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Finance functions ready for
scale, funding, acquisition or exit

Connexive is a CFO-led finance partner for growth-focused UK SMEs. We combine experienced CFO leadership with hands-on finance operations: professionalising the function, building the models and preparing the business for scrutiny, before, during and after the events that define its value.

Scale
Funding
Acquisition
Exit
See if Connexive fits
Client Type Founder-led, family-owned & PE-backed SMEs
Growth or Value Stage Before, during or after growth, funding, acquisition, refinance or exit
Typical Size Revenue £2m–£35m · EBITDA to £5m
The Gap We Close

Most growing SMEs are not finance-ready when scrutiny arrives

The business is growing. The finance function has not kept pace. The team is working hard, but the information still does not give the CEO, board, lender or investor enough confidence.

That gap matters most under scrutiny: funding, acquisition, refinance, exit or post-deal integration. It is rarely the headline reason a deal stalls. It is often the real one.

Connexive closes that gap. We professionalise the finance function, build reliable models and reporting, and stand beside management before, during and after the event. The result is stronger decisions, more credible funding conversations and a more valuable business.

The signs are consistent
Management accounts run late
Forecasts don't link to cash
KPIs unclear or untracked
Systems don't talk to each other
Month-end takes weeks, not days
Diligence questions go unanswered
Who We Help

For SMEs where finance has become a constraint

Growth events
Rapid scalingNew sites, divisions or service linesFinance team restructureSystem implementationCash flow & working capital pressureBoard reporting upgradeKPI & management reporting improvement
Value events
Debt raiseEquity fundingAcquisitionBuy and buildRefinanceMBO or MBIExit preparation & post-deal integration
The Connexive Difference

Boardroom to bookkeeping

Many fractional CFOs advise at board level, but have limited reach into the finance operations producing the numbers.

Connexive is different. We work from the boardroom through to the bookkeeping, systems, controls and month-end discipline underneath. Where the foundation isn't fit for purpose, we don't just flag it. We have the capability to fix it.

That matters because strategic finance advice is only as good as the information it relies on.

The CFO leads. FinOps secures the financial foundation beneath.
01
Funder's perspective

Real SME debt and mezzanine funding experience. We understand what lenders and funders need to see before they trust the numbers, because we have sat on that side of the table.

02
Transaction experience at SME scale

M&A, LBO, AIM preparation and a sale to an NYSE-listed buyer, applied to businesses of £2m to £35m revenue. Deal-grade discipline, sized for the SME.

03
Bespoke modelling, not templates

Every model is built around the specific business, the decision and the audience, whether that is a lender, an investor or a buyer. Not a reused spreadsheet.

Our View

AI doesn’t fix bad data. It scales it.

Most of the conversation about AI in finance is about outputs: commentary written faster, questions answered instantly. That conversation skips the constraint.

An AI layer sitting on an unreliable ledger, disconnected systems and a manual month-end solves nothing. It industrialises the error, producing answers that are faster, more fluent, and harder to challenge because they look finished.

The work that makes AI worth having in an SME finance function is the work underneath it. Once source data is reliable, AI compresses the distance between an event and a decision. On unreliable data it does the same thing in the wrong direction, at speed.

The value of the output is set by the quality of the input. No tool has changed that.
01
Automation

Remove the manual handling that introduces error and consumes the finance team’s month. Every re-key is a place a number can go wrong and a reason the close runs late.

02
System integration

Make the systems agree. Where operations, revenue and the ledger hold different versions of the same event, no analysis downstream will reconcile them.

03
Process discipline

Define how a transaction is captured, coded, reviewed and reconciled, so the output is repeatable rather than dependent on who was on holiday.

What We Do

What we own and deliver

Connexive works at two levels. The CFO layer sets direction, builds the models and leads the transaction. The FinOps layer secures the data, systems and month-end discipline those outputs depend on. Most mandates need both.

CFO Layer Direction, modelling and transaction leadership
01
CFO Leadership

Experienced finance leadership alongside the CEO, owner and leadership team, on a fractional, project or scope basis: board reporting, commercial decisions, cash, funding and transaction preparation.

