Driving Value for Exit: How Ignata Finance Secured an Interim CFO for Lawyers on Demand’s Successful Sale

4 Min. Read

The Challenge

Bowmark Capital, an investment firm, needed an interim CFO for one of their high-growth portfolio companies, Lawyers on Demand (LOD), an alternative legal services provider. As LOD prepared for an exit, they required a CFO with specific experience in the human capital sector and the ability to streamline back-office functions to maximise enterprise value (EV). The CFO’s role was critical in optimising financial processes and ensuring operational efficiency for a smooth exit. The challenge was to find a qualified interim CFO capable of delivering fast results in a highly profitable, fast-paced environment.

The Solution

Ignata Finance, a ZRG company with a proven track record of placing interim CFOs, was engaged by Bowmark Capital to meet this urgent requirement. After consulting with Bowmark’s partner to fully understand the business needs, Ignata Finance initiated a search for candidates experienced in human capital businesses with a strong consultancy background. The objective was to find a CFO who could streamline back-office operations and prepare LOD for a successful exit.

Within a week, Ignata Finance shortlisted two highly qualified candidates. Alf Davis was selected due to his extensive experience in optimising financial operations and his ability to implement process improvements that would enhance LOD’s readiness for sale. Davis promptly joined the business and began making impactful changes, focusing on streamlining invoicing, credit control, and establishing a secure data room to facilitate the sale.

The Results

Under Alf Davis’s leadership, LOD underwent significant operational improvements, which directly contributed to its successful sale through a trade deal within the year. By streamlining financial processes, Davis helped to enhance the company's enterprise value and supported Bowmark Capital in realising their investment.
The successful exit marked a key milestone for LOD, and Bowmark Capital expressed their satisfaction with the process and the role Ignata Finance played in securing a capable CFO to lead the business through this critical transition.

Tom Shelford, Partner at Bowmark Capital:

"We have worked with Vikki for interim roles recently. In both cases, she comfortably outperformed other options we were considering both in terms of candidate choice and timetable. Importantly, she gets the importance of developing relationships for delivering quality results long-term rather than just a transactional relationship. We very much look forward to working with her further in the future."

Alf Davis, Interim CFO at Lawyers on Demand:

"Vikki and the team at Ignata (ZRG) have been great to work with from the outset of our engagement. Vikki approached me with a clear brief in an exciting business that had a real fit with my experience and background. The process from the first call through to accepting the interim role was quick, well-managed, and had excellent communication throughout. I’d have no hesitation in both hiring through and being represented by Vikki and Ignata again."