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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.Fractional and interim
Showing 25–36 of 66
Why Every SME Should Consider Hiring a Fractional CMOWhy Every SME Should Consider Hiring a Fractional CMO Understanding the Role of a Fractional CMO Defining a Fractional CMO A Fractional…Read more →
Exit Strategy: Replacing Fractional Execs with Full-Time HiresA fractional executive is often exactly the right answer for a company that needs senior leadership without the cost or commitment of…Read more →
What Happens When a Fractional Exec Leaves?What Happens When a Fractional Exec Leaves? Understanding the Role of a Fractional Executive Defining a Fractional Executive A fractional executive is…Read more →
How Fractional Roles Scale with Business GrowthHow Fractional Roles Scale with Business Growth Understanding Fractional Roles Defining Fractional Roles Fractional roles refer to positions within an organization that…Read more →
Risks of Fractional Leadership And How to Avoid ThemRisks of Fractional Leadership And How to Avoid Them Introduction to Fractional Leadership Understanding Fractional Leadership Fractional leadership is a modern business…Read more →
Tools & Tech for Managing Fractional ExecutivesTools & Tech for Managing Fractional Executives Introduction Overview of Fractional Executive Management Fractional executive management is an innovative approach that…Read more →Global Expansion of Fractional Executive ServicesGlobal Expansion of Fractional Executive Services Understanding Fractional Executive Services Defining Fractional Executive Services Fractional executive services refer to the practice of…Read more →
Fractional Exec + Startup Survival CaseFractional Exec + Startup Survival Case Understanding the Startup Landscape The Rise of Startups In recent years, the global business environment has…Read more →
Fractional COO Streamlining Ops in 6 MonthsFractional COO Streamlining Ops in 6 Months Understanding the Role of a Fractional COO Defining a Fractional COO A Fractional Chief Operating…Read more →
Benchmarking Fractional C‑Suite FeesBenchmarking Fractional C‑Suite Fees Introduction to Cost-Effective Leadership Defining cost-effective leadership in the modern business landscape Cost-effective leadership in today's business environment…Read more →Using Exec Search Firms for Fractional RolesUsing Exec Search Firms for Fractional Roles Introduction to Talent Acquisition and Fractional Roles Understanding Talent Acquisition Talent acquisition is a strategic…Read more →
Fractional Executive Communities & AlliancesFractional Executive Communities & Alliances Understanding Fractional Executives Definition and Concept Fractional executives are experienced professionals who offer their expertise to organizations…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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