01
PLAN
Your US opportunity is becoming real.
Customers, contracts or funding are opening the door. You need a clear view of the resources and commitment required, and practical steps ahead.
See the path aheadTransatlantic finance & operations
Your Bridge to
US Market Success
Financial leadership and practical US operational support for your growing business. From your first steps to establishing a US presence, Forthway Partners help you move forward with confidence.
A clearer path to your US Expansion ↗
01 / Strategic financial leadership02 / US operational support03 / Expertise on both sides of the Atlantic
HOW WE HELP
A New Market.
A new set of Moving parts
Growing US demand brings new decisions. We help you turn the opportunity into a business you can manage and grow.
A dependable US finance function that feels like part of your own business. We support the recurring work as well as the decisions behind it.
02
ESTABLISH
You’re ready to establish a presence.
Establishing banking, payroll, benefits, state and federal taxes, you need experienced support to connect the pieces.
Build solid foundations03
GROW
Your US business is gaining pace.
More activity brings more complexity. You need financial visibility, operational structure and leadership that can grow with you.
Move forward with confidenceWe coordinate legal, tax, immigration and other specialist advice with the appropriate professional advisers.
Experience behind our advice
Companies we’ve helped grow.
Select a logo to explore the challenge, solution and results. Selected experience from our team’s finance leadership roles.
A practical partnership
Experienced people.
Clear next steps.
Hands-on support.
You work with people who take time to understand your business and stay close to the detail. We connect strategic decisions with the work needed to make them happen.
Start a conversation ↗Understand your ambitions
We start with your business, your US opportunity and the challenges you need to solve.
Agree the priorities
We agree what you need, who will take responsibility and how we will work together.
Get things moving
We put the plan into action and stay alongside your team as the business grows.
Insights for your next move
Thinking about the US?
Start here.
Practical perspectives on planning your expansion, understanding the costs and building your first US team.
The people behind Forthway
Meet the Experts Driving Your Success
Direct access to experienced finance and operations leaders who understand the realities of international growth.
Robert McKenna
Founder & Director | Forthway Partners
International CFO and business adviser with more than two decades in senior finance leadership, helping technology and high-growth businesses scale and expand internationally.
Glasgow, UK · Minnesota, USA
International CFO | Strategic Finance & Business Growth
Rob McKenna is a senior finance executive and business adviser with extensive international experience across banking, investment management, technology and high-growth businesses.
Having spent more than two decades in senior CFO and Finance Director positions, Rob has a proven track record of helping businesses scale, navigate change and expand internationally. His particular strengths lie in combining strategic financial leadership with practical commercial insight, supporting founders, investors and management teams through the opportunities and challenges of growth.
Rob's experience includes playing a key role in the international growth of technology businesses such as Hyble, helping strengthen financial operations, develop scalable business structures and support significant revenue and organisational growth.
As Founder of Forthway Partners, Rob works with ambitious companies seeking experienced, hands-on financial leadership, with a particular focus on supporting businesses expanding between the UK and US.
His approach is straightforward and collaborative: combining sound financial judgement, commercial experience and a genuine understanding of what it takes to build and grow a successful business.
Cheryl Kimmens Franke
US Partner | Forthway Partners
Strategic CFO and US market entry adviser with more than 30 years of experience in financial leadership, operations and scaling high-growth businesses.
Boston · Miami, USA
Strategic CFO | US Market Entry & Business Scaling
Cheryl Kimmens Franke is an experienced US finance executive and strategic business adviser with more than 30 years of expertise in financial leadership, operational management and scaling high-growth businesses.
With a career spanning enterprise technology, international business operations and senior financial leadership, including experience with Oracle, Cheryl brings a deep understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing ambitious companies.
As President and Managing Director of The Cortland Group, she has worked with domestic and international businesses to establish, manage and expand their US operations. Her expertise includes financial strategy, ERP systems, funding, taxation, operational infrastructure and supporting businesses through significant periods of growth and change.
Through her partnership with Forthway Partners, Cheryl provides specialist US market expertise and hands-on financial leadership to businesses expanding between the UK and United States. Working closely with founders, CEOs and investors, she helps companies build the financial and operational foundations needed for successful and sustainable international growth.
Combining extensive commercial experience with a practical, collaborative approach, Cheryl is a trusted adviser to leadership teams navigating the complexities of growth in the US market.
Experience behind the advice
Practical experience. Personal commitment.
Robert’s CFO experience includes supporting Hyble’s international growth into the US. Cheryl brings more than 30 years in US finance and operations, including experience with Oracle. Together, they bring a perspective grounded in doing the work.
A trusted connection for your clients.
Working with a technology business expanding into the US? We work alongside accountants, lawyers, investors and other advisers to support their clients’ financial and operational needs.
A little more clarity
Before we talk.
Who do you work with?
Growing UK technology and service businesses exploring, establishing or developing a US presence. You may already have American customers or be preparing for your first team on the ground.
Can you help after the US business is established?
Yes. We provide ongoing accounting, payroll, reporting and people administration, with senior financial leadership as needed. We stay connected to your UK team as the business grows.
What happens in the first conversation?
Tell Forthway about your business, your US opportunity and what you would like help with. We explain how Forthway works and explore whether there is a good fit.
Your next move starts here
Let’s talk about
your US ambitions.
Where are you today—and where would you like your US business to go? Let’s talk through your next move.
Arrange an introductory call ↗Contact Forthway to find a time that works for you.Robert McKennaRobert@forthway.tech
Cheryl Kimmens FrankeCheryl@forthway.tech