Chief Executive Officer

Location: UK-based, with regular in-person leadership presence and travel

Contract: Permanent | Executive appointment

Package: Competitive executive salary, performance-related bonus and long-term equity opportunity

Sector: Multi-site business services / outsourced operations

A confidential chief executive appointment

Maxwell Stephens Recruitment has been exclusively retained on a highly confidential search for a Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of growth for an established, privately owned UK services business.

Our client has a strong trading platform and an ambitious strategy to increase scale, improve profitability and build an organisation capable of sustained growth. The opportunity combines organic expansion, operational transformation and a selective acquisition strategy.

The successful candidate will have substantial autonomy to lead the business, while working constructively with an engaged Executive Chairman and Board. This is a hands-on executive appointment for someone who enjoys creating value, developing people and delivering results.

The mandate

• Take ownership of business-wide operational and commercial performance, with a clear focus on profitable growth.
• Develop and execute an ambitious growth strategy, combining organic opportunities and selective acquisitions.
• Improve contract profitability, margin discipline, productivity, service quality and customer retention.
• Introduce clear management information, meaningful KPIs, effective forecasting and consistent accountability.
• Build scalable systems, processes and management structures appropriate for a growing multi-site operation.
• Lead and develop the senior leadership team, making decisive improvements where required.
• Play a central role in identifying and evaluating acquisition opportunities, leading integration and realising synergies.
• Partner with the Executive Chairman and Board on strategy, investment priorities and long-term value creation.

About you

You will be an accomplished CEO, Managing Director, COO or senior divisional executive with genuine P&L responsibility and evidence of personally delivering profitable growth in a complex operational business.

We are particularly interested in:

• A demonstrable record of scaling revenue while strengthening margins and operational performance.
• Strong financial and commercial judgement, including pricing, contract economics and cost control.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed, labour-intensive or multi-site services operations.
• Exposure to acquisitions, integration or post-deal operational improvement.
• The ability to strengthen leadership teams, create accountability and lead change.
• A pragmatic, energetic, low-ego leadership style, comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial environment.

Relevant backgrounds may include outsourced services, facilities management, technical or property services, environmental services, infrastructure, logistics or comparable operationally intensive sectors. The strength of your achievements matters more than a particular sector label.

The opportunity and reward

This is an opportunity to shape and lead a growing business with a meaningful degree of autonomy and the backing of an engaged shareholder. A competitive executive package includes base salary, performance-related bonus and an opportunity to participate in long-term equity value.

The position requires regular in-person leadership and travel within the UK. Specific location and working arrangements will be discussed privately with shortlisted candidates.

Confidential applications

Given the sensitive nature of this appointment, the identity of the client and further details of the mandate will be shared only with appropriately qualified candidates during a confidential discussion. All enquiries will be handled discreetly.

Please send your CV to cv@maxwellstephens.com or contact Peter Forshaw on 0203 903 4260.