Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Chief Executive OfficerPrivate Equity-Backed Growth BusinessAn established and profitable SME is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead its next phase of development.The business has a strong reputation, loyal customers, differentiated capabilities and significant potential for further growth. With the support of an experienced private equity investor, the foundations are in place to build a substantially larger, more profitable and increasingly valuable organisation.This is not a turnaround. It is a genuine value-creation opportunity for an ambitious leader who can harness the strengths of an established, slightly unsophisticated business while introducing greater strategic focus, commercial intensity and operational discipline.The RoleThe CEO will have full accountability for the strategy, performance, people and culture of the business.Working closely with the PE-backers they will:Define a clear strategy and translate it into an executable value-creation plan.Identify where the business should compete, invest and grow.Strengthen the commercial proposition and create a more effective approach to sales, marketing, pricing and customer development.Build the organisational capability, operating rhythm and management information required to support growth.Take full ownership of the P&L, cash performance and delivery of the Board-approved plan.Develop an outstanding leadership team with clear responsibilities and collective accountability.Create a positive, ambitious and performance-driven culture.Build trusted relationships with customers, partners, employees, the Board and shareholders.Assess potential investment, partnership and acquisition opportunities where appropriate.Ensure that growth is delivered with appropriate financial, operational and governance discipline.The successful candidate will combine strategic ambition with operational grip. They will be equally comfortable contributing around the Board table, engaging with customers and working closely with teams throughout the organisation.We are looking for an accomplished Chief Executive, Managing Director or enterprise leader who can demonstrate:Full P&L leadership experience within a commercially and operationally complex SME business.A track record of delivering profitable growth and creating enterprise value.Experience of developing and executing strategy within a SME (sub £100m) organisation.Evidence of strengthening commercial capability, organisational effectiveness and operational performance.The ability to scale a business while preserving its heritage.Strong financial literacy and sound judgement around growth, investment, risk and cash.Experience of building and developing high-performing leadership teams.The credibility to work effectively with a Board and institutional investors.The successful candidate will be:Strategic, commercially sharp and financially disciplined.Energetic, visible and comfortable remaining close to the business.Decisive and accountable, with the confidence to address difficult issues directly.Emotionally intelligent, collaborative and low ego.An authentic communicator who can engage people and create belief in a clear direction.Ambitious for the business and motivated by the opportunity to build something of genuine scale and value.This is a compelling opportunity to lead a small, high-potential business at an important point in its development, shape its next chapter and participate meaningfully in the value created.The appointment is being managed on a strictly confidential basis. Further information will only be shared with candidates selected for an initial discussion.