Farhien Mughal (ACMA)
South West London,United Kingdom
Summary
As a board-level CFO and Group Finance Director, I bring experience in guiding organisations through transformational growth, turnaround and complex stakeholder environments, both in permanent and interim leadership roles. With extensive experience across technology, staffing, FMCG, retail, supply chain and private equity–backed businesses, I provide clarity, confidence and control to boards, investors and lenders, delivering value through cost optimisation, refinancing, governance, systems transformation and commercial finance leadership
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work history
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR
Clearway Group
UK
08.2025 - Current
- Appointed to provide finance leadership, governance and credibility to support complex, highly geared group through turnaround and refinancing.
- Successfully led fundraising process, raising capital from both investors and banking partners, supporting liquidity and business continuity.
- Took ownership of treasury management, cash forecasting and headroom for leveraged balance sheet, improving visibility and stakeholder confidence.
- Introduced group-wide financial governance and controls, implementing financial policies and completing walkthroughs across all subsidiaries.
- Delivered 2025 statutory accounts on time, strengthening controls, audit readiness and overall reporting quality.
- Driving banking transformation, including cash pooling structures and finance systems implementation to improve control and efficiency.
- Trusted partner to shareholders, lenders and executive leadership, providing clarity, accuracy and commercial insight.
Interim Chief Financial Officer
McGinleys
Watford, Hertfordshire
04.2025 - 08.2025
- Board-level CFO role with full ownership of financial strategy, performance and transformation.
- Active participant in Board meetings and monthly management reviews, working closely with directors to execute cost and operational strategy.
- Delivered material cost savings through headcount rationalisation and overhead reduction initiatives.
- Redesigned Board and management reporting, simplifying packs and significantly improving decision-making quality.
- Led finance systems transformation, migrating from NetSuite to Sage Intacct and building Power BI self-serve reporting cubes.
- Provided commercial support on strategic contracts, improving operational discipline and financial outcomes.
CFO
Indeed Flex
Farringdon, London
04.2020 - 08.2024
- Company Transformation from startup tech firm to medium-large size entity with scaling turnover from ~$15M - ~$300M budget, while being responsible for all facets of finance (transactional accounting, monthly reporting, governance, audit, tax, FP&A & business partner).
- Led financial strategy and commercial growth initiatives, expanding into US markets and diversifying into new sectors through organic growth and M&A.
- Transformed finance function, implementing scalable ERP systems and optimising accounting workflows, reducing manual processes by 50% and improving reporting accuracy.
- Established robust financial reporting frameworks, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Implemented comprehensive KPI reporting framework that improved financial transparency and decision-making.
- Partnered with multiple teams to develop adaptive financial models, enabling detailed scenario analysis and improving operational efficiencies.
- Successfully navigated board/investor reporting requirements, driving confidence through timely, accurate, and actionable financial insights.
- Oversaw tax & treasury function alongside Indeed parent company managing international stakeholders.
- Managed and motivated team of 80, fostering talent development and delivering high-performance finance & product team.
- Tech based recruitment company that was founded in 2015 and acquired by Indeed in 2019, company leverages technology to deliver end to end staffing solutions in 2 sided market place of clients and jobseekers.
Interim CFO/ Finance Director
Starbucks Coffee Company
Chiswick, London
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Led strategic transformation across EMEA region which encompassing over 30 countries, 6000+ stores & generating $1 Billion in Revenue supporting retail, B2B, supply chain & manufacturing within Starbucks
- Divested key subsidiaries, restructured functions, & relocated headquarters from Amsterdam to London while maintaining business continuity working closely across international stakeholders.
- Directed financial reporting and management, delivering accurate data to support strategic decision-making for senior executives and investor relations.
- Enhanced governance frameworks, implementing SOX-compliant processes and aligning with IFRS, US GAAP, and UK GAAP resulting in green audits.
- Improved accuracy and efficiencies in finance processes through system implementations and process improvements enabling 30% reduction in tasks.
- Managed senior team of 4 with oversight of 100 employees across 7 countries, driving operational excellence in FP&A, tax, statutory compliance, Capital investments and accounting.
