Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

Job Purpose

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for leading the strategic, operational, and financial performance of the company. The role ensures sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term value creation in alignment with the group-wide objectives.

The CEO is accountable for setting and executing the company’s business strategy, expanding into new markets, optimizing operational efficiency, and leading the planning, development, construction, and commissioning of new plants, expansions, and strategic projects. The CEO is also responsible for building a resilient organization capable of long-term success.

Additionally, the CEO maintains close oversight of performance metrics, risk exposure, and stakeholder interests, while providing regular updates and strategic recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Roles, Accountabilities, Measures & Skills (RAMS)

Roles & Accountabilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Execution

• Develop and implement the company’s vision, strategic plan, and annual business objectives in alignment with the Group’s overall investment strategy and long-term goals.

• Identify and execute market entry, expansion, and diversification strategies across domestic and international markets.

• Continuously assess the external business environment, competitive landscape, and regulatory trends to adjust company strategy proactively.

2. Financial Performance & Value Creation

• Take full profit and loss (P&L) accountability for the subsidiary’s financial performance, including revenue growth, cost management, margin optimization, and return on capital.

• Regularly report financial outcomes aligned with the budgeted targets approved by the Subsidiary Board

• Implement strong financial controls, risk management frameworks, and capital efficiency initiatives to safeguard and grow shareholder value.

3. Operational Excellence

• Oversee the planning, construction, execution, start-up, and commissioning of new plants, projects, and strategic operational expansions.

• Ensure delivery against approved scope, timeline, budget, operational readiness, and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) requirements.

• Drive operational effectiveness across the organization by establishing, cascading, and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Optimize processes and ensure high productivity and quality standards.

• Oversee the end-to-end value chain and coordinate functional objectives with direct reports, depending on sector requirements.

• Foster digital transformation and innovation initiatives to maintain competitiveness and cost efficiency.

4. Market Growth & Business Development

• Provide executive oversight for new projects and expansion initiatives, ensuring sound planning and effective execution in support of the company’s growth strategy.

• Identify and evaluate new growth opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), partnerships, joint ventures, and entry into adjacent markets.

• Champion localization and internationalization efforts based on company goals and market dynamics.

• Expand the company’s market share through various commercial strategies and channels, including strategic product development, pricing strategies, and customer engagement.

5. Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure timely, transparent, and accurate reporting to the Subsidiary Board on financial, operational, and strategic performance.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the company and the group, ensuring alignment with holding-level directives.

• Maintain full compliance with all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance standards.

6. HSE, ESG & Sustainability Leadership

• Embed health, safety, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the company’s operations and strategy.

• Drive sustainability initiatives that contribute to long-term value creation and align with the company’s group-wide HSE and ESG goals.

• Promote ethical practices, community engagement, and responsible resource management.

7. Risk Management & Crisis Response

• Proactively identify strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks.

• Develop and implement robust mitigation plans.

• Lead the organization’s crisis management response in the event of market disruption, regulatory changes, or operational incidents.

8. Organizational Leadership & People Development

• Build and lead a high-performing executive team and organizational structure aligned with the company’s strategic ambitions.

• Foster a culture of performance, accountability, integrity, and innovation across all levels of the company.

• Lead talent development, succession planning, and workforce planning to ensure long-term organizational resilience.

Performance Measures

• Financial Performance: revenue growth, EBITDA / net profit margin

• Return on invested capital (ROIC)

• Cash flow management

• Budget adherence

• Greenfield project completion

• Strategic plan execution and KPI achievement

• Board and holding company reporting quality

• Regulatory compliance

• Risk management effectiveness

• Leadership team strength

• Employee engagement and retention

• Sustainability KPIs

• Community impact and corporate social responsibility (CSR)

• HSE KPIs

• ESG reporting

Skills & Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline from a top-tier institution.

• MBA from a globally recognized business school is highly desirable.

• Sector-specific specialized training is desirable.

• Advanced executive leadership accreditation is desirable.

Experience & Track Record

• 25+ years of progressive leadership experience

• Experience in successful completion of greenfield projects.

• Proven success in leading cross-border expansions and operational integration.

• Strong track record in leading organizations through growth.

• Experience working in developed markets such as the UK and EU.

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performance executive teams in complex environments.

Location Requirement

Candidates must be based in the North East / Teesside or be willing to relocate to the area.

Competencies

Threshold Competencies

• Strategic thinking

• Financial acumen

• Risk management and corporate governance

• Decision-making under uncertainty

• Stakeholder engagement and influence

• Cross-cultural leadership

• Corporate ethics and integrity

• Operational management and accountability

Differentiating Competencies

• Transformational leadership and change management

• Social intelligence and cultural sensitivity

• Innovation and digital foresight

• Entrepreneurial agility

• Negotiation and diplomacy at government and board levels

• ESG integration and purpose-led leadership