Great Northern Classics (GNC) is the East Midlands’ premier heritage motoring and event destination, based in Derby and operating across a unique 80,000 square foot facility. GNC’s mission is to champion engineers of the future and aims to address skills shortages in the classic motoring industry. The organisation sought an experienced and dynamic Managing Director to oversee daily operations, drive strategic growth and ensure the smooth functioning of the site as a visitor attraction, business hub and key event space. The required leader needed to be commercially astute, mission led and capable of balancing financial performance with GNC’s wider social aims in heritage skills, education and regeneration.
Context
The search for a Managing Director occurred during a vital stage in GNC’s development, as the founders sought to appoint a strategic leader to take the organisation’s performance to the next level and potentially allow them to step back. The appointment was critical for maximising opportunities across GNC’s three operational strands: serving as a destination for enthusiasts, a home for diverse industry businesses and a major event space. The new MD needed to champion initiatives to address the widely recognised skills shortage in the classic motoring industry. The role was pivotal in providing focus and strategic direction to the team, ensuring long term financial sustainability and growth.
Brief
Peridot Partners was engaged to conduct a full search and selection process for the Managing Director role. The client required a visionary leader who could balance commercial success with GNC’s social mission of heritage skills, education and regeneration.
Success was defined by securing an individual capable of managing the large facility, ensuring operational excellence, driving profitability, and fostering strong stakeholder and tenant relationships. Working across the East Midlands, we approached high calibre candidates with demonstrated leadership in complex organisations, particularly those with experience in visitor attractions, events, leisure or heritage. The approach emphasised sector crossover, aiming to secure a leader with both financial and commercial acumen and alignment with GNC’s purpose
Outcome
The search successfully resulted in the appointment of a Managing Director with over 25 years of experience across sports, stadia, leisure, hospitality and heritage events, with a proven record for delivering transformational impact with a values led legacy. The appointment provides GNC with a specialist in people centric planning who can unlock commercial capacity, enrich the visitor offer and cultivate community engagement.
A strong field of candidates from diverse industries was shortlisted, including leaders with extensive experience in international heritage institutions, large scale event management (including the London 2012 Olympics) and strategic leadership within the automotive skills sector.
I’ve been genuinely delighted with my experience—thank you. It’s been refreshing to deal with an organisation that represents people, not just CVs. The process felt personal, respectful, and rooted in understanding the individual behind the application. That human touch made all the difference and speaks volumes about your values and approach.
A statement from the successfully appointed Managing Director.
David has worked in the arts, heritage, and culture sectors since 2010. His career is focused on creating impactful, values-driven experiences delivered by passionate and engaged teams. David is a passionate advocate for developing and leading values-led teams. He has a track record of successfully recruiting teams, supporting organisational change programmes, and delivering complex projects. He knows first-hand the difference inspiring and thoughtful leadership can make.
