Executive Search for C-Suite
& Board-Level Appointments

Exec Capital is a UK executive search firm specialising in CEO, CFO, COO and board-level appointments for organisations at critical stages of growth, investment or transition.

We work with founders, boards and investors who need experienced senior leaders — not volume recruitment — and who value discretion, judgement and long-term impact.

  • Senior-only executive search

  • C-suite and board appointments

  • UK & international mandates

  • Founder-led, discreet delivery

We are not a high-volume recruiter. We work on a limited number of senior mandates at any one time.

Call us Now

0203 834 9616

“Adrian worked with us as our Fractional CFO for six months and we are genuinely grateful for the contribution he made. His financial expertise and calm, professional approach gave us confidence in our numbers and supported better decision-making across the business. I would recommend Adrian and Exec Capital without hesitation.” — Josh Haugh, MAS Technicae Group (International) Ltd, West Sussex

Our Executive Search Specialisms

Exec Capital supports private equity-backed, growth and international businesses with
executive search and flexible leadership solutions, including
fractional executives.
Explore our core specialisms below.

Executive Search

Confidential C-suite hiring for growth, turnaround and transformation.

Fractional Executives

Flexible senior leadership: rapid impact without full-time headcount.

CEO Recruitment

CEOs who drive strategy, culture and performance through change.

CFO Recruitment

Finance leaders for fundraising, value creation and scalable reporting.

COO Recruitment

Operational leadership for delivery, systems and execution excellence.

Private Equity Leadership

Partnering with PE-backed teams on value creation and exit readiness.

Senior Executive Recruitment for UK FCA-Regulated Firms

Exec Capital places senior executive and board leadership into UK FCA-regulated firms — covering the SMF1, SMF3, SMF4, SMF5, SMF9, SMF14 and SMF24 designated functions under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime. Every senior regulated firm appointment is led personally by Adrian Lawrence FCA, an ICAEW Verified Fellow.

About us

EXEC CAPITAL is a boutique recruitment agency that specialises in connecting start-ups and businesses with senior management professionals. We take a tailored approach to our recruiting with a 1-on-1 experience where we help clients identify their management needs before starting the recruitment process.

We’ll help identify and hire the perfect candidate to scale your business to the next level. Whatever your recruitment needs are, Exec Capital is here to help. The world of work is evolving faster than ever before. Your senior management professionals play a crucial role in future-proofing your business and navigating the changes to come.

What makes EXEC CAPITAL different is that we’re a team of management professionals with experience working with businesses across virtually every industry. We’re the industry’s leading recruitment specialists for management professionals across London and the Southeast.

Our goal

Our goal is to create a streamlined recruitment process that helps you find the right candidate the first time around. Unlike other recruitment agencies, we don’t just send you a list of candidates. We take an active role in every step of the process, drawing up a shortlist of the most suitable candidates in our portfolio.

EXEC Capital works with companies across the UK and beyond to hire remote and in-house senior management professionals. Whatever your needs, we’ll offer you a tailored recruitment process that is streamlined from start to finish.

Exec Capital is one of the UK’s leading C-suite and agencies, hiring for a full portfolio of roles across multiple industries. Our talent pool of available to work on a part-time, full-time, and interim basis with candidate shortlisting for immediate starts. We understand first-hand the crucial nature of building the right leadership team, from your CFO to CMO and Sales Director. Exec Capital tailors each step of the recruitment process to identify the candidate who will suit your company’s culture and unlock its potential. Our goal is to build leadership teams and partnerships that transform businesses and accelerate growth across all sectors. are your personalised executive recruiters with access to industry-leading talent Explore your options by calling us on 020 3287 2365 for a no-obligation consultation.

If you are recruiting your next Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer make sure to reach out to our team today.

Executives

How EXEC CAPITAL Works

EXEC CAPITAL is a recruitment agency that takes a hands-on approach to every step of the recruitment process. We specialise in recruiting senior management positions, including HR Directors and Managing Directors. You’ll get access to our portfolio of talented management professionals who have experience across multiple industries.

Our recruitment process starts by identifying the needs of your businesses to enable us to draw up a short list of the candidates most suitable for your company. We want to help you find the right candidate who will fit in with your company culture and help the business realize its potential.  If you are a candidate looking for your next C-Suite role, make sure to check our popular C-Suite Jobs board regularly.

