Managing Director – Merchant

An excellent opportunity to join a long-established South East-based independent merchant!

Managing Director – Merchant

South East HQ with travel throughout the branch network

This is an excellent opportunity to join a long-established South East-based independent merchant. They trade successfully from multiple locations and offer a broad range of products, from building to plumbing.

They are now looking to recruit a new Managing Director to help take the business forward. Potential candidates should have:

A successful track record of profitably running and growing an SME, multi-site distribution business in a senior capacity
Experience in such a role within the builder’s or plumbers merchant sector is highly preferred and beneficial as is experience with showrooms
Sales/Commercial bias preferred as opposed to operational/financial
Not just day-to-day sales & business leadership & trading. Broader commercial experience: procurement, pricing, category management and marketing
Successful track record of growing a business: Sales, market share, margin; delivered via remote teams
Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate and can cope with the pressure of needing to achieve results
A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach
Naturally strong communication skills – across all levels of the business
Willingness to roll up sleeves and always looking for opportunities to improve the business
To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this
Also interact with and attend meetings at industry trade associations, events and buying groups as required
Based within a commutable distance of the South East (or willing and able to relocate within a reasonable timeframe), with regular travel throughout the branch network as part of the role – this is not an ivory tower/purely office-based job
Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all within the business
A self-starter who can operate at pace – no procrastination here, please!
Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious
Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required
Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the next chapter in this business's long and successful history.

To apply please send a CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com

Area Director – London

An excellent opportunity with a market-leading specialist merchant!

Area Director – London

Market-leading specialist merchant

This is an excellent opportunity with a market-leading specialist merchant. They are well-established with an exciting growth plan for the future.

They have an excellent reputation for customer service and a culture of loyalty, autonomy and no bureaucracy!

As Area Director, you will have full responsibility for the trading performance of their branches throughout London supporting the local branch managers and their teams. We're looking for someone entrepreneurial and innovative whilst also being able to work within an informal and down-to-earth environment. You will have strong commercial acumen, excellent leadership, influencing and motivation skills, combining a strategic approach with the ability to get hands-on and tactical when required.

Prospective candidates should have experience in a similar multi-site management role in some form of trade distribution. This could be builders merchanting, electrical wholesale, plumbers merchanting or something similar, even including DIY Retail. Exact product & customer knowledge is not required. You should live somewhere within London, or just outside. You should understand the different levers that can be applied to increase turnover and profitability whilst ensuring excellent customer service, good branch standards and stock control.

This is an autonomous role with the support of a well-defined structure and an experienced Managing Director. This is a growing business adapting to the challenges and opportunities the sector faces, opening new branches and investing in new product categories and routes to market. It’s an exciting time to join!

To apply send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com

Head of Operations & Service – equipment rental business

An Excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist equipment rental business!

Head of Operations & Service - Specialist equipment rental business

Based North Nottinghamshire

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established specialist equipment rental business and help improve and grow it! The business is part of an independent group with businesses in related sectors. They are happy to invest in a number of areas:

New equipment
Improved sales & marketing strategy
Strengthening the team

Trading from a central location, they have a good reputation for customer service, specialist equipment and a committed and experienced team. They have an exciting strategy for growth.

They’re looking to strengthen their leadership team with a high-calibre Head of Operations & Service to oversee the following:

Engineering Strategy & Technical Leadership
Asset Management & Operational Efficiency, Service & Refurbishment
Team Leadership & Development
Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance
Technical Support & Customer Engagement

Potential candidates should have:

A successful track record of running and improving the engineering/operations/service & aftermarket functions within a specialist electro-mechanical equipment/plant sales/rental business, or something closely related,
7+ years of engineering leadership experience within industrial equipment sectors: this could be generators, pumps, compressors, HVACR, welfare/site accommodation or something similar
Experience with remote monitoring systems, telemetry, and diagnostics is highly desirable.
Strong project management and organisational skills.
Demonstrated success in managing teams, suppliers, and technical service operations.
Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, engage with people throughout the business
You must live within a reasonably commuting distance of the North Nottinghamshire. The nature of the business and this role requires visible leadership.

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it

To apply, send your CV to ethan@wilsonbrook.com

Sales Director: building products distribution

Exceptional opportunity to join a respected and high-performing organisation!

Sales Director: building products distribution

Growth via a combination of increasing market share via their current & new trade counters, product diversification, e-commerce and national distribution.
Strategic and analytical approach required.
Candidates living along the M5/M4 corridors are preferred for ease of access to the HQ, but there will be national travel as the business expands.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially astute Sales Director to join a respected and high-performing organisation at a transformative stage in its journey. With over 30 years of industry heritage, our client is a well-established leader in the building products sector, known for its high-quality exterior and interior solutions and a reputation built on reliability, service, and lasting customer relationships.

