The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Director, International Expansion / Head of Corporate Strategy
5-8 years at Director levelSkills to master
- Building and leading large, multi-functional international teams, owning significant P&L for new markets, presenting strategic recommendations to the C-suite, and navigating complex cross-border regulatory environments.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully launched multiple new markets that met or exceeded revenue and profitability targets.
- Consistently delivered strategic recommendations that were adopted by the executive team.
- Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent in international business roles.
- Strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders at a senior level.
- 2
General Manager / Regional President (International)
7-10 years as a Regional GMSkills to master
- Full P&L ownership for a large international region, managing all aspects of a regional business (sales, marketing, operations, finance, HR), deep understanding of specific regional market dynamics, and building strong local leadership teams.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeded regional revenue and profit targets.
- Successfully adapted global strategies to local market needs, driving significant regional growth.
- Built and led a high-performing regional leadership team.
- Demonstrated strong commercial acumen and operational excellence in a complex international market.
- 3
Partner at a Global Strategy Consulting Firm
10+ years in consulting, with focus on international growthSkills to master
- Leading complex, multi-national client engagements, developing bespoke market entry and growth strategies for diverse industries, managing large consulting teams, and building strong client relationships at the C-suite level.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led multiple high-impact international strategy projects for Fortune 500 clients.
- Recognised as a thought leader in global market entry or international M&A.
- Proven ability to drive significant revenue growth for the consulting firm.
- Deep expertise across various industries and global geographies.