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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 349–360 of 438
EIS vs VCTs: Understanding the Key Differences in Tax Relief OptionsEIS vs VCTs: Understanding the Key Differences in Tax Relief Options Introduction When it comes to investing in early-stage companies in the…Read more →
Innovative Financial Strategies from Leading London SaaS Finance DirectorsInnovative Financial Strategies from Leading London SaaS Finance Directors Introduction In the dynamic world of Software as a Service (SaaS), financial strategies…Read more →
Navigating the Role: Challenges and Opportunities for a London Interim Finance DirectorNavigating the Role: Challenges and Opportunities for a London Interim Finance Director In the dynamic and fast-paced business environment of London, the…Read more →
Understanding the Portfolio Finance Director Model: A Comprehensive GuideUnderstanding the Portfolio Finance Director Model: A Comprehensive Guide In today's dynamic business environment, companies are increasingly seeking flexible and cost-effective solutions…Read more →
Research Analyst Roles: Key Differences Between Buy-Side and Sell-SideResearch Analyst Roles: Key Differences Between Buy-Side and Sell-Side In the world of finance, research analysts play a crucial role in guiding…Read more →
The Role of Salary Surveys in Retaining High-Performing EmployeesThe Role of Salary Surveys in Retaining High-Performing Employees Introduction In today's competitive business landscape, retaining high-performing employees is more critical than…Read more →
How Choosing a Headhunting Firm Can Transform Your Recruitment StrategyHow Choosing a Headhunting Firm Can Transform Your Recruitment Strategy Introduction In today's competitive job market, finding the right talent can be…Read more →
Inside Look: How Salaries and Benefits Compare Across 20 London Asset ManagersLondon asset management pay is widely discussed and poorly documented. Base salaries are not published, bonus arrangements are discretionary and rarely disclosed…Read more →
Inside Look: How Salaries and Benefits Compare Across 20 London Investment BanksLondon is the financial heart of Europe and home to some of the world’s most prestigious investment banks — from the global…Read more →
Inside Look: Salaries and Benefits at 20 of London’s Top Hedge FundsHedge fund compensation is the most talked-about and least accurately described pay structure in London finance. The headline numbers that circulate are…Read more →
How Fractional CFO Recruitment Can Transform Your Business FinancesHow Fractional CFO Recruitment Can Transform Your Business Finances Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, financial management is more critical…Read more →
The Ultimate Guide to Portfolio CEO Recruitment: Strategies for SuccessThe Ultimate Guide to Portfolio CEO Recruitment: Strategies for Success Introduction to Portfolio CEO Recruitment Understanding Portfolio CEO Recruitment Portfolio CEO recruitment…Read more →Knowledge Centre
Go deeper with our guides
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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