SERVICE / PRE-IPO GOVERNANCE SEARCH
Pre-IPO governance roles: appointing a CFO, Board Secretary or Independent Director
When a company approaches the capital markets, the CFO, Board Secretary and Independent Directors carry governance and trust responsibilities. We combine governance requirements with experience verification so the appointment rests on evidence.
- Roles: CFO / Board Secretary / Independent Director
- For: pre-IPO and listed-stage private companies
- Offices: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Quanzhou
What each role is there to solve
| Role | Core responsibility | What search should verify |
|---|---|---|
| CFO | Finance, capital markets, investor relations and internal control | Whether they have been through a full IPO or financing cycle; experience of financial remediation |
| Board Secretary | Disclosure, corporate governance, regulatory communication | Compliance experience, regulatory communication and disclosure practice |
| Independent Director | Independent judgement, professional opinion and minority shareholder protection | Independence, professional background and time commitment |
Governance risks common before listing
- A CFO who managed finance at a mature company but never led remediation or an audit cycle
- A Board Secretary whose experience is limited to disclosure administration, without sponsor or regulator-facing practice
- An Independent Director whose expertise does not match the core business, so cannot form a useful view on key issues
- The role defined from the founder's personal experience rather than aligned to the governance structure and advisers' requirements
How we work
- 01
Clarify governance and role requirements
Align the role and success criteria with the listing plan, shareholding structure and advisers' views.
- 02
Verify experience
Confirm the person's actual role and responsibility in previous listing, financing, audit and regulatory processes.
- 03
Design structured interviews
Questions built around key experience, separating lead roles from supporting roles.
- 04
Appointment advice and integration
Present risks and recommendations, and support key governance topics after joining.
Related work
When a company close to IPO lost its CFO, we designed a STAR-based structured interview and worked alongside the client to verify experience and stage fit. Read the case
Related reading
- Our approach to CFO, Board Secretary and Independent Director search
- Case review: completing a pre-IPO CFO and Independent Director line-up
- The governance value of an Independent Director
- Choosing an Independent Director search firm
Frequently asked questions
What does an Independent Director candidate need to meet?
Candidates must meet independence and professional background requirements set by the applicable regulatory rules and the company's articles of association. We handle search and experience verification; the compliance determination rests with the company's legal advisers and other intermediaries.
How early should a CFO search start?
Generally as soon as the listing plan is settled. The CFO needs to take part in remediation and audit preparation, so a late start compresses the window in which they can contribute. Timing is agreed with the listing timetable and advisers' views.