Chief Executive Officer

A highly profitable UK SME, specialising in residential property claims management and repairs, is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead the business through its next stage of growth. The company provides an end-to-end service for homeowners and property owners, managing insurance claims arising from water, fire, and impact damage, taking full custody of an insurance claim all the way through to the completed repairs. Based in London, the business has built a strong reputation over more than a decade for achieving fair outcomes for clients and delivering efficient restoration services. The business has revenues of less than £10m currently. This is a pivotal leadership appointment, representing the transition from founder-led stewardship to a fully professional, scalable enterprise. The business is entering a new phase with clear ambitions to accelerate growth, strengthen market position, and build a best-in-class operation ready for a successful future exit.

Your Role and Responsibilities

• Take full executive responsibility for the business, reporting to the Board and shareholders.
• Define and deliver a clear growth strategy to increase claims volumes, revenue, and profitability.
• Lead the transition from an owner-managed operation to a scalable, professionally run SME.
• Drive operational excellence by refining systems, processes, reporting, and performance governance.
• Strengthen commercial partnerships with insurance underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, and property stakeholders.
• Identify new revenue streams and strategic growth levers across residential and managed property markets.
• Improve customer experience and client engagement to strengthen retention and referral performance.
• Introduce relevant digital tools and technology solutions to streamline claims handling and improve insight.
• Ensure robust financial management, margin improvement, reporting controls, and cash discipline.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing team with clear roles, KPIs, and accountability.
• Lead cultural and organisational change to support long-term scale and performance.
• Act as the external face of the business to clients, partners, regulators, lenders, and investors.
• Deliver strategic clarity and operational leadership required to unlock shareholder value and future exit readiness.

What You Will Need to Apply

• A proven track record of success delivering growth as a CEO or Managing Director within UK SMEs.
• Demonstrable experience developing and executing strategic plans, through operational and cultural change.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven ability in key account development, contract negotiation, and revenue expansion.
• Hands-on leadership style suited to a small, high-performing environment – sleeves rolled up, delivery-focused.
• Credibility and network within relevant sectors such as residential property insurance underwriting/broking, claims management, residential block/property management, or large property agent/manager networks.
• Experience implementing systems, improving processes, and embedding performance management.
• Ability to lead stakeholder relationships at Board and investor level, building trust and momentum.
• Background and professional credibility suitable for FCA “Fit and Proper” requirements (existing FCA authorisation or the ability to gain it).

What You Will Get in Return

This is a full-time role with high visibility at the company’s head office, with an expectation that most working days will be office-based. You will be joining a profitable and well-established business at a major transition point, offering a genuine opportunity to shape strategy, build scale, and participate in meaningful value creation. The package includes a base salary of £150,000–£180,000 per annum, alongside significant equity participation, aligned to growth and exit outcomes. A full leadership transition will be provided by the founder-shareholder, who currently runs the business, with the CEO expected to assume full leadership responsibility within the first six months. The start date is expected in late spring 2025 and the role includes a six-month probationary period.

Please note that all applications for this role will be submitted to NET Recruit, who are acting as the selected recruitment partner for this vacancy.