Pitch Hill Partners has been placing CFOs, Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and FP&A professionals across the UK for over a decade. Here's what some of the finance leaders we've worked with have said about the process — from first conversation to placement and beyond.

"I've worked with Ray for over 10 years, starting with my first contract role. What stands out is his honest, direct guidance — he knows his market inside out and doesn't waste time with fluff. The role he placed me in matched reality, which built trust from day one. More than that, he's maintained the relationship well beyond the initial placement. His clarity and straightforward approach have been genuinely valuable throughout my career."

Amanda Van Heerden — FP&A Director

"I really appreciate your time — it was refreshing to speak to someone with an open mindset on experience, skills and adaptability. It also helped me crystallise that roles with a certain amount of ambiguity are the ones that will most interest me."

Andrew Ferguson — Senior Interim Finance Leader

"I just wanted to say thank you so much for all the help, support, guidance and engagement through the process of finding the next step in my career. It has helped to shape and clarify my thinking, understanding and direction. Furthermore, it's been great to connect and build my network through this process."

David Christianson — VP FP&A, SSR Mining

"I have really seen results on building my network in the past months, and as I still like the idea of a portfolio career — that's now probably going to be a permanent role plus board positions — your advice was excellent and I am still following it!"

Penny Wilkie — Senior Corporate Controller, Alpiq

"Ray is an outstanding recruiter and such a nice person too. If you are looking for an interim candidate, contact Ray Nicholls."

Stuart Anthony — Interim CFO

"I found Ray to be a pleasure to deal with as a candidate. Ray's approach is that of a problem-solver — he matches the needs of the companies he has relationships with to a candidate's skills. This business-centred, mature approach translates into excellent opportunities for his candidates, and I would recommend Ray to high-quality professionals who will deliver for their clients."

Oliver Bond — Private Equity Investor and CFO

"I cannot recommend Ray highly enough. He has placed me regularly. He understands me as a candidate and knows his clients well, which has meant that the placements have been successful for both parties."

Alistair Barber — Interim FD

"Ray was able to match me to a very interesting opportunity. His market knowledge meant he could really understand the needs of his client and match them with my skills and experience."

Neil Bath — Chair and NED

"Over the many years that I have known Ray Nicholls he has been a great sounding board for career and assignment-related questions, always offering quality advice. He regularly contacts me about Interim CFO opportunities and a couple of these have resulted in interesting roles. I would highly recommend Ray as a recruiter for senior-end finance roles into SME, PE and PLC businesses."

Paul Bergin — Interim CFO

"Ray is a top-class recruiter with a unique approach — he engages clients and candidates with the same level of energy and enthusiasm. He is very thorough and spends time understanding the perspectives of employers and candidates, which results in a very close match of mutual requirements. I highly recommend him to employers and candidates alike."

Dindo Sy Chu — VP Finance, Sorrento Therapeutics

"Ray has always been an extremely personable recruiter who is straight and honest with you from the moment you meet him. He encourages candidates and clients alike to consider alternative options and possibilities to achieve their desired goals. Ray's unique energy and enthusiasm always leave you upbeat when working with him."

Shirley James — Finance Director

"I have known Ray for a number of years. He is a refreshing change from the typical finance sector recruiter — very commercial, perceptive and analytical, combined with a genuine desire to really understand client and candidate and ensure there is a successful match. If I were searching for candidates, or indeed looking myself, Ray would be my first point of contact."

Auriel Folkes — Part-Time CFO

"Ray always listened to what I was looking for in terms of roles, then actively sought them out — and often the roles were beyond my expectations. Once placed, he regularly checked in to ensure the assignment was meeting everyone's expectations. I'd happily work with Ray again and recommend him to anyone with roles to fill."

Mark Clifton — Finance Director

"I worked closely with Ray over a number of years during which he provided me with a professional service and a high degree of integrity and creativity. He is a great relationship builder and always made the extra effort to really understand my business and requirements — as such, he became an important service provider. I can highly recommend him."

Paul Carr — Pricing Strategy Director, SHL

"I worked with Ray at Betfair where he placed me as an interim and have maintained a close relationship since — even staying in touch when he went on his world tour honeymoon! Ray has been thoroughly professional throughout and stays in regular contact just to keep in touch. I thoroughly recommend Ray as a great example of how a recruitment professional should be."

