Commercial Managers - Two Appointments
Commercial Managers - Two Appointments
Williams Trade Supplies | Fareham, Hampshire | Two appointments
Two significant commercial opportunities within an independent plumbing and heating merchant that is investing again, evolving its model and creating greater capacity to pursue growth.
Williams Trade Supplies is an established independent plumbing and heating merchant with 47 trade counters and annual turnover in excess of £110m. Having successfully navigated a difficult period of trading, the business is now looking ahead to a renewed phase of selective investment and growth.
There is a lot happening. The business is developing its contracts operation, growing renewables, investing in marketing and digital, improving product data and online convenience, and evolving long-established approaches to pricing and customer access. Williams remains firmly focused on serving the trade exceptionally well, while becoming more open-minded about how customers find, engage with and buy from the business.
As part of this next phase, Williams is expanding its commercial team with two additional Commercial Manager appointments. The intention is to appoint one Commercial Manager with responsibility for Heating & Tools and a second covering Pipe, Fittings & Radiators, while retaining some flexibility around the precise category mix to reflect the strengths of the successful candidates.
The roles
These are end-to-end commercial roles with genuine ownership. Each Commercial Manager will be responsible for their categories from supplier negotiation and ranging through to pricing, margin, promotions, stock availability and how products are ultimately traded through the branch network.
Williams is deliberately looking for two people who will lead and own their categories rather than wait to be directed. Working with Commercial Director Patrick Skilton, the successful candidates will analyse performance, identify opportunities, develop category plans and then drive them through to delivery. There is an established trading rhythm, including three Price Buster promotional cycles each year, but considerable scope to challenge existing thinking and develop new commercial opportunities.
The two roles will bring different category challenges. Some areas require rigorous attention to range, availability, pricing and margin optimisation; others offer a more entrepreneurial trading opportunity, with scope to spot deals, create promotional activity, move quickly and unlock categories that have not always received the dedicated focus they could justify.
Each of the two Commercial Managers is expected to work closely with a Commercial Assistant, providing day-to-day direction, development and category knowledge. Previous people-management experience would therefore be advantageous, although Williams will consider someone with clear leadership potential and a genuine desire to develop others.
Who are we looking for?
The strongest candidates for these appointments will combine commercial judgement, analytical capability and energy. Williams needs people who can understand the whole commercial equation: what to buy, on what terms, how to range it, where to price it, how to protect or improve margin and how to create demand in the market.
Relevant plumbing & heating merchanting experience would be valuable and will provide a natural talent pool, but it is not essential. Williams is open to strong candidates from other B2B trading and distribution environments where they have genuinely operated across the full commercial cycle rather than within a narrow procurement or sales silo.
Above all, neither appointment is for somebody looking simply to maintain what already exists. Williams wants proactive, commercially driven people who can prioritise what creates value, take considered risks, use their initiative and get things done. One appointment may be a highly experienced industry operator; there is also scope for a high-potential candidate ready to step into broader responsibility.
Why Williams Trade Supplies?
Williams combines the scale of a substantial merchant with the agility of an independent business. Having successfully navigated challenging market conditions, the business is now looking forward and considering where to invest for its next phase of growth: which categories to develop and how digital, contracts, renewables and new routes to market can create additional revenue and profit.
The culture remains an important part of the proposition. The Williams Way places the customer first and sees Central Support teams as there to enable the people serving customers, rather than to create unnecessary bureaucracy. The business values doing the right thing, continually improving and building mutually beneficial long-term relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers.
For both Commercial Managers, that means being close enough to branches and customers to understand what will actually sell, while having the confidence to lead category strategy rather than simply respond to individual requests.
The opportunity offers
· Genuine ownership of important commercial categories within a £100m+ independent merchant
· The chance to join as the business looks to invest and grow again
· Significant opportunities across digital, contracts, renewables and underdeveloped product categories
· End-to-end commercial responsibility covering buying, ranging, pricing, margin, promotions and trading
· Working closely with the Commercial Director and having considerable autonomy to develop and implement ideas
· The opportunity to manage and develop a Commercial Assistant and broaden leadership experience
· A pragmatic, down-to-earth culture with relatively little corporate bureaucracy
· Scope to become involved in wider commercial projects beyond the core category remit as the business evolves
Location and working pattern
Both roles are based from the Williams Trade Supplies Fareham office. Proximity to Fareham is preferred, with the normal expectation being four office days and Friday available for home working. However, Williams is prepared to be flexible for an exceptional candidate based further afield, provided there is regular meaningful presence in the business. Some supplier visits and travel will be required.
