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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.CFOs and finance leaders
Showing 1–12 of 80
When does a firm need a CFO? When does a firm need a Finance Director?A specific question that comes up frequently in senior finance hiring conversations: should the firm be hiring a CFO or a Finance…Read more →
How Much Does a Virtual CFO Cost in the UK?For a growing business that needs senior financial leadership but cannot yet justify a full-time hire, a virtual CFO is often the…Read more →
Common CFO Hiring Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemHiring a Chief Financial Officer is one of the most consequential appointments a business makes — and one of the easiest to…Read more →
How to Hire a Fractional CFO in London: A Complete Guide for Growing BusinessesHow to Hire a Fractional CFO in London: A Complete Guide for Growing Businesses Understanding the Role of a Fractional CFO Defining…Read more →
What to Look for When Hiring Your First CFO: Skills, Experience, and Red FlagsWhat to Look for When Hiring Your First CFO: Skills, Experience, and Red Flags The Importance of a CFO in a Growing…Read more →
How CFO Leadership Transforms Business Strategy, Cash Flow, and GrowthHow CFO Leadership Transforms Business Strategy, Cash Flow, and Growth The Evolving Role of the CFO in Modern Business Historical Context of…Read more →
Fractional vs Permanent CFO: Which Leadership Model Is Right for Your Business?Fractional vs Permanent CFO: Which Leadership Model Is Right for Your Business? Introduction to Financial Leadership Roles In today's dynamic business environment…Read more →
How Fractional CFOs Drive Growth in High-Growth StartupsHow Fractional CFOs Drive Growth in High-Growth Startups Definition of Fractional CFOs Fractional CFOs, also known as part-time or outsourced CFOs, are…Read more →Key KPIs Every Fractional CFO Should TrackRead more →
Financial Forecasting Tips from Fractional CFOsFinancial Forecasting Tips from Fractional CFOs Introduction to Fractional CFOs and Their Role in Financial Success Understanding Fractional CFOs Fractional CFOs, also…Read more →How a Fractional CFO Can Revive Your Cash FlowHow a Fractional CFO Can Revive Your Cash Flow Understanding Financial Stability Defining Financial Stability Financial stability refers to a state where…Read more →
CFO Readiness Checks Used Before FundraisingCFO Readiness Checks Used Before Fundraising The Importance of CFO Readiness in Fundraising Understanding the Role of a CFO in Fundraising The…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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