Livingston James Partners with ICS Learn to Appoint Director of Sales

Livingston James is delighted to be partnered with ICS Learn once again to appoint a new Director of Sales, following the promotion of the previous Director of Sales, David Macfarlane, into the CEO role.

For over 130 years, ICS Learn has helped millions of students and global businesses develop in-demand professional skills with unrivalled flexibility and support, allowing them to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.

Headquartered in Scotland and with learners in over 100 countries, ICS Learn is trusted by individual, self-funded learners and by company-funded employees of organisations such as EY, Sopra Steria and the NHS.

Courses offered cover HR and L&D, Accounting & Finance, High School and Business Management subjects and are delivered in partnership with leading awarding bodies such as CIPD, AAT, CMI, CIPS and PRINCE2. Offering over 50 professional qualifications, all delivered digitally, ICS Learn holds No. 1 market position in each subject area and boasts exceptional exam pass rates.

The opportunity for a new Director of Sales has arisen following the promotion of the previous Director of Sales to CEO. The business has experienced significant change in recent years, including international expansion into the Middle East, and is now entering its next phase of commercial development.

The Director of Sales will lead and evolve ICS Learn’s commercial function, with full accountability for revenue performance, go-to-market strategy, and sales transformation across the UK and Middle East.

This is both a strategic and operational leadership role. The successful candidate will be expected to take a hands-on approach in the early stages, working closely with the SMT, Sales Manager and wider organisation to deeply understand current performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement change at pace.

The role requires a high-impact commercial leader with a proven track record of driving growth and transformation. Candidates must be comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level; able to define a clear vision for growth, while also rolling up their sleeves to diagnose issues, implement change, and drive results.

Candidates must have a proven ability to lead and manage the full commercial function, with clear accountability for revenue performance and stakeholder alignment, whilst also demonstrating a track record of developing and executing commercial growth strategies that deliver measurable business impact.

On offer is a competitive base salary with bonus, MIP and other attractive benefits.

Please view the full Position Profile below, and contact our retained advisor, Ali Shaw, for a confidential discussion [email protected].

Any applications or third-party introductions to ICS Learn will be forwarded to Livingston James for consideration.

ICS Learn is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.

ICS Learn – Director of Sales – click to open

Can we help?

If you are looking for leadership advisory or recruitment support, please get in touch with our team of experts.

More Articles...

The HR-CEO Paradox: Right Skills, Wrong Pathways

Despite possessing skills increasingly valued in modern leadership, such as emotional intelligence, change leadership, and organisational capability, HR leaders rarely progress to CEO roles. Livingston James Director, Ali Shaw recently shared insights from our latest research report in association with EY: The Future CEO Report, and how these findings can support succession planning for HR leaders.

Livingston James is Delighted to Partner with East Park to Appoint Chief Executive

East Park is a well‑established Scottish charity delivering specialist education and care services for children and young people with complex support needs. The organisation has a long history of providing safe, nurturing environments that enable young people to develop, grow, and prepare for adulthood.

The Chief Executive will lead the organisation overall, setting clear strategic direction and overseeing day‑to‑day delivery, while working closely with the Board to secure East Park’s long‑term sustainability and positive impact.

Livingston James Partners with Acrux Gold to Recruit Head of People & Culture

Acrux Gold is a vertically integrated precious metals business and the parent company of SGZ Cononish Limited, operator of Scotland’s only commercial gold and silver mine, with operations in the UK and South Africa.
Acrux Gold is appointing a Head of People & Culture to establish and lead the people function, supporting international growth and building the capability, culture and infrastructure required for long‑term operational success.