Interested in finding out more?
Interested in an initial confidential conversation? Contact Imogen Pearson at imogen@wilsonbrook.com or send your CV to cv@wilsonbrook.com.
Commercial Manager – Tools
Commercial Manager – Tools
Elliotts | Hampshire | Hybrid flexibility
Could you turn an established specialist tools business into a significantly bigger, more competitive operation?
We are partnering with Elliotts, the independent, sixth-generation family-owned builders’ merchant established in 1842, to recruit a Commercial Manager – Tools. This is an opportunity to take real ownership of the tools category, from range and supplier strategy to pricing, commercial performance and the next stage of online growth.
Elliotts has an established tools business, a strong reputation with trade customers and clear ambition to compete more effectively with specialist and online operators. The successful individual will help shape the strategy with the Commercial Director and then personally drive delivery, supported by central procurement, pricing, ecommerce and data specialists.
What you will do
· Lead the tools category proposition across specialist branches, the wider merchant network and ecommerce.
· Develop winning product ranges and identify growth, rationalisation and innovation opportunities.
· Improve supplier terms, buying effectiveness, pricing and profitability.
· Accelerate online range expansion and build a compelling, competitive digital offer.
· Own the numbers, challenge convention and turn a commercial plan into measurable results.
What we are looking for
A commercially sharp, hands-on category, trading, buying or product leader—or a proven commercial talent ready for greater ownership. You will have delivered tangible growth, negotiated effectively, worked confidently with margin and pricing data, and understood how digital channels change customer expectations.
Professional tools or power tools expertise is particularly attractive, whether gained in manufacturing, distribution, specialist retail, trade retail or merchanting. We are open to outstanding candidates from adjacent product-led environments who can demonstrate directly relevant commercial achievements.
Why Elliotts?
This is a genuine build opportunity with visibility, autonomy and backing from a longstanding independent business. It is not a branch operations role or a maintenance buying job; it is a chance to improve a category and help shape its future.
Interested in an initial confidential conversation? Contact Imogen Pearson at imogen@wilsonbrook.com or send your CV to cv@wilsonbrook.com.
Regional Directors – B2B Multi-site Distribution
Regional Directors – B2B Multi-site Distribution
Three opportunities across the North West North East and South West
Can you improve the performance of a regional branch network by developing the people who lead it?
Wilson Brook is partnering with a substantial building materials and trade distribution group to appoint three Regional Directors. These appointments form part of a wider programme to strengthen leadership, improve commercial performance and bring greater consistency to a network of customer facing branches.
Each role offers responsibility for a significant region, reporting to a Divisional Managing Director and leading Branch Managers. You will shape regional priorities, improve sales and margin, control costs and build management capability in a business that is investing in how it operates.
The opportunity
This is a demanding environment with substantial scope to make a difference. You will use financial and operational information to focus attention where it matters, coach managers to take ownership and ensure that improvements translate into better outcomes for customers and colleagues.
You will work across sales and specialist functions, balancing local commercial judgement with group standards. The regional priorities vary, from developing an established team to bringing new managers together and realising a larger performance improvement opportunity.
What you will bring
· Proven leadership across multiple branches or sites, with regional P&L responsibility and measurable commercial results.
· The ability to develop managers, address underperformance and build effective teams across a dispersed territory.
· Sound financial judgement and evidence of improving sales, margin, productivity and controllable costs.
· Experience implementing change, collaborating with central teams and delivering within clear operating frameworks.
· Energy, resilience and practical judgement, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast moving business.
Builders’ merchanting and specialist trade distribution experience will be valuable. We also welcome relevant backgrounds in other B2B branch networks or trade retail where candidates can demonstrate comparable commercial responsibility and established multi-site leadership.
