Overview

Chief Executive Officer

Package: Circa £140,000 - £160,000 (Negotiable) + Comprehensive Executive Benefits

Location: UK South West (Hybrid)

Our client are a management consultancy with a core expertise in delivering cutting-edge Digital Innovation and robust Managed Services. Their mission is to empower organisations to navigate complexity, harness emerging technologies, end-to-end digital service and achieve transformative outcomes.

Now, poised for accelerated growth, we seek a visionary leader to architect the future, amplify market presence, and solidify the business position as the partner of choice for mission-critical digital transformation. This is not merely a leadership role; it is a founder-like opportunity to imprint your strategic DNA on a high-potential business. As CEO, you will be the primary architect of the next chapter. Your mandate is to define a bold, executable vision and orchestrate its delivery, transforming our established consultancy into a market-leading enterprise renowned for innovation, commercial excellence, and exceptional client impact.

You will possess full P&L accountability and the autonomy to shape strategy, culture, and direction, driving us from our current success to a trajectory of exponential and sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Architect of Strategy & Vision - Craft and evangelise a compelling multi-year growth strategy, translating ambitious vision into a concrete operational roadmap to surpass £35M in turnover.
• Continuously analyse market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and technological trends to identify disruptive opportunities and ensure our service offerings remain pre-eminent.
• Balance pioneering innovation with operational and financial sustainability, making astute capital allocation decisions to fuel strategic priorities.
• Champion of Commercial & Growth Excellence - Identify, evaluate, and capitalise on new, scalable revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and M&A opportunities to accelerate market penetration.
• Own the commercial engine: develop robust financial models, optimise profitability across service lines, and implement rigorous metrics to drive disciplined growth.
• Ensure our operational infrastructure and delivery capabilities are scaled in lockstep with commercial ambition, guaranteeing unwavering quality and client satisfaction.
• Master of Client & Market Influence - Act as the foremost ambassador, deepening strategic relationships within our core Defence and Government sectors while strategically expanding into adjacent high-value markets.
• Leverage an extensive professional network and personal credibility to unlock pivotal opportunities and position the company at the most senior stakeholder levels.
• Provide ultimate oversight on major bids, proposals, and complex contract negotiations, ensuring our solutions are irresistibly compelling and commercially sharp.
• Catalyst for Operational & Cultural Evolution - Institute world-class, scalable governance, systems, and processes to create a foundation capable of supporting rapid growth and ensuring impeccable delivery.
• Champion a culture of relentless innovation, empowering teams to challenge conventions and develop future-focused, best-in-class service methodologies.
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and agile environment that attracts and excites top talent, united by a common purpose to deliver unparalleled client success.
• Inspirational Leader of Talent & Teams - Provide inspirational and empowering leadership to the Executive Team, fostering cohesion, strategic alignment, and a results-oriented mindset.
• Attract, mentor, and retain the industry's finest talent, building a deep and empowered leadership bench ready to execute the growth strategy.
• Cultivate an inclusive, dynamic, and values-driven culture that is a key differentiator and a magnet for exceptional people.

The Ideal Candidate

• A demonstrable track record of scaling a B2B consultancy, technology services, or digital solutions firm through a significant growth curve (e.g., £15M to £35M+).
• Exceptional commercial and financial acuity, with a proven ability to drive top-line revenue growth while optimising operational efficiency and bottom-line profitability.
• A strategic mindset that seamlessly oscillates between visionary long-term thinking and pragmatic, decisive short-term execution.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, with the innate ability to build deep trust, influence strategic outcomes, and negotiate complex agreements at C-suite and board levels.
• Mastery of business operations, financial planning, and implementing the frameworks necessary for sustainable scaling.
• A Visionary Pragmatist: You inspire teams with a compelling picture of the future but are equally known for your grip on detail and executional rigour.
• An Empowered Entrepreneur: You own the outcome, displaying resilience, calculated risk-taking, and an unwavering ambition to build something truly significant.
• A Connector & Influencer: You are a master communicator, equally compelling in a boardroom, a client workshop, or a company-wide briefing, able to engage and align diverse audiences.
• A Builder of Tribes: You lead with authenticity, empowering those around you to excel and fostering a collaborative, high-trust culture where people are motivated to do their best work.

Highly Desirable Attributes

• A background engaging with the UK Defence, Government, and/or regulated enterprise sectors, complemented by a strong, relevant network of senior contacts.
• Deep, intrinsic understanding of digital innovation cycles, managed services commercial models, and the intricacies of consultancy delivery.

Autonomy & Impact: The freedom to truly lead, set strategy, and leave a lasting legacy on a business with immense potential. The challenge and reward of building a market leader, working with a talented team on complex, impactful projects for prestigious clients.

LinkedIn Business: www.linkedin.com/company/executive-recruit

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually with detailed feedback.

Executive Recruit is a boutique executive search firm specialising in helping organisations source and attract top-tier leadership talent. With a tailored approach, we partner with businesses to identify high-calibre executives who drive growth and transformation. Our expertise ensures clients find the right blend of experience and acumen to strengthen leadership and board effectiveness.