Simon Bernal

A globally experienced commercial CFO and COO dedicated to building high performing teams which are commercially relevant and integral to the business. Recognised by ACCA and other publications as a leader in achieving turnaround and growth to deliver value. Building on foundations established in practice (KPMG and PwC – where I was headhunted to PwC by former KPMG partner), I have used this to capitalise on opportunities to broaden knowledge across the MidCap / SME space through both interim positions.

Working closely with equity investors and partnering with ambitious businesses looking to scale at pace, supporting founders, CEO's and private investors to realise high growth through financial discipline, technical solutions deployment and data analysis. Expert in delivering sustainable long-term growth whilst establishing and developing teams.

Experienced

Non-Executive and Executive Director with over 17 years' experience in leadership roles. Achievements resulting in exits (through M&A) and significant value creation events. Qualified accountant with 20+ years PQE, across media, technology (SaaS), marketing, professional services, FinTech and real estate.

Managing Partner, CFO and COO - Yonder Consulting Group

(2025-08)

Working with Waypoint Partners and Founder to review full operational, financial and delivery model to elevate profitability to maximise the potential exit multiple of the business. Through capitalising on existing client relationships, developing international relationships, focussing on delivery structure and OpEx structure, drive efficiencies of the group and increase EBITDA.

CFO - IMPOWER Consulting Group

(2024-10 - 2025-08)

Interim Fractional CFO working with Active Partners PE and CEO to professionalise finance and operational functions, Board reporting and preparing the company for exit. Elevating relevant MI packs and data room to PE standards and for DD process and building data room. Implementing EMI scheme for leadership team whilst taking on all CoSec to rectify Cap Table and M&A of Association.

CFO and COO - Outernet Group (incl. Consolidated Holdings Ltd)

(2023-05 - 2024-09)

Headhunted by AB Carval and Kirschel Family Office to deliver operational and financial turnaround, restructuring and stability and integration across the group.

• Slashed operational costs by 42% to reflect business
• Challenged sales and commercial teams on client make up to focus on high profit sales generation – doubling revenue in six months whilst improving forecasting accuracy and consistency
• Delivered debt for Equity swap for AB Carval on the £0.7bn debt structure

CFO and COO - Outernet Group - Real Estate

(2023-05 - 2024-09)

Headhunted to turnaround and restructure Kirschel Family Office debt structure and operations.

• Successful delivery of £0.3bn refinance across Soho and Covent Garden real estate and OpCos through sale and leaseback arrangement with Song Capital and Just Retirement Pension Fund turning £2m annual deficit to c.£8m surplus

Global CFO and COO - Toaster Group - Creative and Tech Agency

(2017-08 - 2023-05)

Leading founders though professionalisation and 5x revenue growth and doubling of Net Margins through international expansion to San Francisco, New Delhi, and Singapore.

• Diversified client portfolio from 99% Alphabet to <60%
• Led two (of three) founders through separate exits: non-consensual exit (share buy-back) and consensual exit (VDD and share sale to PE market consolidator – SuperStudio)
• Led CDD and subsequent CDD of acquisition of production agency to support growth plans

Interim / Fractional CFO and Advisor - Arenilla Ventures

(2015-08)

Working as operational partner on Investor's behalf focusing on longer term planning whilst delivering: exit strategies, growth strategies through (financial and non-financial) optimising, turnaround, financial and strategic management and restructure, and operational efficiencies. Delivered through interim engagements, trustee positions or through non-executive placements.

Fractional CFO - Finxone Ltd

(2024-10 - 2025-01)

Working with founders, Private Equity and Angel Investors of FinTech B2B SaaS company. including: Ventures Together, Angel Invest Fund II, DFG Elements, Mountside Ventures, and, Impact X.

• Secured £5m Series A funding following 'belt-and-braces' start-up phase
• Establishing PE level board reporting and liaising directly with Investors
• Driving expansion plans to Middle East, Africa and USA

CFO turned NED and advisor - MHV Ventures

(2016-02 - 2022-12)

CFO turned NED and advisor to environmentally positive and sustainable companies and start ups on a pro-bono basis. Links to Green Angel Syndicate and OnePlanet.Capital.