After identifying your needs, we’ll start searching for the most suitable candidate. Every business is different, which is why we take a 1-on-1 approach to every recruitment process. We have a proven track record of connecting businesses with part-time, full-time, and interim senior management professionals.

If you are looking for a C-Suite role why not visit our popular Jobs Board and read our industry news was founded by industry experts with decades of experience in overseeing . Our team has the finger on the recruitment industry’s pulse, understanding the changing expectations of companies and candidates alike – from salary expectations to remote working and the rise in part-time executive roles. Many of our leadership team are entrepreneurs and executives with experience working with companies throughout every stage of their development. It offers Exec Capital a unique insight into talent acquisition with a focus on identifying the specific needs of the company when recruiting for a C-suite role. Our diverse recruitment team can curate the hiring process, whether you’re headhunting a new CEO or want to expand your leadership team with senior financial executives. The Exec Capital team is ever-expanding with recruiters from evolving industries and niches that can offer a tailored recruitment process or headhunting service.

You can join the Exec Capital talent pool today by contacting our recruitment team through our online form is a full-service executive recruitment service, offering a bespoke range of hiring solutions that can be adapted to suit the needs of companies of every size. We take a 1-to-1 approach with every step of the recruitment process, providing a cost and time-efficient alternative to in-house recruitment

We work with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to small businesses looking to scale to the next level. Many of our senior management professionals are experts in their fields, ranging from marketing to technology and financial services. We strive to help you find the candidate who will hit the ground running and become an instant part of your leadership team.

Our team are leaders when it comes to CEO Recruitment.

Directors

We offer the full range of Directors

Managing Director
Sales Director
Technical Director
Operations Director
HR Director

Tell us about your hire

Tell us about Your Hire

Executive Recruitment / Executive Search

Start your search for the perfect candidate for the role by getting in touch with our team today. Fill in the information below about the role you’re looking for and one of our team will be in touch.

Our team of senior management professionals are experts in their field, including Managing Directors, Sales Directors, and Operation Directors. Many of them have experience helping companies transition to e-commerce and have worked with major companies and PLCs. Our portfolio of senior management professionals are available to work on a part-time, full-time, and interim basis.

Start your journey with EXEC Capital today to help your business reach its potential. Whether you’re implementing a fundraising strategy or want to scale your revenue, we’ll help you build a team of talented leadership professionals.

Our portfolio of candidates comes with invaluable skills and contacts that can positively affect every aspect of your business.

Building your business for the future means choosing the right leadership team that has the skills and experience to scale your company. A senior management professional is an invaluable asset to the company CEO, acting as an advisor on everything from day-to-day operations and long-term strategies.

We’ll help you find the perfect candidate to take your business to the next level. Whatever your recruitment needs are, we’re here to streamline the hiring process by giving you access to some of the best management professionals in the UK.  Keep up to date with industry news by reading our popular C-Suite blog.

Hire an MD or CEO today.

CEO Recruitment

Navigating CEO recruitment poses a challenge for even the most established companies. It calls for the involvement of more stakeholders than other executive recruitment, including other C-suite leaders and board members. CEO candidates come from a more diverse range of backgrounds than ever before, offering fresh perspectives for companies at every stage of their development. Determining the qualities your company needs and clearly defining the role can streamline the CEO recruitment process.

CEOs are becoming more accessible for SMEs and emerging businesses through fractional and part-time positions. These more flexible roles are ideal for mid-market companies who don’t have the workload or financial capacity to recruit a full-time CEO.
Outsourcing your CEO recruitment streamlines the process as a more time and cost-effective solution. At Exec Capital, we take a hands-on approach to recruitment, identifying the individual needs of your business to recruit a CEO with the talent and experience to deliver on your long-term strategy.
Companies can choose to recruit a fractional CMO on either a retainer or project-by-project basis, giving the role scalability and flexibility without a long-term commitment. Part-time and fractional CFOs are a way of investing in your company before a product launch. They’ll develop a marketing strategy that aligns with the product’s purpose and the company’s target audience.
Our talent pool of CMO candidates are available to work on a part-time, full-time, interim, and remote basis.

CMO Recruitment

CMOs are at the forefront of transitioning companies to the digital space. They’re the corporate executive responsible for overseeing the company’s marketing strategy and implementation. Fractional CMOs interact with every aspect of the business, making it crucial to find a candidate who will fit into the company culture. The CMO will oversee product marketing, brand management, customer engagement, market research, and communications throughout the company.

