Chief Financial and Commercial Officer (CFC), John Lyon’s Foundation
Harrow on the Hill
Attractive six figure salary and benefits
For Spring 2023

John Lyon’s Foundation aims to provide and inspire education and life-enhancing opportunities for young people around the world. It does this in a number of ways, including: through three schools Harrow School, John Lyon School, and Quainton Hall; John Lyon’s Charity, a grant-giving charity focused on supporting educational initiatives for young people across nine boroughs in London; and through business development activities both internationally and nationally.
The Chief Financial and Commercial Officer (CFCO) is a newly formed role, with a unique opportunity to shape the strategy of the John Lyon’s Foundation for the next generation. It comprises a crucial element of the nascent Foundation Office, located in Harrow on the Hill. The CFCO will report to the Chairman of Governors of the Foundation, and have three key priorities:-
1. To facilitate the development of Foundation strategy, with accountability for Finance, Risk Management and Commercial elements thereof.
2. To build on and lead exploration of business development opportunities across the Foundation, working with and through others to realise the Foundation’s optimum potential.
3. Jointly with the Clerk to the Governors and General Counsel, to establish the Foundation Office, to support Governors in governing the Foundation and exploit potential efficiencies in functional services across the Foundation.
The immediate priority will be to support Harrow School on the retirement of its Bursar in mid-2023, after over two decades of outstanding service to the School community.
The role will require someone who is a strategic thinker, financially literate and commercially minded, with experience in leading and inspiring multi-functional teams. Candidates are likely to have a long track record of success in the commercial sector and have provided financial leadership and management in large and complex organisations. Key to success will be the CFCO’s ability to use their commercial outlook and experience in a way that befits the charity and education sectors, together with their ability to work with and through other stakeholders both internally and externally. Candidates will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a keen intellect and a genuine interest in the independent schools’ sector, grant giving charities and supporting the development and education of young people.
Given the context in which this appointment is being made, the CFCO’s remit and responsibilities will by necessity change and develop over time. Indeed this presents a great opportunity for the right individual to shape the role in response to the evolving needs of the Foundation.

How to Apply
Minerva have been retained by the Foundation Governors to assist with making this appointment. Further information about the role can be found on our microsite at www.minervasearch.com/jlf
Candidates should apply for this role by emailing their application to [email protected]
In the first instance applications should include a CV and covering letter of no more than two pages, addressed to Mr David Eyton, the Chairman elect of Governors by no later than 7th October 2022.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates are likely to take place week commencing 5th December 2022.
The Foundation is committed to building a diverse and inclusive work force. We are therefore keen to receive applications from a diverse range of applicants who can share their own unique experiences in order to shape and further enhance this exciting new role.
Should you have any further questions or wish to have a confidential exploratory conversation, please email Jo Ogilvy at [email protected]

Safeguarding
Equality, diversity and inclusion are values that are important to us at Harrow. We believe in diversity of thought and actively welcome anyone regardless of their background to bring their valuable and relevant skills to our community.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with any past employer and the Disclosure and Barring Service, and it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, a month. Please plan accordingly.