How to Succeed in Your First Finance Leadership

Economic Outlook Roundtable: What Yorkshire’s Finance Leaders Are Saying About Growth, Hiring and the Road Ahead

Senior finance professionals from across Yorkshire recently joined Sharp Consultancy for an exclusive roundtable discussion featuring an economic update from Paul Mount, Economist and Deputy Agent at the Bank of England. The session provided a timely, in-depth look at the UK’s economic landscape — followed by a candid conversation about what businesses are experiencing on the ground.The picture that emerged was one of cautious realism. While official forecasts point to easing inflation and a gradual return to stability, many organisations across the region continue to navigate weak demand, rising labour costs, tightening legislation and stalled investment projects. Yet despite these pressures, there remains a strong sense of resilience and adaptability — qualities that have long defined the Yorkshire business community. At Sharp Consultancy, our specialist finance and accountancy teams speak daily to employers and professionals across commerce, industry, public practice and the not-for-profit sector. What we heard in this session closely aligns with the insight we gather from clients and candidates across the region. Below, we explore the key themes shaping business confidence, recruitment activity and the outlook for 2026. Inflation Is Easing, but Confidence Has Yet to Follow The Bank of England outlined its latest central forecast: Inflation expected to gradually return toward the 2% target. GDP growth set to remain modest but stable through 2026. Interest rates anticipated to settle around 3.5% based on market expectations. Unemployment projected to hold near 5%. However, the sentiment in the room was clear: despite improving headline numbers, confidence across most sectors remains fragile. Many organisations described the environment as “flat” — not contracting, but unable to capitalise fully on opportunities due to economic uncertainty. Sharp Consultancy continues to see this play out: businesses are stabilising rather than expanding, focusing on cash management, operational efficiency and carefully controlled hiring. Labour Costs Continue to Reshape Workforce Strategies Wage pressures were a recurring theme throughout the discussion. Employers highlighted: Significant increases to the National Living Wage. Higher employer National Insurance contributions. Expected future changes to minimum wage equalisation for younger workers. Rising cost and complexity associated with apprenticeships. These factors are pushing up costs at every level of the workforce and reshaping recruitment behaviours. Across Sharp Consultancy’s accountancy and finance divisions, we are seeing: Strong demand for replacement hires where roles are business critical. Lower volumes of growth hires, particularly in commercial and project-focused appointments. Clients increasingly prioritising candidates who bring breadth, adaptability and long-term value. Construction & Infrastructure: Capacity Under Pressure Leaders from the construction sector painted a challenging picture — one mirrored by many Sharp Consultancy clients operating across the wider built environment. Key themes included: Planning delays of 9–10 months, particularly related to the Building Safety Act. Businesses holding on to workforce capacity despite reduced margins — a strategy that may not be sustainable in 2026. Difficulty justifying new capital expenditure under IFRS when future cashflows are uncertain. Concerns that smaller subcontractors may not withstand prolonged delays or reduced demand.Yet, attendees also highlighted that construction could become a catalyst for economic recovery — provided policy reform and planning improvements unlock stalled projects. Manufacturing: Rising Costs and Shifting OperationsLeaders representing manufacturing shared concerns around: Rising energy and operational costs. Increased frequency of site closures and offshoring. Significant challenges in attracting engineering and technical talent. Early signs of contraction in several sub-sectors, with aerospace a notable exception. These pressures reinforce the growing importance of finance leaders who can model scenarios, manage volatility and guide long-term planning — roles Sharp Consultancy continues to support across the manufacturing landscape. Charity & Public Sector Organisations Facing Acute Strain For organisations reliant on local authority funding, the challenges are particularly stark. Attendees reported: Government and council funding caps. Rising NI, wage costs and VAT changes adding millions to annual budgets. Increasingly complex consultation requirements under forthcoming employment legislation. The likelihood of significant cuts to the frontline services in the months ahead.Sharp Consultancy’s continues to work closely with organisations navigating these pressures, supporting clients through restructuring, recruitment challenges and financial planning needs. Recruitment Outlook: Stability Over Expansion Across sectors, the message was consistent: 2026 is expected to be cautious, steady and focused on maintaining capability rather than expanding headcount. Attendees forecast: Workforce levels remaining broadly flat. Hiring driven by essential replacement roles. Transformation, M&A and large-scale project hiring likely to remain subdued. Improved recruitment confidence only once interest rates and policy direction stabilise. For employers, this means sharper competition for high-quality finance talent — an area where Sharp Consultancy’s specialist teams continue to provide targeted, market-led support. What Comes Next? A Slow but Steady Rebuild Despite the challenges discussed, the roundtable ended on a constructive note. Many leaders believe that once interest rates settle and stalled investment begins to move, the region could see a more meaningful upturn — potentially from 2026 onwards. Yorkshire businesses have proven time and again that they are resourceful, resilient and ready to adapt. Sharp Consultancy remains committed to supporting them through every stage — whether stabilising teams, recruiting future leaders, or navigating the next phase of growth. If you’d like to understand what these economic trends mean for your business or team, speak to our specialist consultants for a confidential market discussion. Contacts Us