02
Financial Modelling

Bespoke integrated P&L, balance sheet and cash flow models for funding, acquisition, exit, debt capacity, scenario planning and rolling forecast management.

03
Finance Function Professionalisation

Fixing systems, processes, controls, month-end, accruals, deferred revenue, WIP and reporting discipline. We fix the engine, not just the outputs.

04
Transaction & Post-Deal Support

FDD preparation, data room support, lender and investor queries, working capital, KPI reporting, covenant monitoring and post-deal integration.

FinOps Layer The finance operations that make those outputs reliable
01
Accruals-based bookkeeping & month-end

A disciplined close on a fixed timetable, with revenue and cost in the right period.

02
Finance system & process optimisation

Transactions captured once, at source, reaching the ledger without re-keying.

03
Working capital management

Debtors, creditors and stock managed as a live cash position, not a balance.

04
Cash flow forecasting

Receipts and payments modelled to the detail a lender or a board will test.

05
Finance function automation

Manual steps taken out of the close, so the team reviews rather than keys.

Systems Expertise
Xero
QuickBooks
Arthur Online
Cin7
Advanced Excel
The CFO and FinOps Connection

Connexive FinOps is the delivery arm. It is led by Rahul, a Chartered Accountant (ICAI, ex-E&Y), and overseen by Clive. This is not bookkeeping in isolation, it is the operational foundation that lets the numbers reaching the board be ones you can stand behind.

The two layers run in both directions. Some mandates start with the CEO and reach down: Lawfront began as a fractional CFO mandate and evolved into FinOps data transformation. Others start in the ledger and build up: EveryCloud began with a FinOps rebuild of the accounting base, which then drove the forecast model. Whichever layer the business needs first is the layer we lead with.

More information Connexive FinOps →
Two ways we engage

Assess the finance function, close the gaps in process, controls, systems and data quality, and implement a fit-for-purpose operating model.

How We Work

How we get the finance function ready

Start
SME Finance Gap
1
Find the gap
Identify where finance is holding the business back: data, reporting, systems, forecasting, KPIs, team or transaction readiness
2
Fix the foundation
Put the engine right so the numbers are accurate, complete and timely. This is where Connexive FinOps supports the CFO work
3
Build the model & reporting rhythm
The forecast, KPIs, reporting cadence and commercial interpretation needed to run the business and support the next event
4
Stand up to scrutiny
Support the business when lenders, investors, buyers, boards or advisers start asking detailed questions
5
Run the reporting rhythm
For ongoing mandates: month-end close, management accounts, reconciliations and controls, managed as the business grows
Outcome
A more valuable business, with finance that holds up
Scrutiny-ready
Investor-grade reporting
Scalable finance function
CFO-led confidence
Partner With Connexive

The complete finance solution,
CFO-led, FinOps-delivered.

Most Connexive mandates come through advisers, PE, accountants, lenders and recruiters. When you refer us in, the relationship stays yours. We deliver an end-to-end finance function solution, scoped to the mandate, that improves the client's reporting, controls and cash visibility, and the credibility of your mandate with it.

Choose your relationship to Connexive

Numbers that survive diligence.

We take charge of the client's numbers before your team arrives: building the model, the databook and the reconciled trading narrative your diligence will test. Every query is answered first-hand by the CFO who built the file. No friction, no surprises, no late-stage rework.

  • FDD-ready databook & trading analysis
  • Quick resolution of scope queries
  • Single CFO point of contact through close
Our Partner Promise

We strengthen your client relationship. We don't replace it.

