Chief Operating Officer
PE-Backed, High-Growth Financial Services Platform
We are partnering on a retained basis with a private equity-backed financial services group that has experienced significant growth through a combination of strong organic performance and a highly active acquisition strategy.
With continued investment and an ambitious growth plan, the business is now seeking to appoint a Chief Operating Officer to help scale the platform, strengthen governance and support the integration of multiple acquired businesses.
This is a pivotal, growth-phase appointment and is being conducted as a confidential, exclusive search given the seniority and market sensitivity of the role.
The Role
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board and private equity investors, the COO will play a central role in shaping and executing the next phase of the business’s growth.
The focus of the role is to build and embed a scalable operating model across a multi-entity, regulated organisation, while maintaining performance and cultural alignment through continued expansion.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing and implementing operating structures, governance frameworks and reporting cadence to support continued acquisitive growth
- Leading the integration of acquired businesses, including operational alignment, cultural integration and adviser engagement
- Strengthening systems, processes and organisational structure to enable scalability
- Supporting both organic and acquisitive growth initiatives across the business
- Acting as a key interface between the executive team, Board and private equity investors
- Taking ownership of operational delivery across a complex, multi-site environment
Candidate Profile
We are seeking individuals who have operated within high-growth, acquisition-led environments and have played a key role in scaling operational capability as a business increases in complexity.
Candidates will typically demonstrate:
- Experience in a senior operational leadership role (COO, Operations Director, Divisional COO or equivalent) within a scaling organisation
- A strong track record of post-acquisition integration, including both operational and cultural alignment
- Experience building or evolving operating models, governance frameworks and organisational structure
- Exposure to private equity environments, including working with investors, boards and governance processes
- The ability to balance growth, control and regulatory requirements in a dynamic environment
This role is likely to suit either an experienced COO from a mid-sized, acquisitive platform, or a high-calibre “number two” from a larger organisation looking to step into a Group COO position.
Sector Background
Direct experience in wealth management or financial advice is preferrable but not essential.
We are also interested in candidates from:
- Accountancy and professional services consolidators
- Insurance or broking platforms
- Other regulated, multi-entity environments
- PE-backed technology or services businesses with acquisitive growth models
What Will Set You Apart
- Ability to operate as both a strategic partner and hands-on delivery leader
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing senior leaders and client-facing teams
- Experience working in environments where pace, change and competing priorities are constant
- A pragmatic, people-led approach to driving integration and change
- This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a critical stage of its growth journey and play a defining role in shaping its operational platform and long-term success.
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