Vistage, the world’s leading business performance and leadership advancement organisation for small and medium sized businesses, has announced Rebecca Drew as Managing Director of UK & Ireland.
This strategic hire comes as SMEs observe a marked decline in economic confidence at the tail end of 2024.
As Vistage continues to bring its unique approach to professional executive mentorship, Rebecca brings over 20 years of experience in scaling mentorship programmes, having previously held roles at Chief and LinkedIn.
Her deep understanding of organisational dynamics and proven track record of driving transformational outcomes make her uniquely positioned to lead Vistage’s ambitions across the UK.
This announcement comes amidst Vistage’s quarterly index which suggests that there has been a steep drop in economic confidence amongst SME CEOs falling from 107.1 to 91.4 in the last three months of 2024. According to the report, issued quarterly, over the last year 69% of businesses have stated that economic conditions have worsened; and similarly, a further 55% feel the trend will continue for the coming 12 months.
The report underscores growing uncertainty within the economy with just half (54%) of all business leaders feeling optimistic about their firm’s profitability in 2025. As such, Vistage has seen an increased demand for mentorship services to help organisations navigate financial pressures and shifting market dynamics, with a 20% YOY increase in enquiries.
With that said, most business leaders (72%) plan to increase hiring across 2025 in a bid to boost their investment into the talent pool.
As organisations grapple with declining economic confidence and increased market pressures Rebecca’s leadership will be instrumental in designing Vistage initiatives to better support and protect the UK and Ireland’s most vulnerable SMEs. In her new role, Rebecca will spearhead customised mentorship solutions, build strategic partnerships, and enhance the support available to SME leaders and executives across the region.
“I am thrilled to join Vistage at such an exciting phase of growth, where our members need our support the most. Mentorship plays a critical role in helping businesses achieve their full potential, especially during periods of uncertainty. Insights from our latest report highlight a significant decline in economic confidence among SME CEOs, with many citing concerns around revenue and profitability projections. This makes our work even more essential in equipping leaders with the tools and guidance they need to adapt, survive and thrive. I feel confident in our ability to work together with SMEs across the UK and Ireland to continue their growth trajectory and bolster a culture of resilience and innovation despite challenges in the wider business landscape” said Rebecca Drew, Managing Director, Vistage UK & Ireland.
Founded in 1957, Vistage has built a reputation for its personalised and impactful mentorship programmes for more than 45,000 executives in 40 countries. With a network of accomplished mentors and a strong focus on measurable outcomes, the company empowers organisations and senior business leaders to improve leadership effectiveness, streamline operations, and foster innovation.
Rob Ristagno, President of International Operations, Vistage Worldwide said: “With confidence levels declining, Rebecca’s appointment comes at a key moment. Her expertise in mentorship and organisational transformation gives us confidence that she has the tools to provide the support businesses need to navigate these difficult times and build resilience for 2025”.
Sam Reese, CEO, Vistage Worldwide said: “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to our international leadership team; her well-seasoned experience and vision align perfectly with our mission to provide world-class executive mentorship. As indicated by the results from our Q4 index, economic confidence has fallen by 15 points. Rebecca’s deep expertise in empowering business leaders in the face of adversity is exactly what’s needed to address the pressure points we know SMEs are currently facing.”
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