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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 325–336 of 438
Mastering Competency Based Interview Questions: A Comprehensive Guide for Job SeekersMastering Competency Based Interview Questions: A Comprehensive Guide for Job Seekers ntroduction to Competency-Based Interviews Understanding Competency-Based Interviews Competency-based interviews, also known…Read more →
CEO vs CFO vs COO: Understanding the Distinct Roles in Corporate LeadershipCorporate leadership provides strategic direction, operational efficiency and financial health — and at the top of most businesses, three roles carry the…Read more →
Understanding the Financial Controller Role: What Does It Involve in Today’s Business Environment?Understanding the Financial Controller Role: What Does It Involve in Today's Business Environment? Introduction to the Financial Controller Role Definition and Core…Read more →
Understanding the C-Suite: Insights into the Dynamics of Executive TeamsUnderstanding the C-Suite: Insights into the Dynamics of Executive Teams Introduction to the C-Suite: Defining Executive Roles Understanding the C-Suite The C-Suite…Read more →
Profitability Through Financial Planning: How Finance Teams Make a DifferenceProfitability Through Financial Planning: How Finance Teams Make a Difference Introduction In today's competitive business landscape, achieving and maintaining profitability is a…Read more →
How CFO Services Can Drive Business Growth in a Competitive MarketHow CFO Services Can Drive Business Growth in a Competitive Market Introduction In today's fast-paced and competitive market, businesses are constantly seeking…Read more →
Top Places to Locate Your PAYE Reference Number Quickly and EasilyTop Places to Locate Your PAYE Reference Number Quickly and Easily Introduction Navigating the complexities of payroll can be daunting, especially when…Read more →
Operations Director Job Description Explained: Key Responsibilities and SkillsOperations Director Job Description Explained: Key Responsibilities and Skills Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, the role of an Operations…Read more →
How to Find an Outsourced CFO Provider: Key Factors to ConsiderHow to Find an Outsourced CFO Provider: Key Factors to Consider In today's fast-paced business environment, companies of all sizes are increasingly…Read more →
The Ultimate Checklist for Finding the Right C-Suite ExecutiveA C-suite hire is one of the highest-stakes decisions a business makes. Get it right and you gain a leader who shapes…Read more →
CFO Executive Search Strategies: How to Identify Top Financial LeadersThe role of the Chief Financial Officer has never been more critical. As businesses navigate economic uncertainty, regulatory change and technological disruption…Read more →
Outsourcing Your CFO Service vs. In-House CFO: Which is Right for Your Company?Outsourcing Your CFO Service vs. In-House CFO: Which is Right for Your Company? Introduction In today's dynamic business environment, the role 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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