FluidOne names Neil Kay CFO as restructuring gives way to growth
Graham Dickie steps down after steering the Livingbridge-backed provider through what it calls a challenging trading environment. His successor brings corporate development and private equity experience
- Dickie had been CFO since 6 January 2025
- FluidOne reported revenue of £113m and nine acquisitions when Dickie joined
- Kay has more than 25 years in business services across property and IT, including EDS, now DXC Technology
- Kay has been involved in the sale of three companies
Replacing the finance chief who completed a restructuring with one who has been involved in company sales suggests the owners now want growth they can show, not cost they can cut. The emphasis on organic growth also marks a shift for a business built largely through acquisition, and it is the test Kay will be judged against.
“Neil joins us at exactly the right time to support this reset and acceleration phase”Paul Kahn, chief executive, FluidOne
FluidOne, a UK-based provider of cybersecurity, IT and secure networking services, appointed Neil Kay as chief financial officer on 5 May 2026. He replaces Graham Dickie, who leaves having completed what the company calls the financial restructuring required.
FluidOne says it closed its 2026 financial year (FY26) on budget and that growth is increasingly concentrated in higher-value services, cybersecurity above all, where earlier investment is now winning a growing share of new business. Its stated priorities for FY27 are organic growth, investment in core platforms and systems and a more scalable, data-driven sales and marketing engine.
The finance change follows one at the top. Paul Kahn, previously president of Government Solutions International at KBR, succeeded Russell Horton as chief executive in November 2025. Horton had led the company since April 2018, including a buy-and-build strategy backed by private equity firm Livingbridge. When Dickie was hired, FluidOne was aiming for £300m turnover by 2030.
Sources
- FluidOne, “Neil Kay joins FluidOne as CFO to deliver strategic growth across the group”, press release, 5 May 2026. https://www.fluidone.com/press/neil-kay-joins-fluidone-as-cfo-to-deliver-strategic-growth-across-the-group
- FluidOne, “FluidOne appoints Paul Kahn as CEO as Russell Horton steps down after 7.5 years of growth”, press release, 12 November 2025. https://www.fluidone.com/press/fluidone-appoints-paul-kahn-as-ceo-as-russell-horton-steps-down
- FluidOne, “FluidOne appoints Graham Dickie as new CFO to spearhead strategic growth initiatives”, press release, 6 January 2025. https://www.fluidone.com/press/fluidone-appoints-graham-dickie-as-new-cfo-to-spearhead-strategic-growth-initiatives
- FluidOne, “FluidOne agrees long term refinancing agreement with Pemberton to fuel ambitious growth plans”, press release, 11 June 2024. https://www.fluidone.com/press/fluidone-agrees-long-term-refinancing-agreement-with-pemberton-to-fuel-ambitious-growth-plans
