Managing Director - Designate

Our client is a well-established provider of business information, compliance guidance, and subscription-based solutions serving organisations throughout the UK. As part of a successful international group, the business has built a strong reputation for delivering trusted expertise across a range of professional and regulatory disciplines whilst increasingly investing in digital products, technology-enabled services, and AI-driven solutions.

With an established customer base, recurring revenue streams, and significant content and intellectual property assets, the organisation is entering an exciting phase of commercial development. Continued investment in products, platforms, and innovation is creating new opportunities for growth, strengthening the company's position within an increasingly competitive and digitally focused marketplace.

As part of this evolution, an outstanding opportunity has arisen to appoint a Managing Director Designate who will initially lead the company's commercial and business development activities before succeeding the current Managing Director as part of a planned leadership transition. Following a structured handover period of approximately six to eight months, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for leading the wider organisation, while the current Managing Director transitions into the dedicated role of Publishing Director.

Reporting initially to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for new business revenue generation, sales leadership, forecasting, budgeting and the execution of the company's commercial growth strategy. As a key member of the senior leadership team, they will play a central role in shaping business strategy, accelerating growth and supporting the organisation's continued transition towards a more digitally focused and AI-enabled operating model.

This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious commercial leader to demonstrate both strategic and operational capability. Whilst providing leadership and accountability across the commercial function, the successful candidate will also work closely with colleagues across marketing, product development, finance, customer success and operations, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the wider business in preparation for assuming the role of Managing Director.

Candidates are likely to have operated successfully as Commercial Directors, Sales Directors, Managing Directors, General Managers or senior commercial leaders within B2B environments. Experience within subscription services, SaaS, information services, digital products, professional services or other consultative sales environments will be highly advantageous. Equally important will be the ability to lead organisational change, develop high-performing teams and contribute to broader business strategy beyond traditional sales leadership.

The successful candidate will possess outstanding commercial judgement, strong strategic capability and the leadership presence to inspire confidence across the organisation. They will demonstrate the credibility to engage with customers, colleagues and stakeholders at senior levels whilst balancing commercial ambition with operational discipline and sound decision-making.

Culturally, the organisation is seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial and collaborative leader who combines pace, accountability and commercial drive with a genuine desire to build and develop people. For an ambitious executive seeking a clearly defined pathway into a Managing Director position, this represents an exceptional opportunity to lead the next stage of growth for an established and respected business supported by the strength and resources of a successful international group.

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, Adderleys Executive Search invites you to submit your curriculum vitae in absolute confidence for consideration in the first stage of the interview process.