Managing Director

Reading | Berkshire

Ready to lead one of the UK's most respected classic automotive businesses into its next chapter?

This isn't a business that needs fixing. It needs growing.

Our client has earned an outstanding reputation within the classic car world for engineering excellence, craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. With an experienced, loyal and highly skilled team already in place, the foundations are firmly established.

Now, as the owner prepares to step back from the day-to-day running of the business, the opportunity exists for an ambitious commercial leader to take the business forward, build on its enviable reputation and deliver the next phase of growth.

If you combine a genuine passion for premium or classic automotive with strong commercial instincts, leadership experience and the ability to develop lasting relationships with discerning customers, this is a rare opportunity to make a real impact. 

The Opportunity

As Managing Director, you will take responsibility for leading a highly respected specialist automotive business with an established reputation for quality, craftsmanship and engineering excellence.

This is not a caretaker role. The business has an experienced, stable and highly skilled engineering team already in place. Your focus will be on leading the business commercially, developing new opportunities, strengthening customer relationships and driving sustainable growth whilst maintaining the exceptional standards for which the business is known.

Working closely with customers, collectors, suppliers and industry contacts, you'll become the face of the business, ensuring it continues to enhance its reputation within the premium classic automotive sector.

The Role

• Lead the overall strategic and operational direction of the business.
• Develop and deliver a clear commercial growth strategy.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities within the prestige automotive market.
• Build long-term relationships with collectors, enthusiasts, high-net-worth customers and strategic partners.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the workshop alongside an experienced engineering team.
• Take responsibility for budgets, profitability, forecasting and overall business performance.
• Oversee workshop planning, project scheduling and operational efficiency.
• Continue to develop and motivate an experienced team across engineering, restoration and administration.
• Strengthen supplier relationships and procurement processes.
• Represent the business at industry events, exhibitions and within specialist automotive circles.
• Maintain the exceptional quality and customer service standards that have made the business one of the UK's leading independent classic car specialists.

About You

You are likely to be an experienced Managing Director, General Manager or senior commercial leader looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely influence the future of a specialist business.

You'll combine strong commercial awareness with a genuine appreciation for premium automotive engineering and understand how to build profitable, long-term customer relationships.

You will ideally have:

• Previous MD, General Manager or senior leadership experience.
• A proven track record of growing a business commercially.
• Strong business development and networking skills.
• Experience within prestige automotive, restoration, specialist engineering or luxury vehicle sectors.
• A solid understanding of workshop or engineering operations.
• Full P&L responsibility and financial management experience.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• The confidence to work with high-net-worth customers and collectors.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building ability.
• Experience representing a business within a specialist market.

We welcome applications from people with leadership experience gained within premium marques or specialist restoration businesses.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to lead one of the UK's most respected independent classic automotive businesses.

You'll inherit:

• A highly experienced and stable engineering team.
• An outstanding reputation built over many years.
• Loyal customers and collectors.
• A supportive owner committed to ensuring a smooth transition.
• The opportunity to shape the future direction of the business.

For someone with commercial ambition, leadership ability and a passion for exceptional cars, this represents a genuinely rare career opportunity.

Apply today and Stewart Lupton at JSL Solutions - Industrial and Automotive Aftermarket Recruitment, will be in touch. Alternatively, call Stewart on 07763004067.

JSL Solutions – Recruitment...The Right Way.

Specialists in senior commercial and leadership recruitment for manufacturers and distributors across the industrial and automotive aftermarket.