Chris Willford, portfolio FD at the FD Centre in the Thames Valley

“Portfolio working allows me to keep close to the business I founded, whilst supporting other entrepreneurs and doing the things I love.”

Chris Willford joined the FD Centre back in 2016 after over 30 years working in FTSE 100 companies and the creation of a successful software business.

Having worked his way up to FTSE board level in two different industry sectors,

Chris Sparkes, Portfolio FD at the FD Centre in the West Country

“I was considering non-exec roles when I came across the FD Centre, which fitted perfectly with my FD experience.”

At the beginning of 2018, after a career in corporate and seven years working away from home, Chris started to search for a role that would allow him to redress the work/life balance we all strive for.

James Christian, Portfolio FD at the FD Centre in Yorkshire & Humberside

“I really enjoy helping business owners understand the value of the numbers, and life as a portfolio FD allows me to do just that.”

After 15 years working in the same company in a variety of roles including FD and Chief Operating Officer James craved an alternative lifestyle with more flexibility and the opportunity to work on more varied projects.

Steve Johnson, portfolio FD at The FD Centre in the Northern Home Counties 

Steve Johnson was an FD in the automotive and recruitment industries but always had the urge to be more entrepreneurial. He’d had enough of working for a corporate as he felt it was all he was thinking about 24/7.

“I was brought up around people who ran their own businesses so I thrive in that space.

Michael Citroen, portfolio FD at the FD Centre in the Thames Valley

Michael Citroen is 59 years old and a 14-year veteran of the part-time portfolio job world. The former Group Finance Director of a large privately-owned company relishes the challenge and excitement of working with SMEs in his role as a part-time FD.

“The FD Centre is very focused on helping its part-time FDs to win new clients”,

Kate Wright, portfolio FD at the FD Centre

Kate Wright, previously worked as Head of Finance and Operations for a NASDAQ-listed company, but moved to a more flexible role as a portfolio FD, later-on joining the FD Centre, the largest provider of part-time FDs in the UK.

She was wanted to leave the corporate world, to work with Entrepreneurs and was willing to take a pay cut to do so. 

Caroline Dodds, portfolio FD at the FD Centre

Caroline Dodds, used to work with FTSE-listed companies but threw in the towel to work with Scale-Up businesses for the FD Centre, the largest provider of part-time FDs in the UK.

Being in control of her time is one of the best things about being a part-time FD for Caroline.  It gives her the flexibility to strive for the illusive work-life balance we all crave.

Steve Wilden, portfolio FD at the FD Centre in the Thames Valley

Steve Wilden has been with the FD Centre for 8 years. After a successful and eventful FD career with many tales to tell, Steve had amassed a considerable range of experience across many industries.

While his time in the Corporate world was extremely fulfilling, the pressure started to take its toll. Steve made the decision to move to portfolio working in the hope it would provide the change of lifestyle needed.