunities nearly complete, Celtic Renewables are looking for a suitable qualified Financial Controller to establish and manage financial processes and controls for the expanding requirements of the group.

The Opportunity

The Financial Controller is an integral part of the CRL team in Edinburgh and a direct support to the CFO, Claire Treacy. As the business continues to grow and diversify so too does the need to continuously improve and have robust and effective management reporting, systems and processes in place to run efficiently and effectively.

This is a unique position with a company at the early stages of international growth with a significant market available to them for future development. Whilst nobody would claim the ‘hard yards’ are over, there is considerably increased security around the business now which makes it a far more appealing time to join the team. The business will provide the mandate to shape and define how the finance function evolves. Over time this role will develop and grow and therefore it is key that applicants are flexible and adaptable to those changes.

The Individual

The Financial Controller position requires a professionally qualified accountant who possesses excellent technical accounting skills, strong systems knowledge and previous management experience. It is likely that the individual has trained in a professional services firm, but has also operated within commercial organisations, ideally in a small/medium, high growth business environment.

It is critical that the Financial Controller can effectively support the CFO, while consistently meeting the needs of key stakeholders both within and external to the business.

A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:

• High calibre graduate with a good track record of academic achievement
• Fully qualified accountant with appropriate post-qualification experience, preferably with a minimum of 5 years PQE and experience working in a similar role and environment
• Excellent technical knowledge of statutory accounting, taxation and compliance
• Experience of implementing robust financial controls, processes and procedures
• Strong commercial understanding
• Ability to develop high quality management information to support decision making
• Excellent management and development skills, including knowledge of structuring remuneration schemes across complex groups
• Knowledge of financial modelling would be advantageous
• System implementation and development experience is desirable
• Good IT skills, especially in relation to Microsoft applications and Excel
• Self-starter, willing to be involved in the detail, whilst having sufficient gravitas to support and challenge key stakeholders as required
• Confident communicator at every level, with strong inter-personal and influencing skills
• Self-motivated, organised and capable of developing in the current role
• Committed individual, displaying drive, ambition, and professionalism

What to do Next

To find out more or see a full Position Profile, please contact the retained advisor, Georgina Millyard at Rutherford Cross, by emailing [email protected]

There will be a competitive basic salary, pension and a bonus structure. Further details of this are available on application.

Please note that any direct or third party approaches will be sent to Rutherford Cross for review and assessment.