CEO Through Acquisition UK 2026

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm headquartered in Switzerland.

We solve succession challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through our Operator‑Led Search Fund program. We are looking for motivated, talented, aspirational mid‑career professionals who want to partner with NCA as the Chief Executive Officer of a company that will be acquired during your search and through to its operations.

Your search will last up to 24 months. You will receive access to NCA’s financial and business support, and an attractive incentive package that includes a base compensation and vested shares in the acquired company. Successful candidates will search, acquire, and manage a company in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Establish a search process to generate sufficient deal flow with the ultimate goal of finding a business to acquire in accordance with pre‑defined criteria;
• Manage the acquisition process with support from our experienced investment team;
• Step into the CEO role of the newly acquired business;
• Proactively generate and evaluate strategic growth options and business opportunities; develop long‑term business strategy and 100‑day plans;
• Grow the business top line via impactful marketing and sales initiatives;
• Build a culture that embraces innovation and digital transformation;
• Review product/service offerings, portfolio strategies, existing brand positioning, identify gaps and implement improvements;
• Identify value creation opportunities, design new product/service (NPD), define go‑to‑market strategy, and organise commercial launch;
• Manage geographical expansions when required, preparing and successfully implementing market entry strategies;
• Manage efficiencies and ensure profitable growth.

Requirements

Must‑have

• 10+ years of professional experience;
• Academic achievement (Executive MBA or MBA degree preferred);
• Minimum 5+ years in leadership roles managing multiple teams across multiple geographies and locations;
• Minimum 5+ years of proven track record of running and growing businesses or large business units;
• P&L responsibility;
• Having a strategic vision for a sector or an industry;
• Strong motivation toward entrepreneurship;
• Lived and worked in the UK for the last 10 years.

Nice‑to‑have

• M&A experience;
• Consulting experience from a top consulting firm;
• Experience managing and operating an SME;
• Owner, Founder or co‑Founder of a Start‑up;
• Experience in global business development, international expansion;
• Recent successful business transformation experience;
• Open mind towards learning, people and even failure.

Benefits & Program Details

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm headquartered in Switzerland that solves succession challenges faced by SMEs through our Operator‑Led Search Fund program. We closely partner with experienced, mid‑career professionals with deep industry experience to locate, acquire, and grow small privately held companies. Our selection process for the program is highly competitive and includes several virtual interviews, case assignments and personality assessments.

We do not invest in start‑ups or scale‑ups and the program excludes distressed companies and turnarounds.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an Equal Opportunity program, and all submitted CVs pass through the same application process, regardless of gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, race, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, or any other non‑merit factor.