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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
Showing 109–120 of 438
The Complete Guide to Hiring C-Suite Executives in the UK in 2026Hiring a C-suite executive is among the most consequential decisions a business makes. The right appointment can transform a company’s trajectory; the…Read more →
Scaling Up? Why a Fractional CMO Can Be Your Secret WeaponScaling Up? Why a Fractional CMO Can Be Your Secret Weapon Introduction to Fractional CMOs Definition and role of a Fractional CMO…Read more →
Fractional CEO vs Interim CEO: Key Differences & Business OutcomesWhen a business needs senior leadership but not — or not yet — a permanent CEO, two options come up: a fractional…Read more →
Case Study – How a Fractional CFO Turned Around a SaaS BusinessCase Study – How a Fractional CFO Turned Around a SaaS Business Introduction Overview of the SaaS Industry Challenges The Software as…Read more →
Fractional COO: Streamlining Operations Without Full-Time CostFractional COO: Streamlining Operations Without Full-Time Cost Understanding the Fractional COO Concept Defining the Fractional COO A Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO)…Read more →How to Evaluate Candidates for a Fractional CEO PositionHow to Evaluate Candidates for a Fractional CEO Position Introduction to Fractional CEO Roles Understanding the Concept of a Fractional CEO A…Read more →
The Role of a Fractional CMO in UK Professional Services FirmsThe Role of a Fractional CMO in UK Professional Services Firms Introduction to Strategic Leadership in Professional Services Understanding Strategic Leadership Strategic…Read more →
How to Build a Fractional C-Suite Framework That ScalesHiring a single fractional executive is straightforward enough. Building a whole fractional C-suite — and one that holds together as the business…Read more →
Why a Fractional CFO Might Be the Smart Choice Post-FundingWhy a Fractional CFO Might Be the Smart Choice Post-Funding Overview of Post-Funding Challenges for Businesses Securing funding is a significant milestone…Read more →How Fractional COOs Help Navigate Rapid Operational ChangeHow Fractional COOs Help Navigate Rapid Operational Change Introduction to Fractional COOs Definition and role of a fractional COO A fractional Chief…Read more →Top KPIs to Measure Success of a Fractional Executive HireTop KPIs to Measure Success of a Fractional Executive Hire Introduction to Fractional Executives Definition and Role Fractional executives are seasoned professionals…Read more →
What Does a Fractional CEO Actually Do in a Mid-Market Firm?What Does a Fractional CEO Actually Do in a Mid-Market Firm? Introduction to Fractional Leadership Defining Fractional Leadership Fractional leadership is 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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