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Finance Director Salaries: UK Averages 2025

Explore the average range of a Finance Director salary in the UK by location:

  • London: £100k - £230k
  • South East & East of England: £110k - £160k
  • Midlands: £80k - 150k
  • North: £100k - £220k
  • Merseyside: £70k - £150k

 

Finance Director salary trends

The role of a Finance Director continues to be a crucial position within the UK across various sectors, from growing startups to established enterprises. While the role is consistently in demand, levels can shift based on market dynamics and industry-specific trends. To excel in this competitive landscape, it is vital to enhance skills in financial technology, data interpretation, and strategic financial planning. Expertise in these areas can open doors to the most lucrative Finance Director positions.

The average salary of a Finance Director in the UK fluctuates by region, with expected ranges between £70,000 and £230,000 influenced by several factors.

What factors influence the Financial Director salary?

Experience

Finance Directors with significant experience, particularly those with more than 5 years in the field, tend to earn higher salaries due to their in-depth knowledge and strategic impact on a company.

Qualifications

For those aiming to increase their Finance Director pay, pursuing further qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, or an MBA is advantageous. Continuous professional development through seminars and workshops also contributes to a higher Finance Director salary UK.

Industry

Sectors like Fintech and Challenger Banks typically offer robust compensation packages due to their high revenue potential. In contrast, the Commerce & Industry sector presents a wide finance director salary range, reflecting a variety of business models beyond the financial landscape.

A Director of Finance salary in Fintech and Challenger Banks can reach up to £230,000, whereas those in Commerce & Industry might see a 53% reduction, capping at £150,000.

Company size

Larger companies, due to their intricate financial frameworks and substantial budgets, often offer competitive salaries to their Finance Directors.

A skilled Finance Director in a medium-sized enterprise (50 – 250 employees) within Commerce & Industry - Qualified can expect a salary range of £100,000 – £160,000, while a large enterprise (250+ employees) might offer between £120,000 – £180,000.

Location

Salaries are generally higher in major cities where living costs and demand are elevated. For instance, a finance director salary London may range from £100,000 to £230,000, in contrast to Merseyside where earnings could be between £70,000 and £150,000.

FAQs: Finance Director

Finance Directors often receive various benefits alongside their base salary. These can vary by company and industry, but common perks include:

  • Bonuses and incentives
  • Healthcare and insurance
  • Retirement plans
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Professional development
  • Qualification reimbursement
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Travel benefits
  • Company discounts

Yes, freelance Finance Directors may have different compensation structures compared to full-time employees. Factors affecting freelance compensation include:

  • Hourly or project-based rates
  • Flat fees
  • Value-based pricing
  • Retainer Agreements
  • Geographic considerations
  • Industry specialisation
  • Market demand
  • Experience and reputation
  • Remote work flexibility

The Robert Walters Salary Survey is a valuable resource for exploring Finance Director salary UK data, offering insights into:

  • Enhanced data - salary ranges and averages across varying enterprise sizes
  • Hiring trends - Discover what hiring patterns look like for your sector in 2025
  • Talent hotspots - Identify in-demand skill sets for the coming year
  • Expectations - Explore how to attract and retain top talent with compelling compensation packages.


Download your free copy now

Robert Walters has extensive experience in placing Finance Directors in prominent companies across the UK, providing deep insights into what attracts top-tier candidates and how to create effective job descriptions.

Job specification template for a Finance Director role

Creating a detailed job specification for a Finance Director is essential for attracting top professionals to your organisation. Our customisable template, developed by expert finance recruiters, provides a comprehensive guide to crafting an effective job description that highlights key responsibilities, required skills, and alignment with company culture.

By using this template, you can streamline your recruitment process, ensuring that your job advert reaches the right candidates, saving time and resources while enhancing the appeal of your role.

Download the template now to elevate your recruitment strategy and secure a skilled Accounts Payable Manager for your team.

If you have an immediate requirement for a Finance Director, submit a vacancy here, and one of our recruitment specialists will get in touch.

  




 
Salary Survey 2025
Developed in partnership with a market leading data provider, we assessed over 100,000 jobs posted over the last 12-months, to provide you accurate data points on UK salary ranges, averages and expectations for permanent, contract and interim positions across the UK.

Example job description for hiring a Finance Director

When hiring a Finance Director, standing out from the competition is crucial. Attracting the best talent to your organisation starts with a quality job description.

Download our template to tap into the expertise of our specialist finance recruiters. With decades of experience connecting Finance Directors to coveted organisations across the globe, we know how to catch the eye of the best professionals.

The template is formatted in a clear, professional way, allowing you to easily input key information specific to your needs. This includes an overall job summary, an outline of key responsibilities, and the skills required.

Download now to access the example and use the instructions to customise the job specification to the role you are hiring for.

Hiring Manager? Benchmark your teams salaries

If you’re growing your team or simply need to retain the talent you have, the Salary Survey gives you the insights you need to have the right team in place to keep your business moving forward.

Candidate? Find out your salary with an individual salary guide

Whether you’re looking for a new role or preparing for your end-of-year appraisal, the Salary Survey will arm you with everything you need to know to get what you deserve.

Bespoke salary benchmarking

Using a combination of our own data, publicly available insights and our recruitment experts, we build bespoke overviews of the salaries and benefits required to attract talent.