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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 1–12 of 66
The fractional-versus-permanent decision is harder than it looksUK senior hiring decisions increasingly start with a question firms didn't routinely ask five years ago: should this be a fractional appointment…Read more →
When Should You Hire a Fractional Executive vs PermanentWhen Should You Hire a Fractional Executive vs Permanent Understanding Leadership Needs In today's dynamic business environment, organizations face a myriad of…Read more →
Top Fractional Roles Driving Scale in 2026Fractional leadership has moved from the margins to the mainstream. Businesses that once believed senior expertise meant a full-time, full-cost appointment now…Read more →
The Hidden ROI of Hiring a Fractional C-Suite LeaderThe Hidden ROI of Hiring a Fractional C-Suite Leader Understanding the Concept of Fractional C-Suite Leadership Defining Fractional C-Suite Leadership Fractional C-Suite…Read more →
When Businesses Should Consider a Fractional ExecutiveA fractional executive gives a business genuine C-suite leadership on a part-time, ongoing basis — senior strategic capability without the cost or…Read more →
Fractional vs Full-Time Leaders: What UK Firms NeedFractional vs Full-Time Leaders: What UK Firms Need Introduction to Leadership Models in the UK Overview of Leadership Models Leadership models in…Read more →
How Fractional Executives Boost Strategic Growth FastHow Fractional Executives Boost Strategic Growth Fast Understanding the Role of Fractional Executives Defining Fractional Executives Fractional executives are seasoned professionals who…Read more →Why Fractional Leadership Is Transforming Modern SMBsWhy Fractional Leadership Is Transforming Modern SMBs Understanding Fractional Leadership Defining Fractional Leadership Fractional leadership is a modern business strategy where companies…Read more →
Top Traits to Look for in a Fractional COO CandidateTop Traits to Look for in a Fractional COO Candidate Understanding the Role of a Fractional COO Defining a Fractional COO A…Read more →
Measuring Success: KPIs for Your Fractional C-Suite LeadersMeasuring Success: KPIs for Your Fractional C-Suite Leaders Introduction to Fractional C-Suite Leadership Understanding Fractional C-Suite Leadership Fractional C-Suite leadership refers to…Read more →
How a Fractional CHRO Can Transform Company Talent StrategyHow a Fractional CHRO Can Transform Company Talent Strategy Understanding the Role of a Fractional CHRO Defining a Fractional CHRO A Fractional…Read more →The Hidden Benefits of a Fractional COO for Scaling StartupsThe Hidden Benefits of a Fractional COO for Scaling Startups Understanding the Role of a Fractional COO Defining a Fractional COO A…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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