Group CEO

We are seeking an accomplished and commercially driven Group Chief Executive Officer to lead a large-scale retail group with an established presence across multiple countries. This is a pivotal leadership role with full accountability for the Group’s strategic direction, financial performance, operational excellence, and long-term growth.

The successful candidate will drive the next phase of business expansion, strengthen the Group’s competitive positioning, and build a high-performance organisation across diverse markets. The role requires a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable driving business transformation, making critical commercial decisions, and working closely with local leadership teams to deliver measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

1. Group Strategy & Business Growth

• Develop and execute the Group’s overall business strategy, aligned with long-term growth ambitions and shareholder expectations.

• Identify new market opportunities, expansion strategies, and potential business partnerships across the region.

• Drive organic growth, market penetration, and new revenue streams to strengthen the Group’s competitive position.

• Evaluate market trends, consumer behaviour, competitor activities, and emerging retail models to inform strategic decisions.

• Lead business transformation and strategic initiatives to support sustainable growth and scalability.

2. Financial & Commercial Performance

• Assume full P&L responsibility across the Group’s regional operations, driving revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow generation.

• Establish clear financial targets, business KPIs, and performance management frameworks across all markets.

• Optimise gross margins, operating costs, pricing strategies, and overall business productivity.

• Strengthen financial discipline and resource allocation to maximise returns on investment.

• Work closely with the Board and shareholders on financial performance, capital allocation, and long-term value creation.

3. Regional Operations & Retail Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end retail operations across multiple countries, ensuring consistency in execution while adapting to local market requirements.

• Drive operational excellence across store networks, supply chain, merchandising, inventory management, and customer service.

• Review store productivity, sales performance, stock turnover, and operational efficiency to improve overall performance.

• Establish scalable operating standards, governance frameworks, and best practices across the Group.

• Ensure effective coordination between country leadership teams and corporate functions.

• Lead the Group’s regional expansion strategy, including new store openings, market entry, and potential mergers, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships.

• Assess investment opportunities and develop business cases to support expansion decisions.

• Strengthen relationships with key landlords, suppliers, business partners, and other strategic stakeholders.

• Ensure expansion plans are commercially viable and aligned with the Group’s financial and operational capabilities.

5. Leadership & Organisation Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a strong regional leadership team comprising country heads and functional leaders.

• Establish a performance-driven culture with clear accountability, ownership, and measurable outcomes.

• Build leadership succession plans and strengthen organisational capabilities to support future growth.

• Drive collaboration and alignment across markets while empowering local teams to respond effectively to market conditions.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and customer-centricity.

6. Customer, Brand & Digital Transformation

• Strengthen the Group’s brand positioning, customer experience, and overall retail proposition across markets.

• Drive initiatives to improve customer acquisition, retention, loyalty, and

lifetime value.

• Champion digitalisation, data-driven decision-making, and technology adoption across retail operations.

• Explore opportunities in omnichannel retail, e-commerce, automation, and other emerging business models.

• Ensure the Group remains competitive and relevant in an evolving retail landscape.

7. Corporate Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and shareholders to establish strategic priorities and business objectives.

• Provide regular updates on Group performance, strategic initiatives, key risks, and growth opportunities.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and corporate governance standards across all operating markets.

• Oversee enterprise risk management and ensure appropriate internal controls are in place.

• Represent the Group in key industry forums and maintain strong relationships with strategic stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, or a related discipline. An MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification would be an advantage.

• Extensive senior leadership experience in the retail industry, with a proven track record in managing large-scale retail operations and multi-country businesses.

• Demonstrated success in leading business growth, regional expansion, and commercial transformation.

• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing full P&L responsibility, driving profitability, and improving business performance.

• Experience overseeing multiple markets, large operational teams, and geographically dispersed business units.

• Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising, supply chain, inventory management, and customer experience.

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing leadership teams across different markets and cultures.

• Experience in digital transformation, omnichannel retail, or large-scale operational improvement would be advantageous.

• Excellent strategic thinking, commercial judgement, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Willingness to travel regionally as required.