Michelle Telling
Fractional FD
Fractional
‘Part of a whole, a small amount’
Finance Director
A senior executive responsible for overseeing an organisation’s financial health, strategy and operations.
A Fractional Finance Director provides the same services as a full-time Finance Director, but on a part-time basis.
My background
Experienced Fractional Finance Director available for your business – specialising in providing strategic and practical support to SME organisations. Your business may not need a full-time finance director, we effectively provide a part-time FD to assist and grow your business - and you only pay for the time/services your business needs.
― Skills
Leadership
Communication
Financial Strategy
Planning & analysis
Cost management
Why use an FFD?
If your business is growing and requires strategic guidance
Implementing new finance systems (e.g. Sage, Xero, going paperless)
Preparing for funding/investment from external partners
Experiencing cash flow challenges
Planning for exit – succession planning
Reviewing potential acquisitions or merger
Financial forecasting
Improving operational efficiency to deliver profitability
Current finance team needing direction and support
Too small to need a permanent full-time FD but wanting regular input from an FD...you are looking for a Fractional Finance Director.
FFD added value?
Do you understand which products/services produce the best profit?
Do your finance team feel supported?
Are all your costs under control and reviewed regularly for best value
Do you have have monthly/quarterly management accounts?
Are these accounts produced within a week of the month end?
What value do your management accounts provide to the business
Do you have reliable cash flow forecasts, can you predict cash needs
Is your business growing and in need of financial strategy?
Has your business stagnated and in need of new strategic direction
Are your financial processes as effective as they could be?
Are there upcoming projects requiring financial support?
Are you going through a period of change management?
Do you have reliable financial budgets or forecasts to hand?
Do your budget & variance reports give you useful information?
For all this and more...a Fractional Finance Director can add value to your business and bottom line.
Work experience
Finance Director
Manor Concepts Ltd / 2018-2022
Manufacturer of refrigeration units for supermarket & retail (T/O £15M, 150 employees), subsidiary of Arneg SPA (Italy). New role recruited to improve reporting to Italian owners and deliver strategic targets. Implemented Sage Line50, integrated with new bespoke MIS, managed through Brexit & impact on imports/exports.
Education
FCCA - Fellow Chartered Certificed Accountants
2012 qualified as member whilst working at Haines Watts Chartered Accountants (Manager of Accounts & Audit team).
Oxford Brooks University
1st class degree (2014), winner of Matthew Sykes Memorial Prize for best Research & Analysis Project 'Factors affecting staff motivation'.
Courses
Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior Leadership
BPIF delivered apprenticeship course 2025-2026, leading to FCMI (Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute). Completed with distinction, July 2026.
Finance Director
Premier Limpet Ltd / 2022-2026
UK's largest tape printer (T/O £12m, 60 employees), part of AIM listed group (Dec 2024), recruited as previous owners exited with remit to modernise accounting functions & implement a new MIS. Delivered improved service, cost savings & acquisition of assets & trade of a competitor. HR & IT lead within the business.
2025-2026 also FD of another group company - Bex Design & Print Ltd.
Finance Director
Newnorth Print Ltd / 2014-2018
Owner-managed litho & digital print business (T/O £6M, 60 employees). Upgraded all finance systems & implemented new MIS. Developed cost-rate system, introduced GDPR, HR staff contracts/induction/disciplinary procedures & performance management. Tenders & new customer bids, ISO standards, FSC & PEFC registrations. Acquisition of susbisdiary, 3B Design & Print & negotiated sale of commerical property in 2018 when the business was sold.
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Carl W. Buechner
GARRY HARDY (EX-MD & OWNER OF NEWNORTH PRINT LTD & 3B DESIGN & PRINT)
Michelle has been an invaluable part-time FD for Bex Design. She has not only strengthened our financial processes but has also helped me build my own understanding and confidence when it comes to the financial side of the business. She's always on hand to offer advice, answer questions, and provide clear, practical guidance. Her expertise, approachable nature, and genuine commitment to our success have made a real difference, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to any business looking for experienced financial support.
I had the pleasure of working with Michelle during her tenure as Finance Director at a UK subsidiary specialising in the manufacture of commercial refrigeration units. Throughout this period, Michelle demonstrated a high level of professionalism, technical competence, and sound financial acumen.
She was consistently approachable, well‑organised, and proactive in her responsibilities.
Michelle’s commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate complex financial matters made her a highly valued member of the organisation.
ALBERTO DILORENZO (DIRECTOR, HAINES WATTS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS)
Testimonials:
MARTIN HUTCHINGS & NIC LESLIE (DIRECTORS, PREMIER LIMPET LTD)
We've really enjoyed working with Michelle and appreciate the steady, thoughtful influence she has brought to the team and the business. Michelle has a practical way of explaining things, cutting through some of the complexity in Finance, and focusing on what really matters. This has been particularly helpful in day-to-day understanding helping with decision making.
She has added to the role beyond being a pure Finance Director. She has taken on additional responsibilities across the business, namely HR and Tech support and contract management, offering support and guidance where needed. Whether it’s contributing to people related matters, helping shape processes, or stepping in to resolve tech-related challenges, she has shown a willingness to get involved and help keep things running smoothly.
Her personal approach is collaborative and down-to-earth, open to discussion and always willing to offer a balanced perspective. She has been a reliable and approachable member of our senior team.
matt monk (warehouse manager, PREMIER LIMPET LTD)
Over the past 4 years we have seen a significant increase in stock steadiness and auditable accountancy which have been a true reflection of Michelle’s expertise. All departments under Michelle’s direct management & training program were able to reconcile with external auditors and complete the necessary spot checks on the warehouse/production floors of the business.
The original 2-day audit programme under her guidance & ongoing continuous improvements, has seen a reduction in people and only requires 1 day now to complete resulting in significant cost savings for the business.
MEL CONWAY (MANAGING DIRECTOR, BEX DESIGN & PRINT lTD)
Michelle was my FD at Newnorth Print and at 3B Design & Print.
She is without doubt the most personable FD that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She got on with everyone within the organisation, as well as suppliers and contractors. I never heard a negative word said about her and in my experience, that’s rare for FD’s!
Michelle is very efficient and proactive. You never have to chase her up on projects, they’re always done in advance of schedule and in meticulous detail.
I sold Newnorth Print to an American Multi-National and Michelle was absolutely indispensable in the planning process and bringing the deal to a successful conclusion.
Let's talk
