Virtufin | About Leigh

The short version

I'm Leigh. I spent 15 years working in finance inside businesses ranging from startups to a FTSE 100 company. I've seen what happens when businesses have proper financial management and what happens when they don't.

I set up Virtufin because I kept meeting business owners who were stuck in the middle. They'd grown past the point where basic bookkeeping was enough, but a full time finance director didn't make financial sense. They were making important decisions based on bank balances and gut feeling, and it was costing them money and sleep.

I don't overcomplicate things. If you ask me a question, you'll get a straight answer in plain English, usually the same day. I've had clients tell me they use me as a sounding board for decisions that go well beyond the books, from whether a tender is worth pursuing to how to restructure after losing a major contract. That's the kind of relationship I build with the people I work with.

What it actually looks like

I've sat in a hotel in Solihull sorting through carrier bags of receipts with a client. I've helped a business survive losing a £300,000 contract at short notice. I've spotted things on people's tax returns that their previous accountants had missed for years. None of that is glamorous, but it's the stuff that actually makes a difference.

I care about the businesses I work with. That might sound like a line, but my clients will tell you it's true. I celebrate the wins with them. I'm honest when things aren't looking great. And I'm there when it counts, not just at month end or when something's due.

One of my clients started with me two days a week. Once I'd got their systems running properly and everything was in order, I told them we could drop it to one day. They didn't ask me to reduce my hours. I told them they didn't need me as much anymore. Because that's the right thing to do, even if it means less money for me.

Another client brought me with him when he left one business and started a completely different one. We'd worked together for a few years at that point, and when he set up his own design consultancy, he wanted me handling the finances from day one. I take that as the best kind of testimonial there is.

When I'm not working, you'll find me out walking with my two dogs or training for whatever charity challenge I've been talked into next.

If you want to see if we'd work well together, drop me a message. Worst case, we have a decent conversation.

What people say

“He approached it with curiosity, not judgment. He was interested to understand what it was we did and he was looking to see where he could add value. Leigh managed to make it feel like we weren't part of his process in a box ticking exercise. That gave us a lot of confidence.”

Nick

Pioneer Leadership

“He doesn't see himself as above anyone else. He shows an interest and he wants to know about your business. It's that partnership, that relationship. The peace of mind.”

Holly

Commercial Services

“I don't look at Leigh as someone to call when things go wrong. It's more preventative. He's plugged into the business. He adds a lot of value, not just in spreadsheet terms, he brings clarity to whatever we're dealing with.”

Nigel Plested

Ideasologie

“When you look at him, you wouldn't think he's an accountant.”

What people say

Want to see if we're a good fit?