Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar
Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar

Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar

Edinburgh Freelance Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic growth and digital acceleration for a multi-award-winning fashion retailer.
  • Company: Join a renowned independent fashion retailer with over 40 years of heritage.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible remote work, and the chance to shape a brand's future.
  • Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and legacy building in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role at a transformative time for the business.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience as a senior executive in retail or fashion, with strong leadership skills.

Role Title: Fractional Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Remote (UK-based), with travel to Northern England (approximately 1x per month or quarterly, to be negotiated)

Commitment: Approximately 3+ days per month

Remuneration: £700 per day (plus full package negotiable)

Contract Type: Fixed-term / Fractional / Part-time (with potential to scale)

Start Date: As soon as possible

About the Company

We are a multi-award-winning independent fashion retailer, founded 40+ years ago, offering both men’s and women’s designer clothing, shoes and accessories. With a reputation for curating a best-in-class mix of globally celebrated luxury labels alongside hard-to-find emerging brands, the company has become a destination for discerning style-led customers. It operates both a strong bricks-and-mortar presence and a growing international online business.

The business is helmed by its founders—a husband-and-wife team—who have built the business from a single womenswear store in 40+ years ago, through to multiple boutiques and a thriving online platform. Their entrepreneurial spirit, relentless eye for product and global sourcing, and industry-recognised achievements (including the founder receiving a lifetime-achievement award) underpin the brand culture and ambition for the next growth phase.

The opportunity: to join as Fractional CEO and lead the next chapter of this independent fashion icon—driving strategic growth, digital acceleration, international expansion, and value creation.

The Opportunity

This is truly a career-defining role. Working alongside the owner-directors, you will act as the strategic captain of the ship at a pivotal moment in the company’s journey. The business has had its challenges (as many independent fashion retailers have) but is now entering a period of accelerated growth, especially online; you will be tasked with converting that momentum into sustainable scale, profitability and enterprise value.

In this fractional role you will bring high-level leadership, investment-readiness, and commercial rigour—while preserving the unique independent, curated, design-led DNA of the business.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the company’s strategic growth roadmap, aligned with the founders’ vision and evolving market dynamics.
  • Lead the business through a phase of expansion: growing online sales & international shipping, and enhancing the multi-channel retail footprint.
  • Secure strategic investment or capital partnerships to fund growth, digital infrastructure and potential M&A or strategic acquisitions.
  • Optimize the full P&L: improving EBITDA margins, enhancing commercial performance and increasing enterprise value.
  • Ensure operations, supply chain, logistics (UK warehouse) and brand partnerships are fit for scale.
  • Drive brand-and-culture alignment across physical stores, online, concessions and wholesale channels.
  • Build high-performing leadership teams, setting KPIs, governance and reporting frameworks appropriate for growth and investment readiness.
  • Act as key liaison between founders/owners, investors, board (if applicable), senior leadership and external stakeholders (capital markets, advisors).

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • A senior executive (former MD or CEO) with a proven track-record in UK retail or fashion brand business—ideally household names.
  • Demonstrable experience in raising growth capital and/or executing M&A for mid-sized retail businesses.
  • Strong experience in multi-channel retail: e-commerce (DTC), wholesale, concessions, physical stores and marketplace models.
  • Strategic mindset combined with commercial discipline: you can turn vision into execution, and deliver improved margins and enterprise value.
  • Excellent stakeholder-management skills: you are comfortable working with founders, investors, board members, and operational teams.
  • Passion for designer fashion, curation, brand discovery and independent retail DNA is preferred.
  • Comfortable with a fractional role (approx. 3+ days/month) and able to operate remotely while travelling periodically for key store/warehouse/team meetings.

First-Year Objectives

Secure Growth Funding: Raise a significant sum of growth capital (or equivalent strategic investment) within 6-9 months to fund digital and international expansion initiatives.

Online & International Sales Acceleration: Increase online revenue by 30+% year-on-year, and grow international (outside UK) revenue from existing ~20 % share to 30 % within 12 months.

Improve EBITDA Margin & Enterprise Value: Improve overall EBITDA margin by several percentage points by year-end, and implement a clear enterprise-value improvement plan (including inventory optimisation, cost base review, and scalable infrastructure).

Why This Role Matters

  • You join a multi-award-winning fashion business with a distinguished heritage and strong brand equity.
  • You will work alongside entrepreneurial founders who have deep product knowledge, a global sourcing mindset, and a highly curated designer offering.
  • You have the autonomy to lead and shape the future of the business at a transformational time—without being a full-time CEO, giving flexibility and high impact.
  • This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful company value, set the strategic direction, and leave a legacy as the executive who powered the next growth chapter of an independent fashion icon.

We are looking for a stand-out candidate at the peak of their career who brings with them a lifetime of experience, a CV packed with well-known names large & small and a strong network. We need capability, expertise and visionary strategic capability to elevate this bellwether independent to new heights.

Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar employer: LoveMy Network

Join a multi-award-winning independent fashion retailer that has been a staple in the industry for over 40 years, offering a unique blend of luxury and emerging designer brands. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a culture that values entrepreneurial spirit, you will have the opportunity to lead strategic initiatives while enjoying the flexibility of a fractional role. This position not only allows for impactful contributions to the company's future but also offers a collaborative environment with passionate founders dedicated to innovation and excellence.
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Contact Detail:

LoveMy Network Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with industry folks! Attend fashion events, trade shows, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.

✨Show Off Your Expertise

Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities to come to you. Share your insights on social media or write articles about trends in the fashion retail space. This will position you as a thought leader and attract attention from potential employers.

✨Leverage LinkedIn

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is top-notch! Highlight your achievements and experience in retail and fashion. Connect with decision-makers at companies you're interested in and engage with their content to get noticed.

✨Apply Through Our Website

When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your application in the best light. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join our journey!

We think you need these skills to ace Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar

Strategic Growth Planning
Investment Readiness
Commercial Acumen
Multi-Channel Retail Experience
E-commerce Strategy
Stakeholder Management
Leadership Development
P&L Optimisation
M&A Execution
Digital Acceleration
International Expansion
Brand Alignment
Operational Excellence
Market Dynamics Understanding
Passion for Fashion Retail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the role of Fractional CEO. Highlight your achievements in retail and fashion, especially those that demonstrate your strategic mindset and commercial discipline.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about designer fashion and how your experience can help drive our growth. Be sure to connect your past successes with the objectives outlined in the job description.

Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you build high-performing teams and manage stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully led businesses through growth phases in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at LoveMy Network

✨Know the Brand Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and product offerings. Understand their unique selling points and what sets them apart in the fashion industry. This knowledge will not only impress the founders but also show your genuine interest in leading their brand.

✨Prepare Your Strategic Vision

Think about how you would approach the role of Fractional CEO. Prepare a high-level strategic roadmap that aligns with the company's goals for growth and digital acceleration. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance their multi-channel retail presence and secure investment for future initiatives.

✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills

Given the collaborative nature of this role, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight your experience working with founders, investors, and operational teams to demonstrate your ability to navigate complex dynamics.

✨Demonstrate Passion for Fashion

This role requires a genuine passion for designer fashion and independent retail. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for the industry and share any relevant experiences that showcase your commitment to curating exceptional products and driving brand discovery.

Fractional CEO of Multi-Award-winning, Long Established Milti-Brand Designer Clothing Retailer - Online & Bricks & Mortar
LoveMy Network
Location: Edinburgh
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