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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 301–312 of 408
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 the Chief Financial Officer are usually the two most senior appointments below the CEO, and in a…Read more →
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 LeadershipThe Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer are the three roles that carry most of 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 →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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