Strengthening Finance team for PE-Backed IT Services Leader Kerv

Client Overview

Kerv is a PE-backed IT services company founded in 2021, delivering innovative unified communications and cloud solutions to a diverse client base. In just a few years, the business has achieved exceptional growth through a mix of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, quickly establishing itself as a major player in the UK technology services market.

Challenge

With the pace of expansion accelerating, the finance team faced unsustainable workloads and increasing pressure to meet reporting deadlines, manage integration projects from recent acquisitions, and maintain financial control.

The CFO identified the need for a high-calibre Management Accountant with sector-specific experience in unified communications. The role required someone capable of:

• Managing day-to-day financial operations with precision
• Supporting integration of newly acquired entities
• Delivering accurate and timely management reporting
• Bringing commercial insight to support decision-making

Our Approach

Talentedge was engaged on an exclusive basis due to our proven expertise in finance recruitment for PE-backed and fast-growth technology businesses. Our approach included:

• ‍Stakeholder Engagement – We met with Kerv’s CFO, Finance Director, and HR team to fully understand:
  • Immediate capacity challenges
  • Longer-term finance team structure plans
  • Cultural values and leadership expectations‍
• Market Mapping – Leveraging our specialist candidate database and extensive network within the unified communications and IT services sectors, we identified a longlist of potential candidates from both direct competitors and adjacent markets.‍
• Targeted Outreach – We launched a discreet headhunting campaign, approaching candidates with the specific blend of technical skills, sector knowledge, and cultural fit Kerv required.‍
• Candidate Assessment – Every candidate was pre-screened for:
  • Relevant sector and technical experience
  • Proven ability to thrive in PE-backed, high-growth environments
  • Alignment with Kerv’s collaborative and fast-paced culture

Outcome

• Shortlist Delivery: Within days, we presented a shortlist of four candidates, each with relevant industry experience.
• Efficient Process: Three progressed quickly through Kerv’s three-stage interview process.
• Successful Hire: The selected candidate brought extensive management accounting expertise in unified communications, with a track record of supporting business integration and delivering process improvements.
• Smooth Transition: We supported both the offboarding from the candidate’s previous employer and the onboarding into Kerv, ensuring minimal disruption.

From initial brief to offer acceptance, the recruitment process was completed within three weeks, delivering a hire who made an immediate positive impact on the finance function.

Impact

This appointment provided Kerv with:

• Immediate capacity relief in the finance team
• Improved reporting accuracy and timeliness
• Strengthened financial oversight during a period of rapid growth and acquisitions
• A trusted finance partner aligned with both operational demands and strategic objectives

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