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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

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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.

Latest articles

Showing 421–432 of 438

CFOs and finance leaders10 Mar 2024 · 4 min readFinding the Financial North Star: Navigating Finance Director RecruitmentFinding the Financial North Star: Navigating Finance Director Recruitment Finance Director recruitment is a crucial process for any organization seeking to strengthen…Read more →CFOs and finance leaders10 Mar 2024 · 5 min readReviving Financial Health: The Role of Turnaround FD RecruitmentReviving Financial Health: The Role of Turnaround FD Recruitment Turnaround Finance Director (FD) recruitment involves the strategic process of hiring a Finance…Read more →CFOs and finance leaders10 Mar 2024 · 5 min readThe Interim CFO Solution: Navigating Financial WatersThe Interim CFO Solution: Navigating Financial Waters Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) recruitment refers to the process of hiring a temporary CFO…Read more →CFOs and finance leaders10 Mar 2024 · 5 min readNavigating Financial Excellence: The Ins and Outs of Part-Time Finance Director Recruitment in LondonNavigating Financial Excellence: The Ins and Outs of Part-Time Finance Director Recruitment in London Recruiting a part-time Finance Director (FD) in London…Read more →CFOs and finance leaders10 Mar 2024 · 5 min readFinancial Mastery: Unveiling the Power of Part-Time FD RecruitmentRecruiting a part-time Finance Director (FD) is a strategic decision for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, or any organization that requires…Read more →CEOs and MDs15 Dec 2023 · 9 min readCEO Effective Leadership StrategiesCEO Effective Leadership Strategies CEO Effective Leadership Strategies Becoming a CEO brings you to the top of the career ladder – but…Read more →PE and family offices20 Nov 2023 · 6 min readStrategic Steps for C-Suite in Business Exit Preparation: A Comprehensive GuideStrategic Steps for C-Suite in Business Exit Preparation: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction: The decision to sell a business is a complex and…Read more →Hiring and succession18 Nov 2023 · 5 min readNavigating the Private Equity Landscape: Strategic Advice for London Companies Considering an ExitPrivate Equity Landscape: Strategic Advice for London Companies Considering an Exit Introduction: London, with its vibrant and dynamic business landscape, has long…Read more →CEOs and MDs11 Nov 2023 · 5 min readSeeking advice as a CEOSeeking advice as a CEO Seeking advice as a CEO is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength and…Read more →Hiring and succession10 Nov 2023 · 5 min readTop tips for an effective recruitment processTop tips for an effective recruitment process Creating an effective recruitment process is fundamental for any organisation seeking to attract, engage, and…Read more →FCA and SMF roles6 Nov 2023 · 6 min readThe Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR): A Comprehensive OverviewThe Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) shapes how every FCA-regulated firm in the UK appoints, approves and holds accountable its most…Read more →FCA and SMF roles5 Nov 2023 · 6 min readThe Growth of RegTech Roles: Navigating the Regulatory LandscapeThe Growth of RegTech Roles: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape Regulatory Technology, or RegTech, has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly expanding sector…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.

Executive paySalary, bonus and equity for CEOs, CFOs, COOs and directors.CEO salaries →Executive compensation →Open the guide →
Fractional and interimWhen part-time or interim leadership works, and how to set it up.Fractional, interim or permanent? →Interim executives →Open the hub →
FCA-regulated firmsSenior Manager Functions, approvals and board hiring under SMCR.SMF salary guide →The Form A process →Open the guide →
Hiring at the topScoping, assessing, referencing and onboarding senior hires.Executive assessment →Reference checking →Open the guide →

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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