  • Clear scope. Defined lanes, documented at mandate start.
  • No poaching. Your adjacent services remain yours. Always.
  • Finder's recognition. Transparent, agreed commercials.
Meet the CFO
Clive Angel, Founder of Connexive
Clive Angel
CA(SA)  ·  30+ years CFO experience  ·  Founder & CFO Lead, Connexive
Specialism
Pre and post-transaction CFO leadership for UK SME growth, PE-backed and listed businesses
Sector coverage
Sector agnostic. Every mandate addresses the growth and data challenges SMEs share as they scale
Mandate size
£2m – £35m turnover, EBITDA to £5m
Deal experience
M&A, LBO, AIM prep, NYSE-listed buyer transactions
Typical engagement
Ongoing fractional CFO mandate, bespoke financial model build, scoped project deliverable, FinOps restructure
Finance function
Fit for purpose and built for scale

Clive works with SME CEOs, PE investors and corporate finance teams, delivering experienced financial leadership wherever the mandate needs it. Every engagement is built around one thing: measurable outcomes tied to EBITDA, cash and transaction readiness. The common thread across every Connexive mandate: an SME growth business, and a finance function that needs to professionalise, optimise and stand up to what comes next, whether that is a transaction or the demands of scale. The work is sector agnostic, because these are challenges all growing SMEs share.

Client Mandates

Where we add value

The same pattern throughout: CFO-led work built on cleaner data and better models. We work alongside K3 Advantage, TC Group, BKL and Knight Corporate Finance.

TC Group
Allied health buy and build: AIM listing preparation
2025 to present
35 practices · AIM-bound
35-practice roll-up AIM Listing – equity & debt raise Corporate advisor-ready forecast model
  • Rebuilt four founding entities from cash to accruals, including balance sheets, working capital and month-end from scratch.
  • Built the dynamic acquisition model overlaying 35 practices with timing, cost and performance assumptions to underpin FDD and investor presentations.
  • Delivered the consolidated group forecast ready for reporting accountants and the AIM listing process.
WASP Power and Filtration
Clean-tech manufacturing: capital restructure and US equity sale
2023 to 2025
NYSE-listed acquirer
60% cost reduction Close: 15 → 8 days NYSE exit
  • Cut accounting overheads by over 60% and accelerated month-end close from 15 to 8 days across three entities.
  • Built the integrated three-entity forecast to support the UK debt restructure.
  • Managed pre and post-closing diligence for the successful sale of the US subsidiary to an NYSE-listed acquirer.
K3 Advantage
PE and debt transaction modelling for multi-sector SMEs
2025 to present
Revenue up to £50m
Build transaction ready forecast models Post deal funder financial analysis & reporting and CEO fractional CFO support
  • Ongoing mandate delivering investor-ready models with clear funding capacity and debt serviceability analysis across multiple sectors.
  • Embedded commercial drivers and scenario analysis to withstand funder and FDD scrutiny.
Managed IT Commercial property Property lettings Hospitality & travel
EveryCloud AI & Data Security
Cyber security managed services: deferred revenue rebuild and transaction ready forecast
2026 to present
ARR £5.5m+
FinOps first, CFO second Cash to accruals restructure Deferred revenue methodology Five-year transaction ready forecast model
  • FinOps rebuilt the accounting base: cash to accruals, a full deferred revenue schedule and the balance sheet liability behind it.
  • That accrual base then drove the dynamic five-year forecast model, built to support the executive team’s strategy and a future transaction event.
Lawfront
PE-backed legal buy and build: finance professionalisation, then FinOps data transformation
2023 to present
Revenue c. £15m
CFO first, FinOps second PE-standard reporting WIP valuation methodology Group data transformation
  • Engaged as fractional CFO to professionalise finance for the group’s first acquisition: PE-standard reporting, WIP valuation methodology and historical VAT resolved.
  • Re-engaged 18 months later on FinOps data transformation, cleansing and mapping entity data across the group investment portfolio.
Gilbert’s
Meat processing: manual stock and a broken ledger rebuilt as an integrated Cin7 and Xero finance function
2025
Revenue c. £8.5m
As-is to to-be finance function Cin7 to Xero data integration Stock accuracy to gross margin Reporting lag from 6 months
  • Management accounts and KPIs were trailing by more than six months. Stock ran on manual Excel with no integration to a Sage ledger that had stopped doing its job. In food processing that runs straight to margin: if the stock position is an estimate, so are yield, wastage and margin by product line.
  • Connexive reviewed and documented the as-is finance function, designed the to-be, and defined the Cin7 to Xero data integration. A Cin7 implementation specialist then configured the system against that specification.
  • Stock and accounting fully automated and synced, manual re-keying removed, and stock movements captured at source flowing into the financial accounts.
General Dental Smiles
Debt-funded buy and build: multisite dental group
2021 to 2022
1 → 10 practices
£2m debt raised 10 practices 50+ clinicians
  • Built and raised a five-year cash flow model securing £2m term bank debt.
  • Designed the scalable group finance function and covenant reporting framework from the ground up.
  • Built a benchmarking tool tracking net contribution per practice and dentist across 50-plus clinicians.
Client & Adviser Endorsements