Currently operating from a small number of trade counters, the business is embarking on a dynamic and ambitious phase of UK-wide expansion. This includes the development of a national distribution network and the rollout of its unique, trademarked product range across new territories. Significant investment is being made in infrastructure, systems, and—crucially—people as the business scales to meet growing demand and unlock new markets.

The Sales Director will be central in shaping and executing the commercial strategy, driving growth through existing channels and new business development. This is a rare chance to have true commercial influence within a nimble and ambitious leadership team along with potential succession planning and equity opportunities.

This is more than a job—it's a chance to be part of something special. The business prides itself on its supportive, close-knit culture, underpinned by a strong emphasis on employee well-being, development, and progression. If you're a sales leader ready to make a real impact, with the vision and drive to help shape the next chapter of a growing success story, this role offers the platform—and the rewards—to do just that.

Potential candidates should have a successful track record in a similar role within building products distribution across multiple routes to market.

To apply send your CV to matt@wilsonbrook.com

UK & Ireland SD – technical building products

Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business!

UK & Ireland Sales Director – technical building products manufacturer, part of an international group

Significant growth plans
National role, with North West HQ, hybrid working

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing business and a well-regarded brand within the building products industry. The group has a proud history and an impressive track record of success. They have a strong product range, are financially secure and well placed for further growth through innovation and NPD. In addition, they have well-defined values and a leading ESG proposition.

Indeed, they see plenty of opportunities for growth and improvement, broadening their routes to market, especially within commercial and housebuilding.

Hence, they are looking to recruit an experienced and successful Sales Director, reporting to the MD, to develop and deliver the sales strategy. There will be continued investment in manufacturing capacity, people and products.

Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar Sales Director role within an international, branded technical building products manufacturer. Specific product or category knowledge is not essential. We’re looking for individuals who understand multiple routes to market and can help the business improve its processes and systems. It almost goes without saying that you’ll also need excellent leadership, coaching and development skills with the ability to lead from the front.

You should ideally be within reasonable commuting distance of the North West or at least be prepared to spend time there when required.

To apply send your CV to jonny@wilsonbrook.com

MD – Capital Equipment Sale, Rental & Service

An Excellent opportunity to grow a long-established SME business!

Managing Director – Capital Equipment Sale, Rental & Service

Based Midlands

This is an excellent opportunity to grow a long-established SME business. There is good growth potential across the multiple markets they serve. The business is family-owned and well invested. They are long-term owners who trust their business managers to run their business as if they were their own. They are happy to invest in a number of areas:

Increasing the size of the fleet, including new technologies
Improved sales & marketing strategy
Expanding the team

Trading from a modern central location they have a great reputation for customer service, a high quality fleet of equipment, and a prestigious track record of major projects, supplying a number of growing markets.

With the right leader this business could expand considerably. There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of the owner.

Potential candidates should have:

A successful track record of profitably running and growing a specialist capital equipment sale and hire business, as Managing Director or another senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. Specific experience in their exact products is not essential
Can successfully operate in a growing SME company environment.
A proactive, inquisitive, common sense approach
Positive communication skills.
Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business
To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this. Knowledge of various industrial markets is an advantage
A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please!
Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge
Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, and engage with people throughout the business
Commercially and financially aware
You will own the P&L and be responsible for creating and delivering the strategy to achieve this.
You must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the South Midlands. There will be travel throughout the UK and occasionally internationally within the role.

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it. Be your own boss and be a key part of the successful growth of this company.

To apply send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com

MD – multi-site/multi-product trade distribution into RMI

An excellent opportunity to lead a subsidiary of a long-established regional business!

MD – multi-site/multi-product trade distribution into RMI & Regional Developers/House Builders/Contractors/Public

Southern-based business – supplying throughout the South, South East, Home Counties and into the Midlands
Huge growth potential given the wider business's huge customer base
An experienced leader of a business/business unit that supplies interior products or services to medium-sized builders/regional HB/Developers.
Entrepreneurial/creative/driven/innovative/ambitious/collaborative (with the wider business), customer focused, results orientated, not just strategic but action-focused/energetic & positive.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a subsidiary of a long-established regional business. They have a long history combined with a track record of growth (both organic and acquisitive) in recent years. The next few years could be even more exciting for them!

This is a broad role with full P&L and strategic responsibility to grow this business with support and investment from the parent company.

This is a key role and, needless to say, a very important piece of recruitment with a desire for a successful long-term appointment.

Personality type and cultural fit is even more important than the company’s potential candidates have worked for. The senior team (and indeed the entire business) would benefit from someone with high dominance and drive with an ability to challenge colleagues to ensure the business achieves its desired results.

