Appoint a general manager who takes ownership and delivers results.

We help SME owners and boards recruit commercially focused, hands-on general managers who take full accountability for day-to-day operations, team performance, and commercial results. Whether you're stepping back from the business or need stronger site-level leadership, we find GMs who bring structure, energy, and control, giving you the confidence to focus on strategic growth.

Executive Search I

General Manager Recruitment

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We recruit General Managers for SMEs with turnovers between £20M and £250M — businesses that need hands-on leadership to take control of operations, drive performance, and free up senior time to focus on growth.

Appoint a general manager who delivers day-to-day control and long-term value

Whether you're stepping back from daily operations, managing multiple sites, or scaling through new product lines or regions, we find General Managers who bring structure, accountability, and commercial focus. Our process is agile, precise, and designed for growing businesses — without big firm fees.

In the past two years, we’ve filled 100% of our retained leadership roles — placing GMs who’ve taken full ownership of operations, improved team performance, and helped SMEs scale sustainably.

How It Works: Our Search Process

Recruit senior level talent in 12 weeks or less.

  • We begin every project with a formal strategy discussion to fully understand your business, structure, growth plans, and the leadership challenges you face. We confirm the scope of the role, commercial objectives, timescales, and fee terms before initiating any search activity.

  • Once terms are agreed, we prepare a detailed Assignment Brief outlining the role, responsibilities, business context, cultural environment, and ideal candidate profile. This document is approved by you and used to brief candidates consistently and professionally throughout the process.

  • We carry out a focused headhunting campaign across relevant sectors and leadership networks. This includes direct outreach, discreet advertising, referrals, and competitor mapping — tailored to attract commercially aligned directors with the capability to lead in fast-paced SME environments.

  • All shortlisted candidates are interviewed by our senior consultants and complete our in-depth Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ). This provides deep insight into each candidate’s leadership style, career history, and operational decision-making — going well beyond a standard CV.

  • We present a carefully curated shortlist including candidate CVs, detailed consultant commentary, and SAQ insights. You’ll receive clear, structured feedback and comparative recommendations to support your selection process.

  • Once you’ve progressed to second-stage interviews, we conduct thorough, confidential verbal referencing. This includes targeted conversations with past colleagues to verify performance, leadership impact, and cultural fit — giving you complete confidence in your final decision.

  • We support you through salary discussions, offer negotiation, and onboarding. Because our fees are fixed and not linked to salary level, we maintain complete objectivity — focusing solely on securing the right long-term appointment for your business.

What sets us apart?

Specialist, Senior-Led Delivery

Every assignment is led by an experienced consultant - never passed to junior staff. We bring commercial acumen, market insight, and real leadership experience to every project, ensuring your search is handled with the focus and expertise it deserves.

Deeper Candidate Insight: The SAQ

Our proprietary Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ) gives you unrivalled insight into each candidate’s leadership style, motivations, and behaviours. It goes far beyond a CV, helping you make better-informed decisions.

Unrivalled Candidate Reporting

Every candidate is presented with detailed consultant commentary, behavioural insight, and performance history, not just a CV. Our reports give you clarity, comparison, and the confidence to assess fit across strategic, cultural, and operational dimensions.

Fee Structures Built for SMEs

We offer transparent, fixed fees designed around the realities of SME budgets, without the inflated pricing models of traditional firms. You receive board-level quality with flexible terms and no hidden extras.

Access to Exceptional Talent

With over 30 years of experience, we have built deep networks across leadership functions. We find proven directors and rising leaders who are ready to create impact in fast-moving, scaling businesses.

Agile, Focused, Results-Driven

We’re an agile business, able to move quickly, adapt to your timelines, and stay aligned with your goals. We typically deliver fully assessed shortlists within 4–6 weeks, without compromising quality or process.

SME General Manager Recruitment Questions Answered

  • A General Manager (GM) in an SME is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, managing teams, driving commercial performance, and ensuring each part of the business meets its objectives. They often act as the bridge between strategy and execution.

  • You should consider hiring a GM when your business is growing beyond the capacity of the founder or senior team to manage operations directly — especially when expanding locations, launching new products, or freeing up leadership to focus on strategy or exit planning.

  • In SMEs, the terms can overlap. However, a Managing Director typically sets strategy and represents the company externally, while a General Manager focuses on executing that strategy and running day-to-day operations.

  • General Manager salaries in UK SMEs typically range from £70,000 to £120,000, depending on the industry, location, and scope of responsibility. Bonus schemes and profit-sharing may also apply.

  • Most General Manager appointments are completed in 6–8 weeks from briefing to offer. Our three-stage retained model ensures momentum, precision, and access to the right leadership talent.

  • Yes. We operate on a fixed-fee, retained basis — with no percentage-based surprises. Our pricing is transparent and designed around SME needs, not corporate search firm models.