Novastone Capital Advisors
CEO Through Acquisition
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CEO Through Acquisition
Operator-Led Buyout Program: CEO Opportunity at Novastone Capital Advisors
Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm specialising in solving succession challenges for Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through an Operator-Led Buyout Program (OLBO). Our structured approach ensures lasting business success for all stakeholders.
We are seeking mid-career professionals with the ambition and talent to partner with NCA as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You will lead a capped 24-month search and acquisition process for a UK-based SME, receiving comprehensive investment and operational support from NCA, a competitive compensation package, and meaningful equity upside in your target business.
- Exclusively for SMEs — we do not invest in start-ups or scale-ups.
- UK-focused — successful candidates will identify, acquire and run a viable UK business.
- Ambition-driven — candidates should bring ownership aspirations.
Register for a Q&A session here (mandatory for consideration).
### Operator Responsibilities
Your role as an NCA Operator will cover:
- Leading a tailored search process to identify compliant businesses, aligning with pre-set criteria.
- Collaborating with the Investment Management team to execute the acquisition process.
- Assuming the CEO role post-acquisition, driving sustainable growth through:
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- Strategic planning — defining and executing 100-day and long-term business plans.
- Revenue growth — launching marketing and sales initiatives for top-line expansion.
- Product/service portfolio — refining mission-critical offerings, brands, and market positioning.
- Geographical expansion — directing entry into new markets; designing and implementing market strategies.
- Efficiency & profitability — optimising operations to ensure sustainable scaling.
### Candidate Requirements
### Must-Have
To apply, you must meet:
- 15+ years of experience, including 5+ years in leadership with full P&L responsibility.
- Proof of past success: 10+ years of track record in UK-based business growth or P&L leadership.
- Proven drive toward entrepreneurship.
- Fluent in English.
- Specialised expertise or strategic vision in one or more of these sectors:
- Business Services
- Healthcare Services
- Niche Manufacturing
- Software / Tech-Enabled Businesses
- Distribution & Logistics
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### Nice-to-Have Advantages
Any of the following clinches preference:
- M&A expertise — prior merger and acquisition experience.
- Top consulting firm training — strategy-driven analytical acumen.
- Hands-on experience with SMEs in operational management.
- Founder/co-founder or owner of a start-up.
- Experience in global business development or international expansion.
- Recent business transformation implementations.
### Selection Process
Selected candidates will complete:
- Multi-stage interviews, particularly assessing your investment thesis.
- Online assessments and evaluations of deal selection logic.
- Business case presentation over several weeks.
- Informative webinars for deeper program insights.
Tip: Attending sessions is both informative and designed to bring candidates closer to NCA’s team.
- Final assessment takes place at a 2026 ocular meetings with the investment jury.
- Equal opportunity programme — no history or personal attributes influence application progression.
For details, review our policy and application process at Novastone-ca.com.
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