Go Beyond Corporate: Gain Exit Deal Experience with vfdnet Mentoring

You might already be an FD on paper — leading a finance team, reporting to the board, managing cash, driving strategy. But here’s the truth: what SME business owners really need from a portfolio FD is something very specific — experience in preparing for and delivering a business sale.

That could be a trade sale, a management buyout (MBO), an employee ownership trust (EOT), or a blend of the two. Whichever the route, what matters is this: the business owner wants someone who’s been through it — who can guide them with confidence, because they’ve done it before.

At vfdnet, we make that experience part of your journey. You don’t have to wait for your own deal to come along. You can shadow me on real business sales, gaining paid experience and mentoring, so that when the time comes, you’ll be ready to lead your own.

Let’s Tell You About Conrad Nevers, vfdnet FC

Conrad (pictured) has been a vfdnet FC for nearly two years now. Earlier this year, he joined a £10m turnover business as a vfdnet FC, initially focused on reporting and cash flow.

As the business started to prepare for sale, he stepped up — financial due diligence, electronic data room, the role grew.

Then a private equity buyer came forward, and he wanted to see it through but didn’t have deal experience. That’s when I offered Conrad the opportunity to shadow me through through the full valuation process of another deal — the toughest kind, full of rigour and detail. When the PE offer didn’t land, we explored an EOT, then pivoted to a potential MBO. Different models, different challenges. Each one is a rich learning experience.

In the end, the owner stepped away from the MD role and a new MD was hired. And today? Conrad is preparing the business sale by my side. He’s benefited from having experienced different business sale options at each stage for this business. And once he’s completed his own business sale he will be ready to stand as a vfdnet FD — because he’s earned his FD stripes! Gained through real and guided experience.

Sound of interest to you? Book a chat with James Shand to discuss your situation.

This is how we do things differently

We’re not just a network — we’re a community. We meet quarterly. We mentor. We support each other. We work together. And through shadowing, we can help you grow into the kind of FD an SME business owner needs.

Whether you’re considering a better work/life balance, nearing retirement, or simply want to take your skills into a more flexible and fulfilling setting — this is the bridge between where you are now, and where you want to be.

Are you an vfdnet FD in the making? Book a call with James.

Let’s talk through where you are now and how shadowing deals can take you where you want to go, as a solid financial leader to business owners as an vfdnet FD.

You don’t have to wait for the perfect deal or go it alone. With the right support and the chance to shadow live transactions, you can gain the confidence and experience SME business owners look for in their FD. Let’s start to explore in a 30-minute call.

Take the next step that takes you from where you are now, to where you really want to be in your fractional finance FD career and take advantage of mentoring from vfdnet.