Chief Executive Officer

Company Confidential; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Company Confidential is seeking a proven CEO with a strong commercial background to lead the next growth phase across a group of established UK SMEs. You will translate ambition into profitable expansion, driving organic growth and acquisitions while partnering with managing directors and founders to turn strategy into measurable results.

This role requires strategic judgement and hands-on leadership, with the ability to move between high level decisions and practical execution, align leadership

Qualifications

• Proven track record of growing UK SMEs through both organic and acquisitive growth.
• Strong commercial or sales background with entrepreneurial success.
• Experience in M&A and integration of acquired businesses.
• Experience in business services, infrastructure or real estate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and deliver growth plans across multiple businesses.
• Strengthen sales leadership, customer acquisition, and key account development.
• Lead acquisition activity from opportunity identification to integration and value creation.
• Support Managing Directors and founders, raising performance and accountability.
• Improve profitability, cash generation and returns through disciplined investment and resource allocation.
• Bring businesses together where shared expertise or resources accelerate progress.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Entrepreneurial success

UK SME growth

M&A experience

Job description

A newly created opportunity has arisen for a proven, entrepreneurial CEO from a commercial background to drive the next phase of growth across a group of established SMEs.

We are seeking a CEO who knows how to turn ambition into profitable growth. With a career rooted in sales or commercial leadership, you will have grown multiple UK SMEs, combining successful organic expansion with acquisitions.

The remit spans businesses with distinct markets, capabilities and leadership teams. Your task will be to sharpen their direction, unlock commercial potential and build long-term value, working closely with Managing Directors and founders to translate strategy into results.

This requires both strategic judgement and a hands‑on approach. You will be as comfortable evaluating an acquisition or setting investment priorities as you are helping a management team improve its sales performance, win a major customer or resolve a barrier to growth.

Your priorities

• Build and deliver growth plans that reflect the opportunities within each business.
• Strengthen sales leadership, customer acquisition, key account development and commercial discipline.
• Lead acquisition activity, from identifying opportunities and assessing fit through to integration and value creation.
• Support and challenge Managing Directors, raising performance and strengthening their teams.
• Improve profitability, cash generation and returns through disciplined investment and resource allocation.
• Bring businesses together where shared expertise, relationships or resources can accelerate progress.

Your track record

You will bring a strong commercial or sales background and demonstrable entrepreneurial success, with clear evidence of having grown multiple SMEs in the UK, ideally businesses with revenues of approximately £5m–£30m.

Successful M&A and organic growth are both essential. You should be able to demonstrate your personal contribution to revenue growth, improved profitability and the successful development of acquired businesses.

Your experience must include at least one of business services, infrastructure and/or real estate.

Above all, you will understand the realities of smaller, entrepreneurial businesses and know how to introduce greater ambition, capability and discipline while retaining their pace and initiative.

You will earn the confidence of established leaders, engage constructively with founders and hold teams accountable. The ability to move comfortably between strategic decisions and practical execution will be central to your success.

Location and commitment

Regular presence across businesses from the Midlands to the South Coast. Access across the whole Midlands & South East region must be accessible every week, along with the capacity and appetite for regular international travel.