- Large FMCG brand and boast of being largest coffeehouse chain globally
Finance Director- Supply Chain
Starbucks Coffee Company
Chiswick, London
04.2016 - 05.2018
- Integral member of Supply Chain & Finance leadership team, establishing financial frameworks and strategic support to drive supply chain initiatives across EMEA region, enhancing commercial value and operational efficiencies while improving profit margin.
- Developed financial frameworks to support supply chain initiatives, achieving commercial value and operational efficiencies.
- Led key projects to deliver margin and working capital improvements.
- Managed capital investment appraisals, delivering ROI-positive projects and securing funding for machinery and product development.
- Optimised vendor management processes, enhancing supplier relationships, reducing costs and naturally mitigating currency risks.
- Built Starbucks commodity index to support supply chain sourcing strategy and product development.
Financial Controller
Starbucks Coffee Company
Chiswick, London
05.2010 - 03.2016
- Oversaw accounting, governance and monthly reporting while also implementation of accounting policies and processes, ensuring robust financial governance and strict adherence to financial policies and SOX controls, in alignment with IFRS, US GAAP and UK GAAP while supporting commercial growth.
- Reporting on monthly, quarterly and annual results to board.
- Preparation of capital request forms for retail stores ensuring key metrics of IRR and ROCE were met.
- Directed dynamic team of 4 managers and 25 staff members to deliver accurate results, corporate tax strategy effectively.
- Partnering with global tax team, led corporate tax strategy for EMEA, achieving compliance and optimising tax efficiency.
- Directed statutory and corporate reporting under IFRS, US GAAP, and UK GAAP, ensuring robust financial governance and adherence to SOX controls.
- Implemented oracle financial systems, improving operational efficiency and reducing reporting errors.
- Developed robust financial processes, delivering business value and monthly reporting.
- Managed relationships with Bank and worked with treasury to manage FX hedging needs.
Group Financial Controller
Toyota Tsusho Automobile Holdings Ltd - Jemca
North London
05.2008 - 04.2010
- Hands on manager at Jemca, Key achievements were rewriting and implementing accounting policies and processes to improve accuracy and compliance.
- Responsible forming relationships with key investors, banks and stakeholder on business performance, cashflow & audit.
- A wholly owned subsidiary of The Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Japan and manages retail owned Toyota & Lexus dealerships within M25 with annual turnover more than £150m.
Finance Manager - Europe Retail & EMEA/CASA Distributors
Timberland European Services
Slough
01.2000 - 05.2008
- Managed all aspects of commercial finance to bolster business growth in European retail operations and EMEA/CASA distributor channels for Timberland.
- Developed growth strategies & entered new markets such as Russia & India.
- Delivered 50% Revenue growth while improving margin % and working capital.
- Subsidiary of Timberland Co. which manufactures, wholesales and retails predominantly footwear product as well as apparel and accessories.
Skills
- Transformational Leadership
- Board & Investor Engagement
- Turnaround & Cost Optimisation
- Treasury & Cash Management
- FP&A
- Finance Systems & Data (ERP / BI)
- Governance, Tax and Compliance
Languages
English
Punjabi
Urdu
Affiliations
- Actively support local community charities, contributing time and expertise to community initiatives. • Henna artist, undertaking commissioned and community-based work. • Enjoy spending quality time with family.
Timeline
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR
Clearway Group
08.2025 - Current
Interim Chief Financial Officer
McGinleys
04.2025 - 08.2025
CFO
Indeed Flex
04.2020 - 08.2024
Interim CFO/ Finance Director
Starbucks Coffee Company
05.2018 - 02.2020
Finance Director- Supply Chain
Starbucks Coffee Company
04.2016 - 05.2018
Financial Controller
Starbucks Coffee Company
05.2010 - 03.2016
Group Financial Controller
Toyota Tsusho Automobile Holdings Ltd - Jemca
05.2008 - 04.2010
Finance Manager - Europe Retail & EMEA/CASA Distributors
Timberland European Services
01.2000 - 05.2008