From a distinguished Military Career in the Royal Air Force to a prominent role in Corporate Leadership and Private Equity
Mark Rogerson MBE is a seasoned British executive with a unique and powerful blend of operational discipline and strategic commercial acumen. He is recognised as one of the UK's most successful chairs and executive chairs of Mid-Market Private Equity-backed Software as a Service (SaaS), Technology and Business Services companies, with a proven record of building and leading technology-enabled businesses and creating significant shareholder value.
His progression was marked by numerous distinctions during professional training, including the Marshall and Bunting Trophies. As Squadron Commander at RAF Cottesmore, he led his squadron to win the highly coveted Cossar Trophy for the most accomplished Operational Squadron of the Year.
In 2000, he attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, the UK’s premier military academy where he excelled amongst his peer group. His military service culminated in him reaching the rank of Wing Commander, a senior commissioned officer rank equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army.
He held a significant command role as the Military General Manager of the London Air Traffic Control Centre, a high-level position that required a mastery of complex systems, stringent risk management and the leadership of a large, highly trained workforce. It was here that he honed his systems, operational excellence, command-and-control and transformation skills which would prove directly transferable to the corporate world.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed Mark a Member of the British Empire (MBE)
What is the MBE?
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) was established on June 4, 1917 by King George V. It was created to honour individuals who rendered important services to the Empire, particularly during World War I, in non-combat roles.
The MBE is awarded to individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields, including the arts, sciences, charitable organizations, and public service. It recognizes both military and civilian achievements.
The Transition to Corporate Life
Following his transition from the RAF, Mark spent 12 years in corporate organisations including:
Serco Goup PLC
Eight years in senior leadership roles at this FTSE International Services company. Mark served as Managing Director of the Defence and Civil Aviation business, Head of Strategic Programmes (including M&A in Serco North America), COO of a circa £1Bn Defence, Science and Nuclear Business Unit and as Group Operational Efficiency Director, managing operational efficiency and transformation activities internationally.
Costain Goup PLC
Mark joined this leading UK engineering and construction company as Chief Development Officer and later became the Managing Director of its Natural Resources division; covering the Water, Oil, Gas & Nuclear Sectors. These roles were crucial in building his expertise in complex, client-facing service industries.
Speedy Hire PLC
As CEO, Mark was tasked with managing a company in crisis following a fraud scandal and "accounting irregularities". Though his tenure was brief, this experience in a high-pressure, public-facing role earned him a reputation for handling complex and difficult situations and considerable personal pressure.
The Private Equity Journey
Mark began his Private Equity journey in 2015. He was one of the first Operating Partners at Lyceum Capital, a UK-based Mid-Market Private Equity House that specialised in investing in high-growth technology and business services companies. He was a member of Lyceum’s Investment and Management Committees and was instrumental in the firm’s fiscal year 2017 fund growth of 32%. He also led the build-out of the PE Operating Support Model and led 12 successful add-ons across the portfolio.
Since his move to a portfolio of his own in 2018, Mark has become a prolific Private Equity Executive and Non-Executive Chair, known for his strategic expertise, commercial acumen, focus and drive. This model allows him to hold multiple concurrent directorships and advisory roles, working in direct engagement with private equity firms or holding companies.
His career is defined by the ability to translate high-stakes operational command into strategic commercial leadership, particularly in environments that require business transformation and disciplined management. He has completed nine highly successful company investment journeys, all resulting in valuable transformations, accelerated value creation and exits for investors, with an average exit return of 4.4x and 2.6x where he has been embedded to turn around struggling businesses.