Managing Director / CEO

ACCA Careers; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading corporate services firm in London is seeking a CEO to lead the company through its growth phase. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in professional services and a strong understanding of UK corporate regulations. This role includes defining strategic plans, managing operations, and enhancing client and stakeholder engagement. A competitive salary between £60k-£100k is offered, along with performance bonuses and professional development support.

Benefits

Annual performance-related bonus

Equity participation potential

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within professional or financial services.
• Strong understanding of UK corporate compliance, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Track record of scaling businesses and implementing operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company’s long-term strategic plan.
• Identify and pursue new market opportunities.
• Oversee delivery of all service lines and ensure client satisfaction.
• Assist with regulatory application and supervise secretarial operations.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and KPI monitoring.

Skills

Strategic acumen

Stakeholder management

Interpersonal skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Law, or related

ACA, ACCA, ICSA (CGI), CIMA or similar

MBA or strategic leadership training

Job description

About Lantern Corporate Services

Lantern Corporate Services provides specialist accounting, company secretarial, and governance support to a broad range of clients, from fast-growing SMEs to listed entities. Our reputation is built on precision, discretion, and forward-thinking advisory.

Role Overview

We are seeking a commercially astute and strategically minded CEO to lead Lantern Corporate Services into its next phase of growth. This is a pivotal leadership role that requires a balance of strong operational oversight, regulatory awareness, people management, and business development. The CEO will be responsible for executing the firm’s strategy, ensuring delivery of high-quality services, maintaining compliance standards, and fostering a high-performance culture aligned with our core values of professionalism, trust, and excellence.

Key Responsibilities/ Strategic Leadership

• Help to define and execute the company’s long-term strategic plan in alignment with board objectives.
• Identify and pursue new market opportunities in corporate services, secretarial support, and insourced / outsourced accounting.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives to streamline operations and enhance client experience.
  
  

Operational & Financial Oversight

• Oversee delivery of all service lines, ensuring client satisfaction and regulatory compliance.
• Work closely with team to maintain operational excellence and service consistency.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and KPI monitoring across the business.
• Ability to lead the development of internal controls and procedures
  
  

Governance & Compliance

• Assist with the regulatory application with the ACCA or other suitable professional body
• Supervise company secretarial operations for clients, including board support, statutory filings, and recordkeeping.
  
  

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work alongside the Board to help develop new business.
• Represent Lantern with clients, regulators, partners, and investors, enhancing the company’s visibility and reputation.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships and ensure excellent standards of communication and service.
• Provide thought leadership on accounting, compliance, and governance matters to clients and staff alike.
  
  

Leadership & Team Development

• Cultivate a motivated, ethical, and skilled leadership team.
• Promote internal training, compliance awareness, and staff development.
• Build a values-driven, collaborative culture within a high-performing environment.
  
  

Candidate Profile / Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role within professional or financial services, ideally in an accounting firm.
• Strong understanding of UK corporate compliance, board governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Track record of scaling a business, implementing operational improvements, and delivering growth
  
  

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Law, or a related discipline
• ACA, ACCA, ICSA (CGI), CIMA or similar professional qualification is required.
• MBA or equivalent strategic leadership training is desirable.
  
  

Skills & Attributes

• Commercially savvy with strategic acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• High integrity and professional ethics, especially in handling confidential and regulated matters.
• Resilient and adaptive, with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach.
  
  

Remuneration & Benefits

• Competitive base salary £60k-£100k (dependent on experience)
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Equity participation potential
• Professional development support
  
  

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK.