Work with consumer brands that know what good looks like.
We place senior executives into consumer brands from Series A through to established founder-led businesses, with some earlier-stage roles where the backing's strong. We lead with full-time permanent roles and take on fractional placements when the timing's right. Every role we work on is with a brand we know personally.
You're likely already in a great role, and your reputation is everything.
Absolute confidentiality
Your credentials are never shared without your explicit agreement - and never with a company you haven't greenlit.
Vetted opportunities
We only represent startups with strong runway, exceptional founders, and a mission worth joining.
Off-market roles
Access senior positions at venture-backed consumer companies, the majority of which are never publicly advertised.
We don't work with every startup
Before we take on a client, we do our own due diligence. We look at the roadmap, how much runway they have and who's on the cap table, and we ask the questions a candidate can't easily ask in an interview. Suma was built by a founder who has raised money and run a startup, so we have a fair idea of what a company that's going to make it looks like, and what one that isn't looks like.
If we're not convinced, we don't take the search. That's partly because our name is on the introduction, but mostly because moving to a startup is a big decision and we're not going to put you in front of something we wouldn't back ourselves.
What it's actually like
The upside
Joining a scaling consumer brand gives you a seat close to the founder, a real say in where the business goes and equity that can mean something. The pace is quicker than at a big company, and there's still plenty of building to do. In a growing business, what you do this week shows up in the numbers next month. You build things from scratch, you end up doing jobs you weren't hired for, and you learn more in one year than you would in seven somewhere bigger.
The payday
And then there’s the potential payday. Let’s face it, equity can be a game-changer if the company scales or gets sold. And if you're in early enough, the leadership roles can arrive as the team grows around you, offering quicker progression if you're earlier in your career.
The trade-offs
The reality is, however, that there are multiple trade-offs. The base salary is usually lower than you'd get at an established company, it can lack stability, and the equity’s worth nothing until it's worth something - which might never happen. Hours are long. Priorities can change quickly, and because the situation hasn't happened before, there's rarely a process to fall back on. Some companies don't make it, and if that happens, you'll have spent a couple of years on something that stopped existing.
At Suma, we only work with people who go in with their eyes open and (we hope) never regret it. But it's not for everyone, and it's best you know that.
The roles we place
We work on senior roles only: CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, CRO, MD/GM and other C-level positions, either permanent or fractional. Our focus is on commercial and operational roles, so finance, operations, marketing and customer. We don't generally place technical roles. We only place into consumer brands because that's the world we've built in and it's where our network is. If you're a strong operator in B2B we'll be honest that we're likely not the right fit, and we'll point you elsewhere if we can.
If you're weighing up an offer or wondering what a role should pay, we've put together some benchmarks.
Sectors we work with
Common questions
How do I join the Suma network?
The network is invite-only. Most members join through a referral from someone already in it, but Suma always leaves the door open for exceptional operators without one: introduce yourself through the form on this page. Every member is vetted personally before being introduced to a founder.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Your details never go to a company without your say-so, and never to a company you haven't greenlit.
What roles does Suma work on?
Senior roles only: CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, CRO, MD/GM and other C-level positions at consumer brands. The focus is commercial and operational roles across finance, operations, marketing and customer, and Suma doesn't generally place technical roles.
Does Suma place fractional roles too?
Yes. Suma leads with full-time permanent roles and takes on fractional placements when the timing's right.
Request an invitation.
The Suma network is highly selective and operates on an invite-only basis. While most members join via a referral from an existing insider, we always leave the door open for exceptional, unreferred talent. Every single member is vetted personally by me before being introduced to a founder.
If you're a world-class operator looking for your next fractional or full-time role at a consumer brand, introduce yourself below, and we'll keep your profile active for upcoming matches.
You're on the list.
Every submission is reviewed personally. If there's a potential fit we'll be in touch directly.
Every submission is reviewed personally. If there's a potential fit we'll be in touch directly.
Suma Says.
Suma Says tracks who raised and who moved in UK consumer, every fortnight. Free.