CEO – Lead Acquisition of a UK SME

About the role

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) seeks an experienced mid‑career professional to join its Operator‑Led Buyout Program as Chief Executive Officer of a UK small‑ or medium‑sized enterprise. You will lead a 24‑month search, acquire a target company, and assume full responsibility for its growth and profitability.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute a structured search process to generate deal flow that meets predefined acquisition criteria.
• Manage the acquisition transaction with support from NCA’s Investment Management team.
• Assume the CEO role of the newly acquired business and develop a 100‑day integration plan.
• Identify and evaluate strategic growth opportunities, including new markets, product enhancements, and sales initiatives.
• Drive top‑line revenue growth through effective marketing, sales, and brand positioning.
• Oversee product/service portfolio, address gaps, and implement improvements.
• Plan and execute geographic expansions and market entry strategies when required.
• Ensure operational efficiency and profitable growth.

Required profile

• 15+ years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership with full P&L responsibility.
• Executive MBA or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of proven success running and scaling businesses or business units in the UK.
• Strong entrepreneurial drive and fluency in English.
• Deep expertise or strategic vision in one or more sectors: Business Services, Healthcare Services, Niche Manufacturing, Software/Tech‑Enabled Businesses, Distribution & Logistics.

Required skills

What we offer

• Comprehensive support from NCA throughout the search and acquisition phases.
• Competitive compensation package with meaningful equity upside in the acquired company.
• Opportunity to lead and grow a UK enterprise as its CEO.