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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 313–324 of 438
Fixed Income Trading: The Definitive Guide to Understanding Bonds and SecuritiesFixed income is the largest and least visible part of the capital markets. Equities attract the coverage; bonds carry the financing. For…Read more →
Exploring the Hedge Fund Career Path: Opportunities and ChallengesExploring the Hedge Fund Career Path: Opportunities and Challenges Introduction to Hedge Funds Definition and Purpose Hedge funds are investment vehicles that…Read more →
Private Equity vs. Venture Capital: Key Differences and Investment StrategiesPrivate Equity vs. Venture Capital: Key Differences and Investment Strategies Introduction In the dynamic world of finance, private equity and venture capital…Read more →
Venture Capital Careers: The Complete Guide to Essential Skills and QualificationsVenture Capital Careers: The Complete Guide to Essential Skills and Qualifications Introduction to Venture Capital Careers Understanding Venture Capital Venture capital (VC)…Read more →
The Private Equity Career Path: Insights from Industry ExpertsThe Private Equity Career Path: Insights from Industry Experts Introduction to Private Equity Careers Understanding Private Equity Private equity (PE) refers to…Read more →
The Investment Banking Career Path: Essential Skills and Strategies for SuccessThe Investment Banking Career Path: Essential Skills and Strategies for Success Introduction to Investment Banking Definition and Overview Investment banking is a…Read more →
The Future of Commercial Finance Director Recruitment: Trends and PredictionsThe Future of Commercial Finance Director Recruitment: Trends and Predictions Introduction In the rapidly evolving landscape of commercial finance, the role of…Read more →
Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Finance Director for Your Growing BusinessTop 10 Reasons to Hire a Finance Director for Your Growing Business Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, the financial…Read more →
The Evolving Role of CFO Advisory in Strategic Business TransformationThe Evolving Role of CFO Advisory in Strategic Business Transformation Understanding the CFO Advisory Landscape The Evolution of the CFO Role The…Read more →
Talent Acquisition and Retention: Human Resource Challenges in the London Re-insurance SectorTalent Acquisition and Retention: Human Resource Challenges in the London Re-insurance Sector Introduction to the London Re-insurance Sector Historical Background The London…Read more →
The Role of Finance Director in Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Strategies for SuccessThe Role of Finance Director in Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Strategies for Success Understanding Economic Uncertainty Defining Economic Uncertainty Economic uncertainty refers to…Read more →
COO vs CFO: How are they different and which one does your business need?The Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer are two of the most senior roles in any business, and two of the…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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