Head Financial Controller

About the role

The Head Financial Controller will lead the PIDG’s global financial controls team, with responsibility for group accounting policies, consolidations, and oversight of general accounting/tax affairs.

This role is responsible for the direct management of in-house finance activities for the group’s Holding Companies (HoldCo’s), Management Service Companies (ServiceCo’s) and InfraCo investment entities (InfraCo’s) as well as review of deliverables from EAAIF and GuarantCo’s outsourced arrangements to ensure consistency and quality across the PIDG Group.

Working closely with finance colleagues and the PIDG Risk team, this role will determine and implement comprehensive group accounting treatments. This includes assessing the valuation of early-stage infrastructure investments following IPEV standards and the valuation of unlisted loans and debt guarantees in accordance with IFRS 9.

As a senior leader, the Head Financial Controller will act as an ambassador of PIDG and the global finance team, displaying and demonstrating the highest ethical and moral standards, while effectively and accurately controlling and reporting the Group’s finances.

Role and responsibilities

Accounting leadership and oversight

• Lead the financial controls team (14 staff and two consultants) with responsibility for resourcing, performance management and staff development.
• Attend quarterly Audit Committee meetings; presenting group results and updates as well as providing support to Financial Controllers reporting results of each business solution.
• Assume position as a voting member of the PIDG Valuations Committee providing objective challenge to proposed valuation of investments determined by the Portfolio Finance team.
• Collaborate with the Head of Projects and Investment Finance to evaluate investment valuations in accordance with Internation Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IPEV Guidelines.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis and wider FP&A team to provide timely financial analysis and reporting to support requests from the CFO, CEO, Board, and Owners.
• Take charge of the group’s international relationship with the external auditors, fostering effective communication and cooperation.
• In collaboration Group Legal and Corporate Secretariat, have oversight of the PIDG Group’s legal entity and business structure, advising or leading on any changes proposed with focus on preservation of investment entity exemption status and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Point of contact for technical accounting matters and financial operations across the PIDG Group, liaising with HR, Operations, Risk, and Internal Audit functions as required

Financial reporting

• Lead the accurate and timely preparation of the consolidated financial statements of The Private Infrastructure Development Group Holding Company Ltd, overseeing the Annual Review’s financial aspects.
• Oversee and review the preparation of financial statements for individual companies within the group in accordance with IFRS, IPEV Guidelines, and local requirements.
• Provide essential support for the preparation of the financial statements of the Group’s ultimate controlling party, PIDG Trust.
• Accountable for the development, implementation and review of accounting policies for the group to ensure consistency across the PIDG Group and compliance with IFRS.
• Responsible for implementing new accounting standards and providing technical accounting support across the group.
• Contribute to and review financial results and commentary within the PIDG Group’s internal reporting including quarterly business reviews, audit committee papers, and CFO reports

Regulatory reporting

• Ensure full tax compliance across the group, with direct responsibility for PIDG’s tax affairs and associated policies, development and application of group-wide transfer pricing methodology.
• Collaborate with the Company Secretary on narrative and reporting requirements in statutory accounts, and with the Impact team to deliver climate and sustainability disclosures (including IFRS S1/S2 and TNFD)

Group financial controls

• Assume management of day-to-day financial operations of ServiceCo and InfraCo entities, providing support to business unit Financial Controllers and entity Finance Managers as required.
• Ownership of the PIDG Group’s Delegated Authority Matrix (DAM) and ongoing compliance within the procurement and operating policies.
• Monitor effective intra-group recharge processes in accordance with transfer pricing regulations to ensure suitable liquidity across the ServiceCo Group.
• Bank signatory and approver of transactions across PIDG Group entities. Responsible for ensuring suitable banking controls in place across the Group.
• Approve monthly payroll across UK, Singaporean, Kenyan, and Moroccan ServiceCo’s exceeding 150 staff, addressing variances and employment tax matters with Payroll Manager and HR as required.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure the adequate insurance coverage for PIDG and InfraCo entities, including periodic reviews of insurance policies to ensure appropriateness.

Optimisation of accounting operations

• Monitor and approve change requests within the accounting system and monitor/review of changes on a regular basis alongside the Financial Systems Manager.
• Oversee accounting system changes and optimization in collaboration with the Financial Systems Manager and outsourced consultants.
• Drive the long-term adoption of complimentary solutions to enhance processing efficiencies through integration with the accounting system – particularly relating to Procure to Pay (P2P) and Records to Report (R2R) processes.
• Drive process standardisation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and control through implementation of a group-wide financial management and control framework, ensuring robust operating policies, procedures, and delegations of authority are implemented and effective

Qualifications and education requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business (essential).
• Qualified accountant or equivalent professional certification (e.g. CPA, CMA, CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred.

Skills

Advanced IFRS knowledge and experience with:

• Multi-currency group consolidations and investment entity exemption under IFRS 10.
• Investment valuations in accordance with IPEV Guidelines.
• Fair value of financial instruments under IFRS 9.
• Sustainability reporting under IFRS S1/S2.
• Strong knowledge of international tax laws, transfer pricing regulations and arrangements, and payroll requirements across relevant PIDG jurisdictions (UK, Singapore, Kenya, Morocco, and Mauritius).
• Ability to build credibility with multi-disciplinary teams, Boards, Audit Committees, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Strong financial planning, modelling, and data analysis skills; ability to identify risks, drive cost efficiency, and support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and change management skills.
• Ability to thrive under pressure, balancing multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy, control, and professionalism

Experience

• 10+ years of post-qualification experience in finance and accounting leadership.
• Proven track record as a Head/Senior Financial Controller (or equivalent senior finance leadership role), ideally within an international financial organisation.
• Experience of design, operation, and optimisation of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, SAP Analytics Cloud, and SAP Concur systems strongly desired.
• Strong exposure to long-term financial planning, modelling, budgeting, and group-wide reporting.
• Proven experience in financial transformation of controls, operational processes (including P2P and R2R) and implementation of automation/machine learning/artificial intelligence in complex, international organisations.
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage finance teams across multiple countries and time zones.
• Familiarity with private equity structures, jurisdictional set-ups, and working with government departments.
• First-hand exposure to emerging markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and South/South-East Asia.
• Strong appreciation and passion for PIDG with a strong work ethic.

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