Robin Border — Interim FD

"Ray is my 'phone a friend'. I know that he will give clear and unbiased advice in a thoughtful and considered way. He has absolutely earned my trust, which is critical for me, as he may be representing my skills and abilities to people I have not yet met."

Stephen Oliver — CFO

"I've known Ray at Pitch Hill for over a decade, and he has always been incredibly proactive at pursuing leads when I'm on the market, taking the time and putting in the effort to ensure the roles we discuss match my skills and interests. Ray has placed me in a role previously that was perfect for me, and aligned very well with my requirements and goals. Ray and Pitch Hill Partners are truly the pinnacle of professionalism and dedication when it comes to placement and resourcing — and Ray is an all-round great individual to know and work with."

Emile Van Heerden — Finance Director

"I've worked with Ray on multiple contract placements over the years and have always found the process clear, honest, and well handled. The roles he's put me forward for have consistently matched the reality of the assignments, which meant I went into interviews confident they were a good fit. Support has always gone beyond the placement itself, with an ongoing relationship throughout each contract — which is why I've continued to work with Ray repeatedly."

Yasmine Baghlali — Group Financial Controller

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Ray at Pitch Hill for many years and have developed a very strong and honest relationship. Ray has supported me in getting roles both directly and through support and advice even when not directly involved. He often offers additional insights into situations that really help. He's also really easy to chat to — that always helps!"

Steve Williamson — Interim Senior VP Finance

"Such a pleasure to meet you — a very different and inspiring conversation, and far from a typical recruiter call. I am very pleased our paths have crossed and look forward to staying in touch."

Louise Curbishley — CFO

"Across several senior placements, Ray demonstrated consistent professionalism, clarity, and integrity. Roles were accurately represented, communication was direct and honest, and support extended well beyond each placement. I would recommend Ray and Pitch Hill Partners without hesitation."

David Main — CFO

"Ray isn't just a recruiter — he's a trusted adviser. I've dealt with him for well over a decade now, and he's always happy to share his wide knowledge of the market and industry, and offer support and honest feedback. It helps that he's placed me into a few roles as well! I've always enjoyed working with him, and I look forward to that relationship continuing for many years to come."

Ewan Cotter — Finance Director

"Pitch Hill Partners were great to work with. Open, straightforward and genuinely invested in getting the right outcome. Ray helped me secure an interim contract at Funding Options and I look forward to working with him again on future assignments."

Irfan Majeed — Finance Director

"Working with Ray at Pitch Hill Partners was an absolute pleasure. Ray took the time to understand me, the role I would thrive in, and the client I would work best with. I found an amazing interim role through Pitch Hill at a time when the senior finance market was possibly at its toughest. That role became permanent and I have since been promoted. Unlike many recruiters, Ray was responsive and genuinely invested in finding me the most suitable placement — and he took the time to ensure I was fully prepared. You're in good hands with Pitch Hill."

Juley Anderton — Senior Financial Controller

"Ray has a very natural ability to rapidly get to know and understand a client, without ever looking to apply a one-size-fits-all approach. Ongoing advice is always measured and centred on the client's best interests, and his insights into market trends have been greatly welcomed. The role Ray placed me into has been extremely fulfilling and more than met my expectations."

Simon Wright — VP Finance

"Ray has supported me for over 10 years, both in finding candidates for roles I have been seeking to fill and in placing me into finance roles. He listens to the specifications I need and provides candidates and opportunities which match my requirements. He gives his candid opinions and ensures I have a balanced perspective. As a result, I see Ray as a trusted adviser and he is the first recruiter I reach out to when I need support."

Steve Cox — CFO

"Working with Ray has been a great experience. He's extremely good at understanding both sides — what the client genuinely needs and what the candidate can truly deliver — and matching the right person and skill set accordingly. Communication has always been clear and honest throughout, and Ray has been incredibly flexible and considerate on negotiations and commercial terms, which is genuinely rare. It felt like an ongoing relationship rather than just a placement. I'd happily work with Ray again."

Neb Bursac — CFO

"I have worked with Ray at Pitch Hill for a number of years both as a candidate and as an employer. He has incredible knowledge of his role and is a joy to work with."

Aleks Milanov — Programme Manager, PwC