The finance leadership market across Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire is changing rapidly.
With continued growth across technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, professional services and private equity-backed businesses, demand for experienced Finance Directors, CFOs and FP&A leaders remains strong. But the profile of the finance leader organisations need is evolving too.
Finance leadership is becoming more commercial
Technical finance expertise remains fundamental, but today's senior finance leaders are increasingly expected to operate as strategic business partners — working alongside CEOs, investors and leadership teams to support growth, transformation and value creation.
Commercial judgement, data-led decision-making, stakeholder influence and the ability to lead change are becoming just as important as traditional financial control and governance.
For businesses across the Southern Home Counties, this is particularly relevant. Organisations are navigating growth alongside increasing operational complexity, systems modernisation and investor expectations — creating demand for finance leaders who can connect financial performance with wider business strategy.
Transformation and technology are reshaping the function
Finance transformation is now firmly embedded within the senior finance agenda.
ERP implementation, automation, improved data visibility, AI-enabled reporting and more sophisticated forecasting are changing how finance teams operate. As a result, businesses are increasingly looking for leaders who can bridge finance, technology and operational delivery — with transformation experience becoming a genuine differentiator in the hiring market.
FP&A moves from reporting to strategic growth
One of the clearest trends highlighted in the report is the changing role of FP&A.
Businesses are moving away from static annual budgeting towards more continuous planning, scenario modelling and real-time forecasting. Strong FP&A teams are increasingly expected to provide commercial insight, understand operational drivers and communicate data effectively — rather than simply produce reports.
Yet many mid-market businesses continue to operate with relatively lean FP&A teams, creating significant pressure around capacity, data quality, systems and recruitment.
A competitive market for senior finance talent
Demand remains particularly strong for finance professionals with a combination of commercial, transformation and leadership experience. This is contributing to continued salary pressure, with the report highlighting significant demand across technology and SaaS, life sciences, PE-backed businesses, advanced manufacturing, engineering, defence and aerospace.
However, salary is no longer the only factor influencing candidate decisions. Flexible working, reduced commuting, strategic exposure and long-term career scope are increasingly important when senior candidates assess opportunities.
For employers, the challenge is therefore becoming broader: how do you attract and retain finance leaders who can not only manage today's financial requirements, but also help shape tomorrow's growth?
What does this mean for employers?
The Southern Home Counties is now a highly competitive finance leadership market in its own right. Businesses looking to secure the strongest talent will need to think beyond technical capability and consider the wider leadership, transformation and commercial skills their organisation will require.
The full SRM Insights: Southern Home Counties Finance Leadership Market 2026 report explores these trends in greater depth, including salary benchmarks, sector-specific demand, the changing CFO and FP&A landscape, and the key talent challenges facing employers across Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.
Download the full whitepaper to explore the 2026 market in detail.