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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 25–36 of 44
CEO vs CFO vs COO: Understanding the Distinct Roles in Corporate LeadershipCorporate leadership provides strategic direction, operational efficiency and financial health — and at the top of most businesses, three roles carry the…Read more →
Beyond the Numbers: Qualitative CEO Performance Metrics to ConsiderBeyond the Numbers: Qualitative CEO Performance Metrics to Consider In the corporate world, the performance of a CEO is often measured by…Read more →
The Ultimate Guide to Portfolio CEO Recruitment: Strategies for SuccessThe Ultimate Guide to Portfolio CEO Recruitment: Strategies for Success Introduction to Portfolio CEO Recruitment Understanding Portfolio CEO Recruitment Portfolio CEO recruitment…Read more →
Maximising Growth: Why You Should Hire a Part Time CEO for Your BusinessMaximising Growth: Why You Should Hire a Part Time CEO for Your Business In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, companies are…Read more →
Managing Director vs. CEO: Key Differences in Roles and ResponsibilitiesManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer are the two most commonly confused titles in British business, and the confusion is understandable: in…Read more →
CEO vs. Owner: Who Holds the Real Power? An In-Depth ExplanationIn the world of business, the roles of CEO and owner often spark debate about who truly holds the reins of power…Read more →
Comparing Responsibilities: Managing Director vs Operations DirectorComparing Responsibilities: Managing Director vs Operations Director In the complex and dynamic world of business, leadership roles are crucial for steering organizations…Read more →
CEO vs Interim CEO Understanding the Roles : Key Differences ExplainedCEO vs Interim CEO: Understanding the Roles and Key DifferencesLeadership roles are pivotal in steering a business toward success, and the Chief…Read more →
Behavioral Interview Questions for Managing Directors: What to Ask and WhyInterviewing for a Managing Director is unlike interviewing for any other role in the business. The candidate will be more practised at…Read more →
CEO Interview Questions: How to Identify a Transformational LeaderHiring a chief executive is the single most consequential appointment a board or founder makes. The right CEO sets the strategy, shapes…Read more →
Comparing Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer: Key Differences for Business SuccessManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer are two of the most senior titles in business — and two of the most frequently…Read more →
CTO vs CEO: Key Differences in Responsibilities and Skill SetsThe CEO and the CTO are frequently discussed as though they sit on the same rung of the same ladder. They do…Read more →Knowledge Centre
Go deeper with our guides
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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