You should live within, or within practical travelling distance of, the relevant region. Regular branch engagement and effective remote management will both be important.
Find out more
For a confidential discussion, contact Jonny Pegler at Wilson Brook Consulting, or send your CV to cv@wilsonbrook.com, indicating your preferred region. Further information about the business and the opportunity will be shared during the initial conversation.
Senior Quantity Surveyor
A senior commercial appointment with an established independent main contractor!
CONFIDENTIAL SEARCH
CHANNEL ISLANDS
Senior Quantity Surveyor
A senior commercial appointment with an established independent main contractor
We are conducting a confidential search for an experienced Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor to join a successful, independently owned contractor in the Channel Islands. This is a growth appointment within the Commercial team, reporting to the Commercial Manager and offering meaningful responsibility from the outset.
The opportunity
- Take commercial ownership of a varied portfolio of live building projects, typically ranging from approximately £2m to £20m.
- Work across residential, commercial, public-sector, refurbishment, heritage and high-quality bespoke schemes.
- Manage several projects concurrently, typically up to four, supported by experienced operational and commercial colleagues.
- Join an informal, supportive and low-politics business where good judgement, initiative and constructive challenge are valued.
Your remit
- Lead project procurement, subcontractor accounts, valuations, cost reporting, CVRs, variations, forecasting, claims and final accounts.
- Control commercial and contractual risk, cash flow and project profitability while maintaining productive relationships with clients, consultants and delivery teams.
- Operate as a senior, hands-on member of the Commercial team, bringing structure, sound judgement and practical commercial discipline to project delivery.
What we are looking for
- An experienced contractor-side Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor with a strong record of independently managing projects through the full commercial cycle.
- Broad building-sector experience, ideally spanning residential, commercial, public-sector, refurbishment, heritage or high-quality bespoke work.
- Commercially rigorous, calm and relationship-led, with the organisation and confidence to manage multiple priorities with autonomy.
- Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline, or able to demonstrate equivalent practical experience; RICS or CIOB status would be advantageous.
Relocation and package
This is a permanent Channel Islands-based role and requires genuine commitment to relocation. Practical relocation support will be tailored to the successful candidate and, where relevant, their family; the employer can also secure an appropriate employment licence if required. The wider package includes a company-funded phone and professional subscriptions, with healthcare after one year's service and eligibility for a discretionary performance-related bonus.
For a confidential initial conversation
Imogen Pearson | Wilson Brook Consulting | imogen@wilsonbrook.com
Confidential Senior Commercial Leadership Opportunity
Confidential Senior Commercial Leadership Opportunity
Wilson Brook Consulting has been retained to identify an experienced senior commercial, category or procurement leader for a newly created appointment within a substantial organisation operating across the construction and built environment sector.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will lead an established team and take responsibility for strengthening the organisation’s approach to category management, supplier strategy and commercial negotiation.
Key priorities will include:
- Developing and implementing a clear category and supplier strategy.
- Leading major commercial negotiations.
- Improving terms, value, service and supplier performance.
- Developing the capability of the existing team.
- Introducing greater structure, insight and commercial discipline.
- Contributing to the organisation’s wider strategic direction.
The strongest candidates are likely to have held a senior buying, category, procurement or commercial leadership role within building materials, distribution, trade retail, or a relevant B2B environment.
They will bring a strong track record of negotiation, supplier management, team leadership and measurable commercial improvement, together with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and lead change effectively.
This is a rare opportunity to shape a strategically important function and become a highly influential member of the organisation’s leadership team, with scope for the role to broaden over time.
This is a hybrid role with regular travel to suppliers, industry events, conferences and occasional presence in a central office. We’re open to where potential candidates live within the UK.
The search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis. Further information will be provided following an initial discussion and completion of the appropriate confidentiality process.
Applications via CV@wilsonbrook.com
Lead Consultant Jonny Pegler
Managing Director — Southern-Based Construction Materials
Confidential Executive Opportunity
Managing Director — Southern-Based Construction Materials
Southern England
We are working on a strictly confidential Managing Director appointment for a long-established, privately owned building materials group with a Southern-based UK platform.
