Why the Chief of Staff Role is Exploding in the UK

Over the past decade, the Chief of Staff role has quietly but decisively established itself as one of the most important and influential hires a UK business can make. What was once considered a relatively niche position, more commonly associated with US technology companies or political environments, is now firmly embedded within the UK’s commercial landscape. We are seeing founders, CEOs, and leadership teams increasingly recognise that in order to scale effectively, they need more than excellent administrative support. They need a true strategic partner.

Having worked closely with founders and senior leaders across London, Manchester, Cheshire, and the wider UK for many years, it has been impossible not to notice the shift. The conversations that we have with clients have changed. Where previously clients would ask for a highly capable Executive Assistant to bring structure and organisation, they are now looking for individuals who can operate at a broader level. Individuals who can drive initiatives forward, and act as an extension of the CEO. This is where the Chief of Staff comes into their own.

The reality of modern leadership has become significantly more complex

The demands placed on today’s CEOs and founders are vast, and in many cases, unsustainable without the right support in place. Leaders are expected to set vision, drive growth, manage investors, build high performing teams, and ensure operational excellence, often all at the same time. As businesses grow, the number of competing priorities increases exponentially, and the risk is that leaders become reactive rather than focused.

A Chief of Staff provides the clarity, oversight, and momentum that growing businesses need. They sit at the centre of the business, with visibility across strategy, operations, and leadership priorities, ensuring that the right things happen at the right time. They allow CEOs to step back from the day to day noise and focus on the areas where they add the most value. In many ways, the Chief of Staff becomes the person who ensures that ambition translates into action.

The UK’s scaleup economy has created the perfect conditions for the role to thrive

The UK has seen a significant increase in founder led and investor backed businesses over the past ten years, particularly across technology, professional services, and private equity backed environments. These organisations often grow quickly, and with that growth comes inevitable complexity. Communication becomes more difficult, decision making becomes slower, and leaders can find themselves stretched too thin.

The Chief of Staff plays a critical role in bringing alignment and focus. They ensure that strategic priorities are clearly communicated, that leadership teams remain connected, and that important projects do not lose momentum. They often lead business critical initiatives, oversee cross functional work, and act as a trusted sounding board to the CEO. For many founders, hiring a Chief of Staff represents a turning point in their business. It enables them to operate more strategically and build the infrastructure required for long term growth.

It is important to recognise that the Chief of Staff role is fundamentally different from traditional executive support

Executive Assistants remain absolutely integral to the success of any senior leader, and their role cannot be underestimated. However, the Chief of Staff position exists to solve a different set of challenges. While an Executive Assistant focuses on protecting the CEO’s time and ensuring operational efficiency, a Chief of Staff focuses on protecting the CEO’s priorities and ensuring strategic progress.

They are often involved in preparing for board meetings and investor discussions, driving key business projects, improving internal processes, and ensuring accountability across leadership teams. They provide perspective, challenge thinking where necessary, and help leaders make better decisions. It is this level of involvement that makes the role both demanding and incredibly rewarding.

The impact of the right Chief of Staff is often transformational

One of the reasons we are seeing such a sharp increase in demand is because founders who have experienced working with an exceptional Chief of Staff quickly realise the value they bring. The right person can increase the effectiveness of a CEO significantly, not by replacing them, but by amplifying their ability to lead. At their core, a Chief of Staff ensures that ideas do not remain ideas, but become reality. They help businesses move faster, operate more efficiently, and maintain focus on what truly matters.

For candidates, it represents one of the most powerful career opportunities available

For experienced Executive Assistants, Operations professionals, and commercially minded individuals, the rise of the Chief of Staff role has created a career path that simply did not exist in the same way in the UK ten years ago. It offers exposure to decision making at the highest level, involvement in shaping business strategy, and the opportunity to develop a breadth of experience that would otherwise take many years to build.

We have seen many individuals use the Chief of Staff role as a stepping stone into Chief Operating Officer positions, senior operational leadership roles, and in some cases, launching their own businesses.

The UK market is still evolving, which makes this an especially exciting time

While the Chief of Staff role is now far more established, it is still relatively early in its evolution compared to markets such as the United States. This means there is significant opportunity, both for businesses looking to make this hire and for individuals looking to step into the role. Demand continues to grow, and we expect this to accelerate further over the coming years as more businesses experience the impact that the right Chief of Staff can have.

How Lily Shippen supports Chief of Staff recruitment in the UK

At Lily Shippen, we specialise in Chief of Staff recruitment across the UK, supporting founders, CEOs, and leadership teams in securing individuals who can operate as true strategic partners. We also work closely with Executive Assistants and senior business support professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers, helping them position themselves for Chief of Staff opportunities.

With a presence in London and Manchester, and a network that spans the UK and internationally, we are proud to be at the forefront of this evolving market.

Whether you are considering hiring a Chief of Staff or exploring whether the role could be right for you, it is clear that this position represents one of the most important and exciting developments in the UK’s modern business landscape.