Chief Executive Officer

Luxuryrecruit; Greater London; On-site; GBP 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Luxuryrecruit is seeking a CEO to lead the turnaround of several private equity-backed consumer businesses in London. This pivotal role requires full ownership of business performance, including P&L, strategy, and team leadership, within sectors like fashion and lifestyle.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience rebuilding businesses, leading commercial transformations, and thriving without corporate structure. A competitive salary of up to £160,000 plus performance bonus is offered.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading business transformations and turnarounds.
• Experience in private equity or VC settings.
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on results.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L and business performance.
• Define turnaround and growth strategies.
• Lead commercial performance across diverse channels.
• Enhance operational efficiency and rebuild supply chain.
• Develop high-performing teams in a lean environment.

Skills

Commercial transformation

P&L accountability

Leadership

Business turnaround

Operational efficiency

Job description

Overview

Sector: Fashion, Luxury, Sports, Outdoor, Lifestyle, Consumer Brands. The consumer landscape is shifting. Private equity investors are backing heritage brands with untapped potential — businesses with strong DNA but underperforming commercially. They need leaders who can see what others miss and move decisively.

Luxury Executive is partnering with several private equity-backed consumer businesses across the UK to appoint CEOs who will own the turnaround. Not manage it. Own it. These are brands in fashion, sports, outdoor, and lifestyle — established names that deserve better than they've had. The mandate is clear: stabilise, reposition, scale.

Responsibilities

You will have complete ownership of business performance. P&L. Strategy. Commercial. Operations. Team. Board reporting. Investor relations. This is not a role for someone who needs a playbook handed to them. You will write the playbook — then execute it in a lean environment where every decision counts. The businesses are small enough that you'll feel every win and every mistake. Large enough to be worth the fight.

• Full P&L accountability with direct board and private equity investor reporting
• Define and execute turnaround and growth strategy
• Lead commercial performance across DTC, e-commerce, wholesale, and retail channels
• Rebuild operational efficiency, supply chain, and cost structures
• Strengthen brand positioning and market relevance
• Build high-performing teams in a lean, agile environment

Qualifications

We are engaging with leaders who have:

• Built or rebuilt businesses, not just run them
• Operated with full accountability in private equity, VC, or founder‑backed environments
• Led commercial transformation — revenue, channels, margin
• Experience across DTC, e-commerce, wholesale, and retail
• Thrived without corporate infrastructure
• A genuine connection to consumer products, fashion, design, or brand

Sector experience in fashion, sports, outdoor, lifestyle, or premium consumer brands is essential. Hospitality, F&B, and services backgrounds are not relevant for these mandates.

You must be based in London or the UK with existing right to work. We are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship.

Compensation

Salary up to £160,000 base salary plus performance bonus. Total compensation dependent on experience.

Location

Based in London or the UK.