The business operates in practical, site-led construction materials markets, supplying trade, contractor and project customers where reliability, service, logistics, technical consistency and strong relationships are central to performance. It is not a distressed situation; the opportunity is about planned succession, professionalisation and the next phase of operational and commercial development.
The group has real assets, established customer relationships, experienced people and a supportive long-term ownership structure. The UK operation includes complementary materials activities with different operating rhythms, giving the incoming MD the opportunity to bring clearer leadership, stronger management cadence and a more joined-up commercial approach without losing the local, service-led character of the businesses.
This is a confidential leadership opportunity suited to a commercially sharp, people-led operator who combines full P&L ownership, customer credibility and operational grip. The successful candidate will lead through a structured handover, protect continuity, strengthen profitability, improve customer service and continue the cultural and process improvements already underway.
The role would suit an existing Managing Director, General Manager, Regional Director, Business Unit Director, Commercial Director with broader leadership exposure, COO or senior number two from construction materials, aggregates, concrete, mortar, cementitious products, quarrying, heavyside manufacturing, building products, merchanting or an adjacent asset-heavy B2B environment.
The ideal candidate will bring strong commercial judgement, confidence around pricing and margin, experience managing important customer relationships, and enough operational credibility to engage with plant, fleet, logistics, production, compliance and site-based teams. Experience in a privately owned, family-owned or owner-managed business would be advantageous, although candidates from larger groups will be considered where they have proven they can operate without excessive corporate infrastructure.
This is not a corporate maintenance role. It requires visibility, pace, emotional intelligence and the appetite to be close to customers, people, numbers and execution. For the right person, it offers genuine autonomy, direct ownership access, meaningful accountability and the chance to shape the next chapter of a substantial Southern-based materials platform.
All conversations will be handled in strict confidence. The company identity and detailed brief will only be disclosed after appropriate qualification and confidentiality controls.
Email your CV (in confidence) to CV@wilsonbrook.com
This assignment is being managed by Matthew Lambert & Neil Holloway
Product Innovation Director- Stackright & Newspace
Excellent Opportunity to join UK’s largest independent manufacturers of modular buildings!
Product Innovation Director
Stackright & Newspace | Flexible UK Location
Wilson Brook is exclusively retained by Stackright and Newspace to appoint a Product Innovation Director into a newly created senior leadership role.
Following the integration of the two businesses, Stackright and Newspace now form one of the UK’s largest independent manufacturers of modular buildings, portable accommodation and specialist site solutions.
The business is entering its next phase of growth and is looking for an entrepreneurial innovation leader to shape the future product portfolio.
Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, you will create and lead a structured innovation roadmap, identifying emerging market opportunities and taking technically led products from concept through development, testing and commercial launch.
Potential areas of innovation include:
- Renewable-powered modular accommodation
- Battery storage and solar PV integration
- Off-grid power and site infrastructure
- Smart and connected modular assets
- Premium workforce and sleeper accommodation
- Low-carbon construction solutions
This is not a conventional engineering management role. It is a genuine blank-sheet opportunity to build a new innovation capability, influence investment decisions and work across commercial, engineering, manufacturing and operational teams.
We are interested in candidates from modular construction, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, battery storage, power infrastructure, clean technology, construction technology or related product-led sectors.
You will need a strong track record of commercialising technically complex products, combined with the judgement to distinguish genuinely valuable innovation from ideas that are interesting but impractical.
The successful candidate will be commercially sharp, technically credible, practical and influential. You must be comfortable working in a fast-moving manufacturing environment and capable of turning customer problems and emerging technologies into scalable, profitable products.
The role offers a flexible UK base, with regular travel to the company’s manufacturing facilities in Skelmersdale and Lydney, as well as customer, supplier and technology partner locations.
This is a rare opportunity to create something from the ground up, work directly with an ambitious leadership team and help redefine how modular accommodation and temporary site infrastructure are designed, powered and deployed.
To apply please send your CV to CV@wilsonbrook.com
Lead Consultant: Jonny Pegler
Head of Sales | Plant & Equipment Hire | Northern England
Excellent Opportunity to join well-established construction equipment hire and sales business!
