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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.Latest articles
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Top Places to Locate Your PAYE Reference Number Quickly and EasilyTop Places to Locate Your PAYE Reference Number Quickly and Easily Introduction Navigating the complexities of payroll can be daunting, especially when…Read more →
Operations Director Job Description Explained: Key Responsibilities and SkillsOperations Director Job Description Explained: Key Responsibilities and Skills Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, the role of an Operations…Read more →
How to Find an Outsourced CFO Provider: Key Factors to ConsiderHow to Find an Outsourced CFO Provider: Key Factors to Consider In today's fast-paced business environment, companies of all sizes are increasingly…Read more →
The Ultimate Checklist for Finding the Right C-Suite ExecutiveA C-suite hire is one of the highest-stakes decisions a business makes. Get it right and you gain a leader who shapes…Read more →
CFO Executive Search Strategies: How to Identify Top Financial LeadersAppointing a Chief Financial Officer is one of the few hires that every stakeholder notices: the board relies on the numbers, investors…Read more →
Outsourcing Your CFO Service vs. In-House CFO: Which is Right for Your Company?Outsourcing Your CFO Service vs. In-House CFO: Which is Right for Your Company? Introduction In today's dynamic business environment, the role of…Read more →
Understanding Retained Search vs Contingency Search: A Comprehensive GuideUnderstanding Retained Search vs Contingency Search: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction In the competitive landscape of talent acquisition, organizations often grapple with the…Read more →
Fractional Human Resources: Transforming Talent Acquisition and RetentionFractional Human Resources: Transforming Talent Acquisition and Retention Introduction to Fractional Human Resources Defining Fractional Human Resources Fractional Human Resources (HR) refers…Read more →
Top Skills to Look for in Management Accountant RecruitmentTop Skills to Look for in Management Accountant Recruitment Introduction In today's dynamic business environment, the role of a management accountant has…Read more →
The Benefits of Hiring a Part-Time FD for Small BusinessesThe Benefits of Hiring a Part-Time FD for Small Businesses Introduction In today's dynamic business environment, small businesses face numerous challenges that…Read more →
Understanding the Cost: How Much is a London Fractional CFO?For a growing London business, a fractional CFO offers senior financial leadership without the cost of a full-time appointment — but how…Read more →
Forex Risk Management Tools: A Comprehensive GuideCurrency exposure is one of the few financial risks a business picks up simply by succeeding. Win a first overseas customer, buy…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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