Michael Barnes, Darren Bellwood, Lee Bowers, Kevin Cooke and Mark Woodward have joined the business as consultant finance directors, bolstering a division that already comprises a well-established head of advisory and regional FD, and a wider network of over 25 associate finance directors.

In their new roles, as experienced finance directors all five will work closely with Headstar’s base of clients and contractors, providing advice and support to help them to shape their financial model and grow their business.

They will be responsible for delivering a broad range of services to businesses of all sizes, including part-time FD support – where an experienced FD joins the business on a part-time basis – as well as turnaround and growth support, developing and implementing plans to help companies to thrive. In addition, they will also work closely with Headstar’s team of recruitment consultants, who recruit for all areas of a finance team from entry level to CFO, to identify and fulfil staffing solutions.

Headstar’s advisory and portfolio FD division accounts for roughly a quarter of the company’s turnover, as the firm looks to expand outside of its Yorkshire heartland to support an increasing number of UK-wide clients.

Barnes will be responsible for supporting clients in Manchester, while Bowers will cover Chesterfield and Nottingham. Bellwood will cover West and East Yorkshire, while Cooke will focus on South Yorkshire, East Riding and Lincolnshire – with Woodward also supporting clients in South Yorkshire.

Headstar, originally known as FD Yorkshire, was established 37 years ago and is owned and run by FDs, offering a full range of finance consultancy and recruitment services. The company’s advisory and portfolio FD division is focused on supporting SMEs with a turnover between £2m-25m.

Clients include Weir Minerals, MRC Global, RSM, NG Bailey and British Garden Centres.

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Caption: (l-r) Lee Bowers, Michael Barnes, Mark Woodward, Darren Bellwood, Kevin Cooke ©Headstar/Giles Rocholl Photography Ltd