Startup operating partner · Pre-seed to Series A
Real experienceReal adviceReal numbers
I work with founders to create and protect value. This could be anything from developing the commercial strategy to board reports, but it really depends on what will drive the most value at any single point. I work flexibly as part of the team.
Services
What I do
Senior, flexible, data-driven support for founders.
Honest advice and a sounding board
Someone to bounce ideas off and talk things through properly. Most of the time the hard part is working out which question actually matters, and what to leave alone.
Shaping the business and its numbers
Getting the model and the numbers behind the story right. If it's a plan you can defend in a meeting and run the business against, it's worth doing properly.
An AI-powered finance stack
I set up systems that handle the repetitive work, like reconciliations and month-end, and pull your data into one place. The numbers stay current and the time goes into deciding what to do next.
Sorting out the awkward problems
The things that don't fit neatly into a job description. A decision that keeps getting postponed, or a number that doesn't quite add up.
About
Why work with me.
I'm Rick Charnley, a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) with 18+ years across venture-backed startups and scale-ups — most recently as Finance Director at Red Rover Interactive, which has raised $27m, and where I remain as Fractional FD.
Before that I spent nearly a decade as Investment Director at Northstar Ventures, leading investments across various sectors and stages. I understand what investors want but more importantly, what founders need. There is no point satisfying investors if you don't get value from it.
I partner with pre-seed and seed founders to shape the story, size the opportunity, build the data-driven plan behind it, and put in the reporting rigour that helps you scale.
Contact
I'm always happy to chat to founders whatever stage of the journey; let's talk.
If you're at pre-seed and just getting going, office hours are probably the easiest place to start.
Free 30-minute slots, every Thursday 9:00–12:00 UK time. No pitch deck needed. Bring whatever you're stuck on.
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