VP Engineering vs CTO: Which First?
The short version: a CTO decides what to build and on what; a VP Engineering makes sure it gets built. Most scaling businesses need the second before the first, and appoint the first because it sounds more senior. That inversion is the commonest structural mistake …
Hiring an MD for a Family-Owned Busines
Appointing the first non-family Managing Director is usually the most significant decision a family business makes, and it is rarely treated as such. The search runs like any other director appointment, the successful candidate arrives, and within eighteen months one of two things has happened: …
What’s the realistic timeline for a senior executive search?
By Adrian Lawrence FCA, Founder, Exec Capital A practical question that comes up early in most senior search conversations: how long does the search actually take from start to finish? The honest answer is that a substantive senior search runs 12-18 weeks from formal mandate …
How SMCR is changing the senior appointment timetable for FCA-regulated firms
By Adrian Lawrence FCA, Founder, Exec Capital Boards at FCA-regulated firms approaching senior appointments often underestimate the timetable. The substantive search work — brief, market mapping, candidate engagement, assessment, offer — proceeds on a familiar calendar. The Form A submission, fitness and propriety assessment and …
The compensation trend that’s quietly reshaping UK senior hiring in 2026
By Adrian Lawrence FCA, Founder, Exec Capital There’s a structural shift in UK senior compensation that doesn’t get the attention it warrants. Headline base salaries at the senior end have moved within recognisable bands over the past three years; the underlying mix of cash, deferred …
How investors evaluate executive team strength — during rapid operational scaling
How investors evaluate executive team strength — during rapid operational scaling The Importance of Executive Team Evaluation in Fast-Paced Growth Understanding the Role of the Executive Team In the context of fast-paced growth, the executive team plays a pivotal role in steering the organization towards …
The NED’s Role in Whistleblowing and Corporate Integrity
The NED’s Role in Whistleblowing and Corporate Integrity Understanding the Role of NEDs in Corporate Governance The Definition and Purpose of NEDs Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) are members of a company’s board of directors who do not engage in the day-to-day management of the organization. Their …
Remote Leadership: How to Attract Top Tech Executives Without a London HQ
Remote Leadership: How to Attract Top Tech Executives Without a London HQ The Rise of Remote Work and Leadership The Evolution of Work Environments The traditional office environment has undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades. With the advent of digital technology and …
Tech Leadership Salary Trends in 2025 What You Need to Know
Tech Leadership Salary Trends in 2025 What You Need to Know Understanding the Shifts in Tech Leadership Compensation The Evolving Role of Tech Leaders In recent years, the role of tech leaders has undergone significant transformation. As technology becomes increasingly integral to business strategy, …
Why Demand for Fractional CTOs and CIOs is Exploding
Why Demand for Fractional CTOs and CIOs is Exploding Defining Fractional CTOs and CIOs Understanding the Concept of Fractional Leadership Fractional leadership is a modern business strategy where companies hire experienced executives on a part-time or contract basis to fulfill specific roles within the organization. …
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