Dale began his career in the Royal Navy as an aircraft engineer with 847 Naval Air Squadron, working on Lynx Mk7 helicopters. Precision, accountability and calm decisions under pressure. Qualities that still shape his approach today.
After leaving the forces he completed a First Class Honours degree in International Business at Manchester Metropolitan University, then moved into recruitment with Hays, where he built his commercial grounding in finance before moving to Marks Sattin.
Today Dale is a Director at Distinct and runs the interim finance desk across Yorkshire, the North West and the North East. He works with interim finance leadership; CFOs, Finance Directors, Financial Controllers, Commercial, FP&A and senior project finance, typically from £350 a day upwards. He works with PE and VC-backed businesses, PLCs, established owner-managed and family companies.
Dale prides himself on customer service, speaking to people regularly to really understand them and what they’re good at. Two interim FDs with the same background are rarely the same hire, he wants to know who he’s talking to before he puts them in front of anybody.
With clients, he wants to know where the pressure is before he sends anyone, not just what the job title says.
Most of Dale’s work comes when a business is doing something it hasn’t done before. Preparing for a sale, integrating an acquisition, replacing a finance system, or coming out of a deal with reporting that no longer fits.The people he places have done that exact thing several times. Someone who’s been through diligence knows what a buyer will ask for months before anyone asks for it. Someone who’s integrated four acquisitions and isn’t learning on your first.
Also helping businesses to not commit too early to a permanent hire. Plenty of businesses aren’t ready to define a permanent finance role. A good interim in the seat tells you what the job is before you go to market for the permanent hire.
He’s equally committed internally, mentoring colleagues to develop new markets, take ownership, and operate independently. At the heart of it all is a simple philosophy: honest advice, genuine relationships and long-term results.
Outside of work, Dale is a keen family man. He spends much of his time exploring the Lake District or Scotland in a campervan with his wonderful wife and autistic son, who share his love of the outdoors.
Dale enjoys staying active and has embraced golf since 2020, making the most of summer courses and recently took up padel.
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