Next Fifteen has named former Bell Pottinger finance director Peter Harris to take over as interim chief financial officer, following the resignation of David Dewhurst last month.

The parent company to firms like M Booth and Text 100  makes the move as it works to get its financial house in order following an embezzlement scheme at its Bite PR unit and sharp profit decline in the third quarter.

Harris is wrapping up a six-month interim CFO stint at Centaur Media in London and held that same role at Bell Pottinger Group after its split from Chime in 2012-13. He held finance director slots at The Engine Group, 19 Entertainment and Capital Radio.

Dewhurst is stepping down after 14 years at Next Fifteen.