FP&A Analyst - UK Retail

FP&A Analyst – UK Retail

Location: London, Manchester, York or Colchester

Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract

Working arrangement: Hybrid

About the Business

A leading specialist financial services organisation with a strong reputation for technical expertise, disciplined financial management and commercial performance. The UK retail business serves a diverse customer base across personal and commercial lines, combining specialist knowledge with a commercially focused approach.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced FP&A Analyst to join the UK Retail Financial Planning & Analysis and Business Partnering team, reporting to the Head of FP&A and Business Partnering.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who can deliver high-quality financial insight, influence senior stakeholders and support strategic decision-making across a complex retail business.

The successful candidate will take ownership of key financial performance analysis, develop forward-looking insight and translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations. The role sits at the heart of the finance business partnering model, connecting financial analysis with business performance and leadership decisions.

A key focus will be going beyond explaining financial variances to articulate the wider business implications, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend appropriate actions.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Performance, Insight and Reporting

• Own and deliver monthly financial performance analysis across key areas of the business, including management expenses and headcount.
• Develop forward-looking financial insight, identifying risks, opportunities and emerging trends.
• Translate complex financial data into concise, commercially focused narratives to support senior management decision-making.
• Investigate performance variances, applying sound professional judgement to identify underlying drivers and recommended actions.
• Prepare high-quality financial analysis and presentation materials for senior leadership meetings, quarterly business reviews and other key reporting forums.

Financial Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting

• Take ownership of significant elements of the budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting processes.
• Support the development and challenge of financial assumptions, ensuring plans are robust, well evidenced and commercially realistic.
• Ensure financial plans and forecasts align with business strategy and reflect emerging performance trends and risks.

Projects, Change and Continuous Improvement

• Play a leading role in cost management, efficiency and transformation initiatives, including financial modelling, option analysis and benefits tracking.
• Identify and implement improvements to FP&A processes, reporting and controls, with an emphasis on standardisation, automation and efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with Group Finance and Financial Reporting teams to maintain consistency, accuracy and a strong financial control environment.

Stakeholder Management and Team Contribution

• Build effective relationships with senior stakeholders and finance business partners, providing clear, credible and commercially relevant insight.
• Act as a role model for analytical quality, professional judgement and high standards of financial reporting.
• Contribute to the continued development and effectiveness of the wider FP&A and Business Partnering function.
• Coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders, managing competing priorities and deadlines effectively.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential Requirements

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong FP&A experience, including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Experience within the general insurance sector, with the ability to apply relevant industry knowledge effectively.
• Proven experience engaging with senior stakeholders and delivering financial insight that informs business decisions.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and identify the key commercial implications.
• Strong financial storytelling skills, translating analysis into concise, clear and actionable recommendations.
• Experience producing high-quality executive-level reporting and presentation materials for senior leadership.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, with the ability to produce accurate, insightful and well-presented outputs.
• Experience working alongside finance business partnering teams and supporting senior reporting cycles.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple inputs and manage deadlines.
• A proactive problem-solving mindset, with the confidence to challenge assumptions and focus on the most important business priorities.
• Exposure to cost transformation, efficiency initiatives or business change programmes.

The Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Work closely with senior business leaders and contribute directly to commercial decision-making.
• Take ownership of meaningful financial analysis and influence how performance is understood across the business.
• Play a pivotal role within an established FP&A and Business Partnering function.
• Contribute to cost efficiency, process improvement and transformation initiatives.
• Develop your experience in a dynamic, commercially focused financial services environment.
• Benefit from hybrid working and a culture that supports professional development, inclusion and flexible working.