NED (Operational) - Hatch Growth

(2013-02 - 2017-07)

Established a business delivering a growth advisory model to focus finance and resources for UK SMEs.

• Delivery of successful exit to RBS Banking Group

Team Lead - HM Government (DofE)

Established a team to oversee the national restructuring of Further Education debt, driven by LTV.

• Negotiated with panel of banks on college-by-collage basis to reset covenants and restructure debt
• Set up six regional offices in a six-month period
• Reporting directly into the Minister for Education and Treasury

Interim fractional CFO - Consulting company in Professional Services

Interim fractional CFO to review the consultancy model and establish accurate monthly reporting with clear KPIs.

• Mentoring the Founder through operational review of delivery and the subsequent restructure
• Increased Operating Gross Margins and Operating Margins by 20% and 28% respectively

Programme Lead - HM Government (DofH)

Led full transformation and turnaround programme for the change from NHS PCTs to the GP-led clinical commissioning groups of a Central London NHS unit (City & Hackney PCT).

• Delivering a surplus of £5m from a deficit of £20m on a budget of £0.5bn

Interim CFO - IMBIBERY, Cold Pressed Juices

Interim CFO to assess the business, GTM and B2B sales to accelerate growth.

• Leading VDD through M&A exit for two founders to a white label London based cold-pressed juicing company

CFO and COO - The Sandpit (Ascension Ventures)

(2016-03 - 2017-08)

Working closely with Ascension Ventures (early stage VC fund) and recruited by Chairman (Tina Beattie - ex-ED at ABN Amro, Investor, NED and Chair). B2B SaaS focussed investor for businesses across Tech.

• Oversaw portfolio of 12 companies and led growth strategies across investments and team delivering shared service solutions (finance, marketing, sales, development, HR and Legal)
• Restructuring of the Fund's OpCo for operational and financial effectiveness - 60% reduction in OpEx and increase of 22% in profit

Director London - Advisory - PwC - London

(2008-06 - 2015-08)

Advising and delivering CFO roles for clients on growth or turnaround strategies in the Mid-Market.

• Leading and delivering independent business reviews
• Accelerated M&As (incl full DD)
• Financial and operational restructures

Senior Manager London - Financial Services Advisory - KPMG - London

(2005-01 - 2008-05)

Specialist in Lloyd's of London, general insurers, and insurance brokers, primarily around the structuring / M&A of Lloyd's syndicates from Members to Corporates.

Accountant - Chapman Robinson & Moore - Oxford

(2000-07 - 2004-12)

Focus on SME owner-managed businesses in a wide range of sectors.

Fractional CFO turned Non-Executive - Engine

(2019-01)

Fractional CFO turned Non-Executive for tech development (web and app) company. Working with brands like Nike and Red Bull.

• Successfully leading strategic review
• B-Corp application
• Expanding in to Tech Consulting
• R&D strategies and claims

Governor and Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee - Wells Cathedral School

(2023-12)

Providing depth of financial experience to this historic academic and musical institution.

• Leading turnaround plans following change in Government and VAT implementation
• Leading M&A process (HIGHLY confidential)

Non-Executive Director - Derelict to Dream - Spain

(2024-01 - 2025-07)

Non-Executive Director for an acquisitive property development company based in Spain.

• Leading and supporting on investment raising
• Overview of financial modelling

Non-Executive - Step In To Tranquillity - Spain

(2024-01 - 2025-07)

Non-Executive for operator of Wellbeing and Health retreats in Spain being hosted in the Derelict to Dream property portfolio.

Non-Executive - Festibell Ltd

(2023 - 2023)

Non-Executive for the hospitality and leisure company linked to the Glastonbury Festival.

• Leading fundraising on large capital projects
• Close liaison with the regulatory bodies including DEFRA and HMG

BSc (Hons) 2(i) - Applied Accountancy & Finance - Oxford Brookes (2003 - 2003)

Secondary Education - Magdalen College School (2000 - 2000)