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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 277–288 of 438
Hiring a UK Finance Director for international businessHiring a UK Finance Director for international business Introduction In today's globalized economy, the role of a Finance Director is pivotal, especially…Read more →
Hiring a UK-based CFO for Overseas OperationsHiring a UK-based CFO for overseas operations Introduction In today's globalized business environment, the role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has…Read more →
How to Attract Top Global Talent: Insights into International Executive Recruitment in the UKHow to Attract Top Global Talent: Insights into International Executive Recruitment in the UK Introduction to International Executive Recruitment in the UK…Read more →
How to Craft Investor-Ready Financial Presentations: A Step-by-Step Guide for StartupsHow to Craft Investor-Ready Financial Presentations: A Step-by-Step Guide for Startups The Importance of Investor-Ready Financial Presentations Capturing Investor Interest Crafting a…Read more →
How to Implement the Top 5 Strategies for Retaining Senior Talent in a Competitive MarketHow to Implement the Top 5 Strategies for Retaining Senior Talent in a Competitive Market Introduction In today's rapidly evolving business landscape…Read more →
How Private Equity Shapes Executive Recruitment Trends: A Deep Dive into Industry ShiftsHow Private Equity Shapes Executive Recruitment Trends: A Deep Dive into Industry Shifts Introduction to Private Equity and Executive Recruitment Understanding Private…Read more →Building a Culture of Cost Awareness: Strategic Insights from Leading CFOsBuilding a Culture of Cost Awareness: Strategic Insights from Leading CFOs Overview of the Importance of Cost Awareness in Modern Businesses In…Read more →
Remote Work: Long-Term Cost Savings or Hidden Expenses? An In-Depth Financial AnalysisRemote Work: Long-Term Cost Savings or Hidden Expenses? An In-Depth Financial Analysis Understanding the Shift to Remote Work Historical Context Remote work…Read more →
Balancing the Books: Workforce Cost Optimisation Without Damaging MoraleBalancing the Books: Workforce Cost Optimisation Without Damaging Morale Understanding Workforce Cost Optimization Defining Workforce Cost Optimization Workforce cost optimization refers to…Read more →
Applying Lean Principles in Finance: A Guide to Reducing Costs and Enhancing ValueApplying Lean Principles in Finance: A Guide to Reducing Costs and Enhancing Value Introduction to Lean Principles in Finance Understanding Lean Principles…Read more →
Navigating Uncertainty: The Impact of Economic Fluctuations on Executive Recruitment StrategiesThe way a business hires its leaders should not look the same in a boom as it does in a downturn…Read more →
Bridging the Gap: Addressing the Talent Shortage in Executive Leadership RolesBridging the Gap: Addressing the Talent Shortage in Executive Leadership Roles Understanding the Talent Shortage in Executive Leadership The Current Landscape of…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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