Reference Letter for Senior Director-Level Role (UK 2026)

[On letterhead — company or personal]

[Date]

Dear [Specific addressee — usually a search firm or board member, or 'To whom it may concern'],

I am pleased to write in support of [Candidate name]'s candidacy for [target role] at [target company]. I worked with [Candidate name] from [start date] to [end date — or 'as of present'], during which I was [Your role — Chair, CEO, Board member, peer Director, etc.] and [Candidate name] was [Their role at the time].

In their role as [Their senior role], [Candidate name] was responsible for [scope — function, headcount, budget, P&L, geography]. Their tenure coincided with [significant business context — e.g., a transformation, a fundraise, an acquisition, market entry], during which they delivered [specific business outcomes — 3-4 sentences with concrete results and timeframes].

What distinguishes [Candidate name] for [target role] specifically is:

1. [Senior capability 1 with concrete evidence and direct relevance to the target role]
2. [Senior capability 2 with concrete evidence and direct relevance to the target role]
3. [Senior capability 3 with concrete evidence and direct relevance to the target role]

Beyond track record, [Candidate name] has the gravitas the role requires. In high-stakes situations — including [reference a specific situation: board meeting, regulator engagement, customer issue, team crisis] — they consistently [behavioural observation with detail]. They earn respect from peers, challenge constructively, and maintain composure under significant pressure.

I would highlight one observation that may be useful for [target company]'s context: [specific insight about how the candidate would fit or contribute, ideally addressing something distinctive about the target opportunity].

I recommend [Candidate name] for [target role] without reservation and would be happy to discuss their candidacy in more detail. Please contact me directly at any reasonable time.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
[Your role and current/most recent affiliation]
[Email] · [Phone]