We provide portfolio CFO and turnaround support to improve financial performance, strengthen cash flow and build sustainable growth—helping businesses maximise their value, whether through continued growth or a successful exit.
Senior financial leadership delivered on a flexible basis, tailored to your business stage and goals.
We specialise in helping businesses turn around performance, restoring profitability, strengthening cash flow and improving financial control and discipline.
Ongoing senior financial leadership without the commitment of a full-time CFO.
Improving finance functions, reporting structures, systems and controls.
Building reliable financial plans that help leadership teams make confident decisions.
Financial support through business exits, acquisitions, integration and restructuring.
We specialise in business turnarounds, improving profitability, cash flow and financial discipline. Our approach draws on the experience of our lead CFO, Susan Robson, whose career spans more than 20 years of financial leadership. We combine strategic advice with practical support to help businesses regain stability and move forward.
Our work is informed by Susan Robson's experience leading finance in start-ups, growing businesses and established organisations across multiple sectors.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification, combining financial rigour with commercial and strategic acumen.
SaaS, tech/biotech, media software, electronics, e-commerce, retail, marketplace and professional services.
Recommendations from those who have worked directly with Susan across leadership, finance transformation and M&A.
I highly recommend Susan; she was a great asset to the business and will make a highly positive contribution within your business. Susan's key skills and competencies are: providing direction and leadership to the finance team; knowledge of balance sheets, profit measurement and cash flow statements; carrying out business investment appraisal, trend analysis and financial modelling to help respond to dynamic market conditions, ensuring compliance and statutory reporting. She is able to provide a high standard of financial control with proven ability to manage and develop a financial team, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.
Susan led finance and control at Kayako, joining at a pivotal time in our road to scale, which eventually led to our successful acquisition by a multi-billion dollar private equity fund. She provided strong financial leadership when it needed it the most: restructuring the company globally, rolling out an international employee equity programme, developing pricing and go-to-market strategies with the founders, and running a smooth and successful acquisition process. Susan has an almost limitless capacity for diligence and hard work, never being afraid to get her hands dirty. We were always confident in our ability to execute knowing the financial plumbing, controls and strategy were always taken care of. I would love to have the opportunity to work with Susan again.
Susan is an extremely skilled and experienced accountant. Having experienced working in a very close-knit team led by Susan, she allows for autonomous working but is always willing and available to give necessary support and guidance. Susan delegates tasks and responsibilities where possible to support the development of others and is always clear and concise with plans of action. It was a pleasure working with Susan; she will be a valuable addition to any company she works for and any team she works within.
Susan is a well organised accountant with great technical ability and superb people management skills. I really enjoyed working with her.
Tangible improvements in financial performance, visibility and decision-making across your organisation.
Improve financial visibility across the business
Strengthen reporting, controls and governance
Build reliable forecasting and planning processes
Support growth, investment and strategic decisions
Transform underperforming finance functions and teams
Navigate change with experienced financial leadership
Illuminate Accounting provides flexible portfolio CFO and turnaround services for businesses that need experienced financial leadership. We work alongside founders and leadership teams to improve performance, manage cash and make informed commercial decisions.
Our work is led by Susan Robson, a CIMA-qualified CFO with over 20 years' experience. Her career includes building finance functions from the ground up, developing finance leaders, securing funding and guiding businesses through restructuring and successful exits.
We also bring experience in commercial pricing, international expansion and turning long-term strategy into practical plans. Susan's previous roles include developing SaaS and product pricing, establishing a US subsidiary and implementing the EOS business planning framework. That experience informs how we help clients connect financial decisions with their wider business goals.
Whether your business is preparing for growth, improving financial performance or navigating change, experienced Portfolio CFO support can provide the clarity and structure needed to move forward.
Book a ConsultationTell us where your business is today and what you want to achieve. We can discuss the financial leadership and practical support you need.