Chief Executive Officer

UK Agri-Tech Centre; Cartmel Fell; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent family business in tourism is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its growth in the Lake District. The role includes overseeing operations across caravan parks, leisure attractions, and retail, while ensuring alignment with family values. Ideal candidates will have experience managing a complex organization and understand family business dynamics. This is a unique opportunity to influence the local economy and community.

Qualifications

• Good experience managing an organization of similar scale and complexity.
• Ability to devise and communicate the strategy effectively.
• Appreciation of family land-based business dynamics.
• Experience in relevant sectors including caravan parks, leisure, hospitality, and property.
• Engaging personality with team leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a long-term growth strategy.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across divisions.
• Drive efficiency, quality, and customer service standards.
• Explore new opportunities for business expansion.
• Act as a guardian of the company's reputation and culture.

Skills

Experience in managing large organizations

Strategy communication

Understanding family business dynamics

Experience in relevant sectors

Leadership and team development

Job description

Our client, Lake District Holdings Ltd owns the various interests of the Wakefield family in Cumbria and North Lancashire. These interests broadly comprise:

• Ullswater Steamers
• 6 caravan parks and Tewitfield Marina – holding 650 static caravans and 110 self-catering and glamping units.
• Peter Rabbit and Friends/The Veg Patch retail business, plus The Veg Patch e-shop
• Rented property including 75 residential units, 4 farms, hotel and shops.

The family’s objective is for the business to be an influential player in the Cumbrian tourism industry contributing positively to the economy, community and environment of the region.

About the role

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a multifaceted generational family business based in the Lake District. The Chief Executive Officer will lead the organisation into its next phase of growth, ensuring operational excellence across our business divisions while protecting and strengthening the company’s heritage and values. They will be responsible for setting strategy, driving profitability, building a strong leadership team, and fostering innovation while maintaining close alignment with the family owners’ vision.

The CEO will have responsibility for: developing and delivering a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable growth across all business units; overseeing day-to-day operations across caravan parks, leisure attractions, retail and property; driving efficiency, quality and customer service standards across all divisions; exploring new opportunities for business expansion, acquisitions and partnerships and acting as a guardian of the company’s reputation and culture.

Candidate requirements

• Have good experience of managing an organisation of similar scale and complexity.
• Have the ability to devise and relentlessly communicate the strategy.
• Have a good appreciation of the different dynamics that drive family land-based businesses.
• Have experience with family businesses and show an understanding of and sympathy with the aspirations of the Wakefield family.
• Have experience in relevant sectors including caravan parks, leisure, hospitality, property etc.
• Have an engaging personality and the ability to lead and develop a high-performance team.

Please complete the form below to download the candidate brochure.

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Apply Now

To apply, please send your CV to Adam Brown, Director at FWB to [e-mail] or for an initial confidential discussion, please contact him on 0131 539 7087.

Contact the team at FWB to discuss your individual or company requirements, or to discover more about our specialist services.