The business has a fantastic opportunity to get more out of what they already have. It is estimated that from their top customers, they’re currently getting c25% of their spend. The goal is to increase this to 80%! To do this, the successful candidate will need to implement more discipline, structure and rigour without negatively affecting the culture which makes the business so special and why employees tend to stay for so long.

Potential candidates should be/have:

Mid-career, with enough experience with a successful track record in a similar role (although we’re also open to someone with the right ability stepping up into this level for the first time)
Know how to maximise trading and margin opportunities: cross-selling, up-selling, bundling etc. Delivering that strategy through diverse teams
A good understanding of how such a business works. B2B or B2C multi-depot, multi-products into a variety of clients. We have a very open mind in terms of industry background – as mentioned, the personality & cultural fit is more important. Interior product would be useful: bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, surfaces, lighting etc.
An appreciation of the balance between providing an excellent service whilst improving margin
A track record of improving sales to existing customers within such organisations. Although it should be noted that this is not the business's sales leadership role. Ultimately, the whole business needs to be more sales-focused (in a profitable manner!)
An inspiring and engaging leadership style, creating confidence and demonstrating credibility
An ability to work at pace and successfully deliver the strategy
An appreciation of the nature of a family-owned business with a long history and long-serving employees
Resilience and tenacity
Excited by the challenge
Located within or easily commutable to the trading area (Southern England) and able to travel throughout the region and the network. This is a visible leadership role; an ivory tower approach will not work! HQ is south of the M4.
Excellent communication skills
High levels of emotional intelligence
Able to cope with ambiguity, open-minded and flexible – helping to shape the full scope of the role and how it works alongside the rest of the senior team
Able to balance risk and reward
Know enough detail, but not be consumed by it

The Bottom Line

This is not a turnaround situation, nor does it require a revolution. It’s about building on what you have, improving it and identifying further areas for growth. The business is well placed with a capable senior team.

There is a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package. To apply please send your CV to imogen@wilsonbrook.com

E P Barrus: Head of Industrial

Excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business!

E P Barrus: Head of Industrial

Grow business across multiple products and customer channels
Broad range of products with new, innovative technology being introduced all the time
Strategic and analytical approach required, along with leadership of the highest calibre

Candidates based within commutable distance of their Bicester Head Office are preferred, with relocation support available for those further afield. Although the role naturally requires some national travel, it is an office based role

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and well-regarded business. It has a proud history and an impressive track record of success and growth. It has an excellent product range developed through strong relationships with global suppliers of leading brands. It is financially secure and well-placed for further growth. It already has strong relationships with customers across numerous channels.

Barrus operates across three diverse market sectors Marine, Outdoor and Industrial and is one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of engines, engine-powered equipment, garden tools and accessories.

Partnering with leading global companies including Stanley Black and Decker, Brunswick, Yanmar, John Deere and representing over 60 brands, the company’s approach has been and continues to be to source, develop and build a portfolio of innovative, premium brands to service the needs of its customers.

This is what makes Barrus ‘The Power Behind the Brands’.

Despite their success, they are not resting on their laurels. They see lots of opportunities for growth and improvement.

Industry legend John Day is retiring so they are now looking to recruit a successor to lead their Industrial Division. Reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for developing and delivering their growth strategy via an long-established expert team. With continued investment in people and products, they have the foundations in place, along with a supportive senior team and a positive family-feel culture.

The Industrial Division helps customers across construction, agriculture, military, railways, and more find the right engine for their needs. Whether it’s a bespoke one-off project or high-volume production, their expert engineers are there to guide customers every step of the way. They also offer application testing, ensuring customers have the accurate data needed to make informed decisions.

Suitable candidates should have a successful track record in a similar senior leadership role in an industrial product supply environment. Experience selling similar products to similar customers is beneficial, but we’re also open to individuals with other rotating equipment experience, whether from a manufacturer or distributor.

We’re looking for individuals with an analytical and strategic approach, who can combine sales and technical understanding with credibility, leadership, and gravitas. You’ll also need plenty of energy, drive, and dynamism. While not essential, an Engineering qualification would be advantageous.

Candidates living within commutable distance of their Bicester head office are highly preferred, although this role will involve national and international travel, customer and supplier meetings, and attendance at events, trade shows, and conferences. When not travelling, you will be in the Head Office providing visible leadership to the team in this division and collaborating with the rest of the senior team and the other functions within the business. Relocation support can be provided for those outside of a reasonable commuting distance.

For more information visit:

https://www.barrus.co.uk/

https://www.barrus.co.uk/divisions/industrial/

To apply send your CV to Neil Holloway at retained consultants Wilson Brook, via neil@wilsonbrook.com or Matt Lambert via matt@wilsonbrook.com

Any direct applications to E P Barrus will be forwarded to Wilson Brook to go through their process