Head of Sales | Plant & Equipment Hire | Northern England
A senior hire sales leadership role with a long-established, group-backed business entering its next phase of profitable growth .
The opportunity
Our client is a well-established construction equipment hire and sales business with a strong Northern brand, loyal customer base and the backing of privately owned group. The business is now appointing a Head of Sales to lead its hire revenue function and create a sharper, more structured commercial platform.
This is a visible, hands-on leadership role. The successful candidate will be expected to lead the sales team, get close to major customers, influence hire desk sales activity and build a more proactive, accountable and commercially disciplined sales culture across a multi-site depot network.
What you will be doing
• Develop and deliver a practical hire sales strategy focused on profitable growth.
• Lead, coach and develop the external and internal sales team.
• Influence hire desk sales activity across the depot network.
• Build senior relationships with top customers and grow wallet share.
• Improve KPIs, pipeline discipline, rate control, segmentation and sales rhythm.
• Identify longer-term hire opportunities and attractive new customer sectors.
What we are looking for
• A proven sales leader from plant hire, equipment hire, construction rental or a closely related B2B sector.
• Credible customer-facing operator who can lead from the front.
• Track record of leading salespeople, not just personal new business.
• Commercial understanding of margin, utilisation, rates, hire duration and profitable growth.
• Strong communicator who can bring people through change and set standards.
• Practical, visible and autonomous: structured, but not overly corporate.
Why this should be interesting
• The business has been established for over 50 years and remains one of the best-known plant & equipment hire names in the North of England.
• The role has direct access to the MD, real autonomy and senior leadership visibility.
• There is a genuine opportunity to professionalise the hire sales function rather than simply inherit a finished machine.
• Clear growth levers include key accounts, sales rhythm, wallet share, hire duration, rate discipline, customer segmentation and new target sectors.
• A group-backed platform with appetite to invest, but without the feel of a slow or heavily corporate environment.
Confidentiality and next steps
This search is being managed confidentially. At this stage, the company name, exact location and package details are being withheld. Further information will be shared with suitable candidates following an initial confidential discussion and, where appropriate, under NDA.
This assignment is being led by Imogen Pearson.
To apply please send your CV to CV@wilsonbrook.com All applications will receive a response, but only suitable candidates will be spoken to.
Head of Sales – UK V33 Group UK | V33 & Libéron
An Excellent Opportunity to join UK subsidiary of a group operating within premium interior products
Head of Sales – UK V33 Group UK | V33 & Libéron
Wilson Brook is partnering with V33 Group UK to recruit a Head of Sales to lead the next stage of growth across its V33 and Libéron brands.
V33 Group is a successful French family-owned manufacturer of decorative coatings, woodcare and surface renovation products, with established operations across Europe and products sold in more than 30 countries. The UK business combines strong retail relationships, growing e-commerce performance and significant untapped potential within the professional trade market.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the UK Managing Director, you will take ownership of the UK sales strategy across retail, trade and e-commerce.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing the UK sales team
- Managing national and key account relationships
- Driving new distribution across DIY retail, builders’ merchants and decorator centres
- Growing revenue and margin across multiple channels
- Leading commercial negotiations, forecasting and performance management
- Playing a key role within the UK leadership team
The business has ambitious plans to significantly increase UK turnover, with growth expected through retail expansion, e-commerce and the development of the Libéron trade proposition.
About You
You will be an experienced sales leader with a strong record of delivering growth and managing both internal and external sales teams.
Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Decorative paints and woodcare
- Surface preparation
- Decorating tools and sundries
- Flooring, tiling and adhesives
- Interior finishing products
- Sealants and construction chemicals
- Other building materials & DIY Products
You will bring strong national account experience, exposure to both retail and trade channels, commercial credibility and a hands-on leadership style.
Why Join?
- Respected premium brands with strong heritage
- Significant UK growth potential
- Genuine influence over commercial strategy
- International backing with UK autonomy
- Long-term progression opportunity
Location is flexible within England, with national customer travel and occasional visits to the UK head office in New Romney, Kent.
This assignment is being led by Imogen Pearson .
To apply please send your CV to cv@wilsonbrook.com All applications will receive a response, but only suitable candidates will be spoken to.
