Damien Lee

Board-level Operations and Commercial Executive with over 30 years of international leadership experience delivering operational transformation, commercial growth and organisational excellence across Engineering, Infrastructure, Nuclear, Defence, Renewable Energy and Workforce Solutions. A proven leader of multi-million-pound businesses throughout the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia and the Middle East, recognised for transforming organisations through strategic leadership, digital innovation, and commercial execution. Extensive experience leading businesses exceeding $100 million in turnover, managing international teams of more than 100 employees and operational responsibility for workforces exceeding 1,000 contractors.

Known for combining commercial acumen with operational excellence, successfully delivered business transformation programmes, enterprise technology implementations, AI adoption strategies, organisational restructure, and high-performing leadership cultures that improve profitability, productivity, and customer experience. An experienced Board and Senior Leadership Team member with ability in operational strategy, programme delivery, digital transformation, commercial growth, and executive stakeholder engagement.

Operations Director (Group Services) at Mactech Energy Group (2025-01 – Present)

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, accountable for operational strategy, digital transformation, technology modernisation, and commercial performance across the UK business.

• Designed and launched Mactech's company-wide Digital Transformation Programme, modernising business systems, and operational processes.
• Led the implementation of the Bullhorn CRM platform, providing a modern, integrated operating environment across recruitment and business operations.
• Introduced enterprise AI capability through deployment of ChatGPT Business, Claude AI, Gamma, Webex, and AI-powered meeting recording and transcription technologies. Also transformed the business from an unused, unloved CRM-Talisman to ultramodern Bullhorn technology including Amplify Ai package.
• Directed day to day activity for recruiters across Blue- & White-collar environments including linking to sites-HPC & SZC, handling high level clients' escalations, including site visits for client meetings. Drove new business development and created a more entrepreneurial environment.
• Participated in all bids including multi million-pound win to supply SZC in Suffolk for the construction of a new reactor.
• Designed and implemented a modern Business Development technology stack incorporating LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Vente.ai, Lusha and SEMrush, significantly improving lead generation, market intelligence and sales effectiveness and aligned the business security systems with Cyber Essentials Plus Certification.
• Led company-wide hardware and mobile technology modernisation, delivering significant annual cost savings while improving workforce capability and resilience.
• Developed KPI frameworks and executive reporting dashboards to improve operational visibility and strategic decision-making.
• Partner with the Managing Director on commercial planning, operational strategy, and sustainable EBITDA growth.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Recruitment, Business Development, Commercial, Finance, HR, Payroll, Vetting and Security.
• Support strategic bids and major framework opportunities across Nuclear, Defence and Energy sectors.
• Accelerated the development of the business from 180-360 with creation of BD team to enhance the company opportunities and lead into newer associated sectors-SMR/AMR, Data centres.

UK Director – Engineering, Supply Chain & Green Solutions at ManpowerGroup UK (2021-12 – 2024-12)

Executive responsibility for the UK's Engineering, Supply Chain and Green Solutions business, leading national growth strategy while serving on the Senior Leadership Team.

• Repositioned the Engineering division from general manufacturing into specialist Engineering, Nuclear, Defence and Renewable Energy verticals.
• Aided in business continuity program during extraordinarily complex IR35 tax reforms, developing a solid communications strategy helping to engage 10,000 contractors and 3000 clients.
• Worked as a key part of digitisation team to roll out Bullhorn and gain buy in across the business. This program was global.
• Created and delivered Manpower UK's Green Energy growth strategy in partnership with European leadership teams.
• Expanded capability across Offshore Wind, Solar, Hydro, Nuclear, Recycling and Environmental markets.
• Led national sales forecasting across seven regional business units.
• Supported major RPO, & search and project recruitment programmes.
• Mentored senior leaders and developed future management capability.
• Played a leading role in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.
• Actively worked across the business to enhance ESG initiatives to help support platinum award status globally.
• Worked tirelessly to improve better communications during the constant change within this huge organisation

Regional Business Partner at Ingeus (2020-01 – 2021-01)

Led Liverpool operations during the UK Government employment programme. 1 year contract during covid.

• Built the UK's highest-performing region.
• Consistently achieved over 200 job placements per month.
• Improved reporting transparency and operational governance.
• Delivered regional leadership development programmes.

Partner at Talent Resources | Cyprus (2015-01 – 2020-01)

Led an international consultancy specialising in Renewable Energy, Engineering and Infrastructure talent.

• Developed global delivery strategies across Renewable Energy.
• Built international client portfolios.
• Created employer branding and recruitment marketing strategies.
• Supported clients across Solar, Offshore Wind, Hydro, and Carbon Capture sectors.
• Covering opportunities in Europe, Africa, SEA, Australasia.
• Created business structure and digitisation for users running from home offices in multi-site locations.
• Introduced new customers to the business and oversaw commercial contractual terms of business.

In Country Managing Director at Fircroft | Thailand (2013-01 – 2015-01)

Executive leadership of a $100 million turnover engineering workforce business operating across three locations.

• Increased revenue by 82%.
• Grew contractor numbers by 30%.
• Managed over 1,000 contractors.
• Created Thailand's internal recruiter academy this supported comprehensive training for local Thai graduates to make the step up to their first jobs with clients like Chevron and others.
• Expanded business into emerging Renewable Energy markets.
• Expanded the existing team to meet a broader base of demands for permanent recruitment-introduced new markets that were expanding rapidly in the region-Aviation engineering, Civil's, Automotive, Structural architecture.
• Redeveloped the entire payroll system and built a new bespoke system that reduced hundreds of hours of overtime per month to nil. This was a 12-month project produced with an Indian software developer who installed and tested all new functionality successfully to deployment.

Global Recruitment Director at S&N Civil Construction | Australia (2010-01 – 2014-01)

Led workforce strategy supporting 14 major infrastructure projects valued at approximately $300 million annually, scaling the workforce from 200 to over 1,000 employees. Oversaw a huge restructure that including building a national and international recruitment team to enhance quicker fills to a rapidly growing business, also developed an external recruitment business to create another revenue stream working across energy and mining. Oversaw activity in multi state locations for a team of 40, covering 14 project site involving complex civil works in preparation for the mines to go into production.

We constructed all civil aspects to support all site infrastructure and delivery from site-rail, road, conveyor.

Country Manager at Mille International | Dubai (2001-01 – 2010-01)

Established and expanded operations across 12 Middle Eastern and North African countries, securing strategic workforce programmes including the landmark Masdar City development. Awarded multi tender wins to convert vast recruiting projects into multi million dollar returns. Operationally we achieved revenues annually of $167,000,000 per year achieving 7% EBITDA.

Earlier leadership appointments included successful delivery of major manpower engineering programmes supporting organisations including BAE Systems, Boeing, BNFL, VSEL and other nationally significant infrastructure and defence projects.

PMP, various exec courses, high school education