Interim Head of Finance

About us

Bill Plant Driving School is one of the UK's largest and most recognised driving school networks — three\-time National Driving School of the Year and a national franchise operation with a substantial presence across the UK. We're a tight, high\-performing team based at our head office in Ripon, North Yorkshire, and we take real pride in how we run our business.

We're looking for an experienced Head of Finance to cover a maternity leave period of 12–15 months. This is a broad, genuinely senior role — not a pure finance seat, but a business\-critical position that also spans HR, debt recovery, and franchise contract compliance.

What You'll Be Doing

Finance \& Reporting

• Preparing monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and board\-level financial reporting


• Maintaining financial controls, policies, and processes across the business


• Managing AP/AR, payroll (Sage Intacct), and external accountant/auditor relationships


• Producing KPI dashboards, bad debt reports, and ad hoc commercial analysis

• Leading the full collections process — from initial chase through to CCJ applications and enforcement where needed


• Drafting formal demand correspondence and liaising with solicitors and enforcement agents


• Exercising sound commercial judgement on settlements and write\-offs

• Acting as the HR lead for the business — end\-to\-end employee lifecycle, policy compliance, and people operations


• Managing disciplinary, grievance, and welfare cases with appropriate care and confidentiality


• Administering HR systems (Charlie HR) and keeping employee records accurate

• Overseeing compliance with franchise agreements and managing escalated franchisee disputes


• Applying knowledge of franchise law, DVSA regulations, and contract terms to protect the business


• Liaising with legal advisors on complex or litigious cases

• Line managing a small finance and admin team, driving performance, and ensuring strong business continuity through handover documentation

• Proven experience in a senior finance role — ideally as a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or Head of Finance


• Comfortable working across multiple disciplines: finance is the core, but HR and compliance exposure matters here


• Experience with Sage Intacct or similar accounting software


• Strong communicator who can present financial information clearly to non\-finance directors


• Experience handling debt recovery, including formal legal proceedings — desirable but not essential


• CIMA, ACCA, or ACA qualified (or qualified by experience)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays


• Company pension scheme


• Free on\-site parking at our Ripon head office


• Bill Plants benefits package


• A broad, autonomous brief with genuine senior leadership visibility from day one


• Three\-time award\-winning national brand with a strong team culture

Pay: £50,000\.00\-£55,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events


• Company pension


• Cycle to work scheme


• Free parking


• Health \& wellbeing programme


• On\-site parking


• Sick pay

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