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Whether you’ve just been promoted to Finance Manager, taken on your first Financial Controller position, or stepped into a senior leadership role at a new organisation, transitioning into management is a big step in your accountancy career.

At Sharp Consultancy, we specialise in placing ambitious finance professionals into temporary, interim, and permanent leadership roles across Yorkshire and the North of England. Here’s our advice for making a strong impression as a newly appointed finance leader:

Start As You Mean to Go On

Scrabble board displaying the word "team success" formed with colorful letter tiles.

Your first few days in a leadership role set the tone for everything that follows. Whether you're managing a small transactional team or a wider finance department, show that you're confident in your abilities but also approachable and open to input.

People will form early opinions based on how you communicate and behave—so be present, clear, and authentic from the start.

Inspire with Purpose

Whether you're leading a budgeting and forecasting team, overseeing audit and compliance, or driving commercial finance strategy, it's important to clearly articulate your short and long-term goals. Show how each team member contributes to these objectives to create shared ownership and drive motivation.

Delegate and Empower

Finance leaders often struggle with letting go of tasks they’ve previously owned. But successful leaders in finance—particularly at the Finance Business Partner, Financial Controller, or FD level—understand the value of delegation.

Give your team ownership over key areas, whether it’s month-end processes, cash flow forecasting, or managing stakeholder reporting. Empowering others helps develop future leaders and strengthens team performance.

Lead by Example

Leadership in accountancy and finance requires technical credibility as well as personal integrity. Be consistent, reliable, and positive. Recognise strong performance—especially during periods of pressure like year-end—and celebrate wins as a team.

Bridge the Gap

It’s not unusual for a divide to form between senior leadership and operational staff. As a finance leader, you often sit at that intersection. Build trust upwards and downwards—position yourself as a collaborative partner to the board while remaining accessible and supportive to your team.

Allow Learning Through Mistakes

Financial leadership isn't about perfection—it's about problem-solving and resilience. Encourage your team to learn from challenges, whether it’s correcting reporting errors or improving a budgeting process. Offer support but avoid micromanaging. You'll build confidence, accountability, and stronger capabilities.

Foster Innovation and Improvement

Challenge the status quo—don’t default to "we’ve always done it this way." Whether you’re exploring ERP implementation, new BI tools, or improving internal controls, show that you value fresh thinking. Encourage your team to share ideas and give them the structure and autonomy to bring them to life.

Woman with a cheerful expression, holding a mug that says "World's Best Boss," celebrating her role as a supportive leader.

Take Informed Risks

Some of the best finance leaders are those who take calculated risks—launching a new cost-saving initiative, proposing a change in reporting structure, or supporting bold commercial decisions with data-led insights. Trust your experience and judgement while always assessing risk from a strategic perspective.

Make Credible, Confident Decisions

Finance leaders are relied upon for clarity. Don’t shy away from difficult decisions—especially when they involve people, budgets, or performance. Consider the facts, consult key stakeholders, and take action with confidence. Even a tough or unpopular decision can inspire respect if it’s well-informed and clearly communicated.

Need Help Building Your Finance Team or Advancing Your Leadership Career?

At Sharp Consultancy, our expert consultants specialise in the recruitment of finance professionals at all levels—from qualified accountants to FDs and CFOs. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, we support businesses and individuals across Yorkshire and beyond.

Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.

How to Succeed in Your First Finance Leadership Role