Chief Executive Officer

Blair West; Hounslow; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized manufacturer in Hounslow is seeking a CEO to lead their growth strategy post-private equity investment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in strategic M&A, scaled manufacturing operations, and value creation planning. This role involves significant autonomy, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to shape a business amidst exciting growth. Geographic flexibility is required, with a focus on embedding best practices across the organization.

Benefits

Competitive package with equity participation

Direct access to a supportive investment team

Opportunity for board-level influence

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a CEO or COO within a private equity-backed business.
• A successful track record of delivering strategic M&A activity.
• Strong background in value creation planning and delivery across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business at the Group level, owning the overall Value Creation Plan.
• Drive M&A strategy, identifying and securing acquisitions.
• Embed operational standards across multiple manufacturing sites.

Skills

Strategic M&A activity

Leadership in scaled manufacturing

Value creation planning

Process improvements

Commercial negotiations

Job description

Blair West is supporting a high growth specialised manufacturer of advanced components, in their search for a CEO.

The business has scaled rapidly whilst maintaining exceptional EBITDA margins and enjoys deeply embedded relationships with its internationally significant clients. This is a key leadership appointment, as the business completes a Private Equity investment round and embarks on a growth strategy comprising customer diversification, M&A, and investment in operational excellence that will result in a vertically integrated, market-leading Group. Geographic flexibility is essential and relocation may be required.

The opportunity:

• Lead the business at the Group level, owning and delivering the overall Value Creation Plan in alignment with private equity stakeholders.
• Drive M&A strategy, including identifying, evaluating, securing and integrating acquisitions across the UK and internationally.
• Embed best-practice operational standards across multiple manufacturing sites to support scale and efficiency.
• Build and develop a high-performing senior leadership team across key functions.
• Champion continuous improvement, lean principles, and performance culture across the group.
• Lead commercial negotiations with major customers and partners to drive profitable growth.
• Deliver group-wide KPIs, ensuring data-led decisions and strong operational governance.
• Represent the business to investors, stakeholders, and key customers.
• Operate as a hands-on leader with presence across the organisation, on-site 3-4 days a week.

You’ll be the ideal candidate for this position if you have:

• Proven experience as a CEO or COO within a private equity-backed business, ideally at a £20m+ EBITDA level.
• A successful track record of delivering strategic M&A activity, including acquisition integration.
• Experience leading scaled manufacturing operations.
• Strong background in value creation planning and delivery across multiple sites.
• Demonstrable success in implementing KPI frameworks and driving process improvements.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and securing major contracts.
• A people-first leadership style, with the ability to motivate, develop and retain senior teams.
• Willingness to be based onsite 3–4 days per week and travel as required. Geographic flexibility is key to success in this role as it is based in a relatively remote location and will be supplemented by further acquisitions across a diverse geography.

The benefits included with this opportunity:

• Significant opportunity to lead a high-growth, PE-backed organisation with autonomy and board-level influence.
• Competitive package with equity participation.
• Direct access to a highly supportive and ambitious investment team.
• Opportunity to shape and scale a business during an exciting growth journey.

Our commitment

Blair West is an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and inclusion at every stage of the recruitment process. We are committed to fairness, equality, and ongoing diversity training for our team to give our candidates and clients a feeling of belonging during their experience with us. Please speak to their consultant if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during their experience with us.