What clients and advisers say

“

I recently had the pleasure of working with Clive when in his role as interim CFO at WASP. He produced some fantastic financial models, some of which were very complex. He was incredibly professional in dealing with queries and has a superb communication style that enabled him to provide a large amount of detail and understanding for the users of the models. I have no hesitation in recommending Clive.

George Clayson
Director, Business Advisory & Corporate Finance Group, TC Knill James
“

Can not recommend Clive highly enough. His communication skills and attention to detail have been superb and his understanding of the numbers and the business really give me visibility of historic and forecasted trading. His support through the process of building the forecast model to support our PE transaction was impeccable and he has a real hunger to ensure everything is perfect.

Dean Houghton
Managing Director, Harris Evolution
“

Clive has been an excellent finance leader supporting our business group across the UK and USA. He diligently executed a UK restructuring and led the due diligence process in selling our USA subsidiary to an NYSE-listed buyer. We highly recommend his services.

Henry O'Lone
Business Leader, critical power-focused business, UK, USA & EU
“

Clive grasped working in a new sector very quickly and was able to deal with multiple issues for us in parallel. He helped us successfully resolve a historic VAT issue with HMRC and get to grips with some complicated WIP valuation workings. A self-starter and great hands-on problem solver.

Nigel Osborne
Chief Financial Officer, Lawfront Group
“

I recently had the pleasure of working with Clive when in his role as interim CFO at WASP. He produced some fantastic financial models, some of which were very complex. He was incredibly professional in dealing with queries and has a superb communication style that enabled him to provide a large amount of detail and understanding for the users of the models. I have no hesitation in recommending Clive.

George Clayson
Director, Business Advisory & Corporate Finance Group, TC Knill James
“

Can not recommend Clive highly enough. His communication skills and attention to detail have been superb and his understanding of the numbers and the business really give me visibility of historic and forecasted trading. His support through the process of building the forecast model to support our PE transaction was impeccable and he has a real hunger to ensure everything is perfect.

Dean Houghton
Managing Director, Harris Evolution
“

Clive has been an excellent finance leader supporting our business group across the UK and USA. He diligently executed a UK restructuring and led the due diligence process in selling our USA subsidiary to an NYSE-listed buyer. We highly recommend his services.

Henry O'Lone
Business Leader, critical power-focused business, UK, USA & EU
“

Clive grasped working in a new sector very quickly and was able to deal with multiple issues for us in parallel. He helped us successfully resolve a historic VAT issue with HMRC and get to grips with some complicated WIP valuation workings. A self-starter and great hands-on problem solver.

Nigel Osborne
Chief Financial Officer, Lawfront Group
Our Clients
TC Group
K3 Advantage
Lawfront
Wasp IPU
Horsham Smiles Dental
Gilbert's Kosher Foods
Harris Evolution
Regent Property
Iglu Tech Group
Prime Cut UK
Aleph Commodities
EveryCloud
Effective Media
Treetop Biopak
Rosenthal Consulting
Get in Touch

Make the finance function ready for serious scrutiny

Pre-transaction, post-deal or simply overdue. Whether you are a CEO, founder, adviser, lender, investor or recruiter, we'd welcome a practical conversation.

LinkedInClive Angel
Emailclive@connexive.uk
CFOwww.connexive.uk
FinOpswww.connexivefinops.uk