Group Managing Director, Water

Description

Group Managing Director, Water
Vadella Group | UK, flexible with regular travel

Vadella Group is a fast-growing, private equity backed platform of specialist compliance businesses across the built environment, covering fire, water, electrical, hazardous materials, building safety, height safety and health and safety. Today the Group brings together eight operating companies and around 550 colleagues, with more joining through an active acquisition pipeline. Each business keeps its own leadership, expertise and identity, with the Group's investment and infrastructure behind it.

As the Group grows, we're organising into divisions, each led by a Group Managing Director. This is our first divisional leadership role for Water.

The division
Water starts with two established businesses, Aquarius Water Solutions in Surrey and Second Element in Lincolnshire. Between them they deliver water hygiene, water treatment, legionella risk management, monitoring and compliance training to clients across the UK. Water is a sector we intend to grow further through acquisition, and this division will be the natural home for the businesses that join.

The role
You'll report to the Group CEO and sit on the Executive Leadership Board. The role covers:

• Leading the division's commercial and operational performance, working closely with the leadership of each business
• Building a divisional operating rhythm that brings in shared standards and systems without losing the entrepreneurial energy that makes each business successful
• Giving the Group and Board clear, data-driven insight into performance, risk and opportunity
• Leading the integration of new water businesses as they join, and helping shape the acquisition pipeline
• Developing leadership capability across the division to support future growth

Key Responsibilities

What success looks like in year one
A clear operating model is in place and adopted across the division, performance is improving against agreed targets, and any acquisitions are integrated without disrupting delivery.

What you'll bring

• Senior leadership of a technical, compliance-led or field-based business, ideally in water, environmental services or a related regulated sector
• First-hand knowledge of the water testing, treatment or compliance market
• Strong P&L and commercial credibility, with the presence to influence founder-leaders and operate at board level
• A track record of leading through growth and change, including M&A integration
• Experience of a PE-backed or fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• A collaborative, visible style that balances Group consistency with respect for each business's identity

About Vadella Bidco Ltd

Our team combines specialist expertise with a collaborative, customer-focused approach, building trusted relationships and delivering practical solutions that make a real difference for our clients.

Powered by Vadella, we are part of a specialist building compliance group, delivering compliance solutions across the UK’s built environment. Vadella brings together expert businesses across water, air quality, lightning protection & height safety, hazardous materials, health & safety consultancy, fire and electrical disciplines.

Together, we provide the confidence, capability and long-term support needed to help organisations and buildings stay safe, compliant and prepared for the future.

This role is powered by Vadella - a growing group of specialist compliance businesses in fire safety, water hygiene, asbestos, HVAC and health & safety, giving you the backing and opportunities of a bigger group.

We assess every application on its merits and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.