Leon Restaurants Finance Director

The Finance Director (FD) role at LEON Restaurants, a UK-based fast-casual chain known for its "naturally fast food" ethos, is a multifaceted position crucial for maintaining financial health and driving strategic growth. The FD is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO and responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company's financial operations.

Core responsibilities of the LEON FD would encompass financial planning and analysis (FP&A). This involves creating detailed financial models, forecasting future performance, and analyzing variances between actual results and projections. This understanding of the numbers is used to advise operational decisions, such as menu pricing, store expansion, and marketing strategies. The FD plays a vital role in budgeting, ensuring resources are allocated effectively across various departments and projects, and monitors performance against budget throughout the year.

Controlling financial risk is another significant area of focus. The FD is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations. This includes overseeing the audit process, managing relationships with external auditors, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. They are expected to identify and mitigate financial risks associated with business operations, such as fluctuations in commodity prices, changes in consumer spending, or geopolitical instability. The FD may also be involved in managing the company's insurance coverage and implementing risk management strategies.

Managing the finance team and ensuring its effectiveness is paramount. The FD must attract, retain, and develop a high-performing team of finance professionals. This includes providing mentorship, setting clear performance expectations, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The FD will likely oversee various finance functions, including accounting, treasury, tax, and procurement, ensuring smooth and efficient operations across these departments.

Given LEON's focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing, the FD may also be involved in analyzing the financial implications of these initiatives. This could involve evaluating the cost-effectiveness of sustainable packaging options, assessing the financial impact of fair trade sourcing practices, and tracking the company's environmental performance. This aspect of the role is increasingly important for companies like LEON that prioritize corporate social responsibility.

Finally, a key element of the FD's responsibilities often involves actively participating in strategic decision-making, including potential mergers, acquisitions, or investments. LEON Restaurants, like other fast-growing brands, will need an FD to support these strategies by ensuring the financial viability of these options, negotiating terms, and managing the financial due diligence process. After the acquisition by EG Group, the finance leadership would be critical in integrating LEON's financial operations into the larger corporate structure and realizing synergies. They'd also likely contribute to decisions about further expansion and development of the LEON brand.