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Insights for boards and senior leaders
The Executive Blog
Practical articles on hiring and leading at the top of a business: C-suite and board appointments, executive pay, fractional and interim leadership, and Senior Manager roles in FCA-regulated firms.
All articlesFCA and SMF rolesBoards and NEDsCEOs and MDsCFOs and finance leadersTechnology leadersFractional and interimHiring and successionPE and family offices
Guidance for boards and the people they appoint
Founders, chairs, investors and executives ask us the same questions again and again. When does a growing business need its first CFO or a full-time CEO? What should a COO earn? Is a fractional executive enough, or is it time for a permanent appointment? We publish our answers here, in plain English and grounded in the searches we run every week.
Articles are written by founder Adrian Lawrence FCA, a Fellow of the ICAEW, and our search team. They cover leadership hiring and succession, executive compensation and equity, board and non-executive appointments, private equity and family offices, technology leadership and Senior Manager Function appointments in regulated firms, and we update them when the rules or the market change.
For boards and investors, we cover how to scope a senior role, what to pay, how to assess candidates and take references, and when interim or fractional leadership makes more sense than a permanent hire. For executives, we cover interviews, offers and equity, notice and restrictive covenants, and the move from an executive career to a board portfolio. We also follow the regulatory changes that shape senior hiring, from the Senior Managers and Certification Regime to the UK Corporate Governance Code.
New to the topic? Start with one of our core guides, or use the search and topic filters above to find what you need.
Start here
Executive salary guide →What C-suite and director roles pay across the UK. What is a fractional executive? →How part-time C-suite leadership works and what it costs. CEO succession planning →A practical guide for UK boards. SMF roles guide →Every Senior Manager Function, and who needs approval.CEOs and MDs
Showing 13–24 of 44
How to Vet and Select a Fractional CEO for a PE-Backed BusinessHow to Vet and Select a Fractional CEO for a PE-Backed Business Understanding the Role of a Fractional CEO in PE-Backed Businesses…Read more →
Top KPIs You Should Expect from a Fractional CEO in a Tech BusinessTop KPIs You Should Expect from a Fractional CEO in a Tech Business Introduction to Fractional CEOs in Tech Businesses Understanding the…Read more →
What a Fractional CEO Can Teach Your Leadership TeamWhat a Fractional CEO Can Teach Your Leadership Team Understanding the Role of a Fractional CEO Defining a Fractional CEO A Fractional…Read more →
From Interim to Fractional: Why More Tech Firms Opt for Fractional CEOsFrom Interim to Fractional: Why More Tech Firms Opt for Fractional CEOs Understanding the Shift in Executive Leadership The Evolving Landscape of…Read more →
The ROI of a Fractional CEO in High-Growth StartupsThe ROI of a Fractional CEO in High-Growth Startups Understanding the Role of a Fractional CEO Defining a Fractional CEO A Fractional…Read more →
How Fractional CEOs Accelerate Growth in PE-Backed Tech FirmsHow Fractional CEOs Accelerate Growth in PE-Backed Tech Firms Introduction to Strategic Leadership in Tech Companies Understanding Strategic Leadership Strategic leadership involves…Read more →
When to Hire a Fractional CEO vs Full-Time: A Decision GuideWhen to Hire a Fractional CEO vs Full-Time: A Decision Guide Understanding Leadership Needs The Evolving Business Landscape In today's rapidly changing…Read more →
Beyond Fractional CEOs: Fractional CMOs, CFOs & COOs What Clients Need to KnowBeyond Fractional CEOs: Fractional CMOs, CFOs & COOs What Clients Need to Know The Evolution of Fractional Leadership Historical Context of Leadership…Read more →
Key Questions Every CEO Should Ask to Ensure the Right Financial Controller FitKey Questions Every CEO Should Ask to Ensure the Right Financial Controller Fit The Importance of the Right Financial Controller Strategic Financial…Read more →
Exploring the Benefits of Interim CEO Recruitment for UK Subsidiaries in Times of TransitionExploring the Benefits of Interim CEO Recruitment for UK Subsidiaries in Times of Transition Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape…Read more →
Understanding the Difference Between a CEO and COO: Key Roles in Structuring a Successful C-SuiteThe CEO decides where the business is going. The COO makes sure it can actually get there. That is the distinction in…Read more →
The Rise of Financial Leadership: Why More CFOs Are Becoming CEOsFor most of the last century, the finance chief was rarely the obvious heir to the chief executive’s office. The CFO kept…Read more →Knowledge Centre
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Structured guides that bring the best material together by topic. See the full Exec Capital Knowledge Centre and our Insights.
About the Exec Capital blog
Exec Capital is a specialist executive search firm and one of the five specialist firms of FD Capital Group. We appoint CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, Managing Directors, commercial and HR leaders, non-executive directors and Senior Manager Function holders on a permanent, interim and fractional basis across the UK, from our offices in London and the West Midlands.
Hiring for your leadership team? See our executive search services and the C-suite roles we recruit. Looking for a role? Register as a candidate or browse live executive jobs.
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