Chief Executive Officer | English Speaking Board (International) Ltd
* Full Time
* Ormskirk, Lancashire (hybrid working available; flexible)
* Closes: August 6, 2025
* Salary: £70,000-£80,000 depending on experience
Website
Peridot Partners
English Speaking Board (International) Ltd, a respected awarding organisation dedicated to social impact and learner empowerment, is seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer with strong strategic, commercial, and people leadership skills to drive sustainable growth, innovation and international expansion.
Who We Are
Founded in 1953, English Speaking Board (International) Ltd (ESB International) is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation and a charity with a deep-rooted belief in the power of communication. We offer a unique and accessible suite of qualifications focused on spoken English, oracy and confidence-building to promote learners' voices, inclusion and opportunity.
We work with schools, colleges, local authorities, training providers, and community groups across the UK and internationally, including work in prisons, ESOL learning centres and alternative education provision. Our qualifications are used by tens of thousands of learners each year to improve their spoken English, boost self-esteem, and support social mobility.
Our heritage is important, but we're focused on the future. In a world increasingly shaped by digital communication and global connectivity, we believe the ability to speak clearly and confidently is a life skill that unlocks progress for individuals, communities and society.
About The Role
The new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will lead ESB International into its next chapter of growth and impact.
This is a strategic and visible leadership role, reporting to the Board of Trustees and working closely with a talented and committed senior leadership team. As CEO, you will hold ultimate responsibility for the delivery of ESB International's charitable objectives and business strategy, ensuring that we remain financially sustainable, regulatorily compliant, and deeply rooted in our mission.
You'll bring a blend of commercial acumen, sector insight and people leadership.
You will have a track record of success experience in the assessment sector and/or in education or skills development, you'll be confident in shaping strategy, influencing stakeholders, and innovating in a regulated environment. You'll be a credible ambassador, both within the UK and internationally, and a motivating presence across our internal teams.
Our CEO must also be values-driven, with a genuine passion for delivering results whilst maintaining the high reputation of the organisation for probity and social impact.
Key Strategic Priorities Will Include
* Delivering consistent and sustainable commercial growth.
* Embracing digital transformation and innovation in assessment delivery.
* Strengthening our marketing strategy to ensure a strong and recognisable brand.
* Maintaining our commitment to quality, accessibility and social purpose.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a long-established organisation with a powerful mission and the potential to grow significantly in the years ahead.
Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate will be able to evidence a strong growth-related track record in the assessment sector, in an awarding body or in a sector closely related to education or skills acquisition.
Our next executive leader will either be an aspiring or experienced CEO and possess a strong track record of strategic planning, driving innovation, and delivering sustainable growth within regulated environments.
You will work alongside senior leaders with expertise in assessment, marketing and finance and will be able to lead those working in those areas. You will link their work together in a successful delivery strategy and will, therefore, be able to demonstrate how your track record has prepared you to do so.
Your excellent communication skills will enable you to represent ESB International effectively to diverse stakeholders, including media, industry partners, and clients.
As a people-centred leader, you will inspire and develop high-performing teams while championing equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation. A sound understanding of regulatory frameworks is essential to ensure continued compliance and strong governance.
You will welcome the challenge offered to your work by the Board and will look for such a challenge actively and with transparency in terms of finance, business growth, regulatory issues and strategy development and delivery.
Most importantly, you will share ESB International's core values and commitment to social impact, particularly around learner voice, confidence, and widening opportunities through communication. Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector, digital assessment technologies, or international market growth would be advantageous.
For further information about the role, or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners.
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