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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 385–396 of 438
Comparing Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer: Key Differences for Business SuccessManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer are two of the most senior titles in business — and two of the most frequently…Read more →
CTO vs CEO: Key Differences in Responsibilities and Skill SetsThe CEO and the CTO are frequently discussed as though they sit on the same rung of the same ladder. They do…Read more →
The Role of a Fractional CFO in Scaling Your SaaS BusinessThe Role of a Fractional CFO in Scaling Your SaaS Business Introduction Scaling a Software as a Service (SaaS) business presents unique…Read more →
What is a CEO and Why Are They Needed in Modern Corporations?What is a CEO and Why Are They Needed in Modern Corporations? Introduction In the intricate and fast-paced world of modern business…Read more →
CEO Insights: Strategies for Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience in a Post-Pandemic WorldCEO Insights: Strategies for Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience in a Post-Pandemic World Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the global business…Read more →
Remote Work and Hybrid Models: Leadership Challenges and SolutionsRemote Work and Hybrid Models: Leadership Challenges and Solutions Introduction The Evolution of Work Environments The landscape of work has undergone a…Read more →
CEO Insights: Pioneering Sustainability Strategies for Future GrowthCEO Insights: Pioneering Sustainability Strategies for Future Growth Introduction In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discourse…Read more →
What Finance Business Partnering Really Is: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern EnterprisesWhat Finance Business Partnering Really Is: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Enterprises Introduction In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of…Read more →
The Signs It’s Time to Change Jobs: When Professional Growth Hits a WallThe Signs It's Time to Change Jobs: When Professional Growth Hits a Wall Introduction In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, the…Read more →
10 Killer Interview Questions to Prepare for: Insights from Top Recruiters10 Killer Interview Questions to Prepare for: Insights from Top Recruiters Introduction In today's competitive job market, standing out in an interview…Read more →
50+ Questions to Ask Your Mentee: Cultivating Leadership and Innovation50+ Questions to Ask Your Mentee: Cultivating Leadership and Innovation Introduction In today's rapidly evolving world, the role of a mentor extends…Read more →
What is a Personal Development Plan? A Comprehensive Guide to Self-ImprovementWhat is a Personal Development Plan? A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Improvement Introduction In today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of personal growth and…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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