Chief Executive Officer in Portsmouth

McAndrew Martin is a specialist provider of secure-infrastructure solutions for Government and critical national infrastructure. The core services include architecture, design (M&E, Civil and Structural) and construction project management of smaller works and projects (£50k to £10m contract value typically). Headquartered in the South of England, the Company has approximately 60 staff, is profitable with revenues of less than £20m. This is the opportunity to lead and build upon an already successful business, that is delivering high-profile projects and has outstanding credentials as an SME.

Role Mission

A new CEO is sought to lead the Company through its next stage of growth, delivering:

• a clear, differentiated position in its niche
• a strong, aligned leadership team
• institutional-grade project, commercial and performance disciplines
• modern, data and tech-enabled ways of working
• consistent, joined-up leadership behaviours and strong team culture
• a credible path to a high-quality future sale of the Company

You’ll own the strategy, the leadership bench and the performance system – building something scalable and attractive to potential buyers – and you’ll be the principal architect of the next chapter of the Company’s culture.

Minimum Qualifications (non-negotiables)

You must be able to demonstrate:

• P&L leadership of a project-based business of roughly £10–50m revenue (MD/CEO or equivalent divisional leadership).
• Leadership of a business that combines design/engineering, professional services and build/works, with accountability for delivery risk and economics.
• A track record of shaping and upgrading a senior team – clarifying roles, raising expectations and making thoughtful changes where needed.
• Evidence of owning senior customer or partner relationships (e.g. Government departments, major primes, large property or infrastructure groups) and being regarded as a trusted counterpart at that level.
• Clear examples where you have made difficult decisions on people, projects or priorities and can show the impact of those calls.

Preferred Qualifications (advantageous but not essential)

Meaningful experience in secure/government/critical infrastructure contexts – for example, Defence, central Government, security-critical assets or similar built‑environment work (client, contractor or consultancy). Experience working with private equity or similar investors/boards. A track record of leading digital / data / AI‑enabled improvements in an operational environment. Experience in or around Defence / national security environments, perhaps including military service and/or security clearance where applicable. Exposure to corporate transactions (e.g. sale, M&A or major refinancing), even if not as CEO, with involvement in preparation, equity story and/or due diligence.

If you haven’t done all of the above but you’ve led a complex, technical, project-based organisation through a step‑change in focus, leadership and performance, we’re still interested.

Growth & Exposure

In this role, you will:

• Work closely with the PE partners on strategy, value creation and the timing/shape of the exit.
• Lead a multi‑disciplinary team across design, engineering, project management, compliance and business development.
• Build senior relationships in MOD, Government agencies, prime contractors and large property services firms.
• Play a central role in defining what “excellence” looks like for a modern secure‑infrastructure specialist in the UK – including how it feels to work here.

There is clear opportunity for you to create significant equity value and build a track record as a system‑building CEO in a niche, defensible market.

Location & Ways of Working

Principally Based at a Portsmouth HQ and occasional time at a regional office in Monmouth. Regular on‑site presence with clients and project teams will be essential (Defence/Government and critical infrastructure sites). There is flexibility on where you live, provided you can be very present, in the offices and on‑site and with the team when it matters.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive SME executive package: base salary of £150k+ and a very meaningful equity stake aligned to shareholder value creation and exit. Standard benefits package (pension, healthcare, etc.) plus relevant allowances for car/travel/etc.

Inclusive Employer

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you have the track record and appetite to lead a complex, sensitive business through growth and change, we’re interested in your story. The candidate will need either to have UK Government Security clearance, or have the ability to gain it. Also, due to certain security requirements the candidate must be a UK citizen.