Strategic Leaders in Digital, AI & Transformation — Right at Your Fingertips

At Exec Capital, our specialist technology & innovation practice sources visionary leaders who architect the future—be it through enterprise-grade digital platforms, AI-driven strategy, or end-to-end transformation. Our recruiters blend deep tech understanding with executive-level search expertise to deliver candidates who don’t just evolve businesses—they redefine them. Tap into a curated network of seasoned CTOs, Chief Digital Officers, AI strategists, and Transformation Directors, tailored to your organisation’s ambition.

Driving Business Growth Through Elite Digital & AI Leadership

In today’s fast-moving markets, success depends on leaders who can harness technology, data, and innovation to deliver measurable results. Exec Capital specialises in connecting organisations with exceptional senior executives in technology and transformation—Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), Chief Digital Officers (CDOs), Chief AI Officers, and Digital Transformation Directors—who can turn vision into reality.

Our network includes proven leaders with experience across sectors, from scaling AI-driven startups to modernising global enterprises. Whether you need a CTO to set your technical architecture, a CDO to drive data-led growth, a Chief AI Officer to embed machine learning across operations, or a Transformation Director to orchestrate change at scale, we deliver candidates who can lead with confidence from day one.

At Exec Capital, we understand the complexity of modern leadership hiring. We don’t just search—we actively headhunt, leveraging deep industry connections and advanced assessment techniques to ensure every appointment aligns with your strategic goals, culture, and pace of change.

By focusing on roles at the forefront of digital disruption, we ensure our clients gain leaders who can not only navigate emerging technologies but also inspire teams, build stakeholder trust, and deliver sustainable competitive advantage.

If your organisation is ready to embrace the next wave of innovation, partner with Exec Capital to secure the leaders who will shape your digital future.

Financial Services Recruitment for FCA-Regulated Firms

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime places personal accountability on every designated senior leader at an FCA-regulated firm. Before any SMF appointment can take effect, the individual must receive FCA pre-approval — a process that includes a fitness-and-propriety assessment, a regulatory reference check, and a Statement of Responsibilities that defines the senior manager’s precise accountability. Getting the appointment right the first time matters more at regulated firms than almost anywhere else in UK business: a failed FCA approval creates a governance gap the firm cannot easily manage around.

Exec Capital has specific experience placing the full range of SMF-designated senior executives and board members at UK FCA-authorised businesses — from banks and asset managers to insurers, wealth managers, consumer credit firms and payment institutions. Every regulated firm mandate is led personally by Adrian Lawrence FCA, an ICAEW Verified Fellow whose finance and governance background gives Exec Capital an understanding of regulated firm senior appointments that generalist executive search firms cannot replicate.

CEO — FCA-Regulated Firms

SMF1 Chief Executive appointments at banks, asset managers, insurers and payment firms. Form A individual approval, Statement of Responsibilities, and direct FCA engagement experience.

COO — FCA-Regulated Firms

SMF24 Chief Operations appointments covering operational resilience, third-party risk oversight, and the DORA compliance leadership that regulators increasingly scrutinise.

Chief Risk Officer

SMF4 CRO placements at banks, insurers and investment managers. Second-line independence from the business, FCA individual approval, and direct regulator relationship experience.

Executive Director

SMF3 Executive Director appointments to the boards of FCA-regulated firms, including the common stacking patterns with SMF24 and SMF4 that smaller regulated firms use.

Chair — FCA-Regulated Firms

SMF9 Chair appointments at regulated firms — where the personal accountability attached to the role goes significantly beyond the non-SMF chair at an unregulated business.

Senior Independent Director

SMF14 SID appointments across banking, insurance and investment management. The four core responsibilities under SMCR, and the specific scenarios in which the FCA expects the SID to act.

Head of Internal Audit

SMF5 third-line appointments at FCA-regulated firms. Qualification standards across ICAEW, ACCA, CIA and CMIIA, and the audit committee chair relationship that defines the role’s effectiveness.

Financial Services NEDs

Non-executive director appointments across financial services — spanning the SMF committee chair designations (risk, audit, remuneration, nominations) and broader independent oversight roles.

All FCA Recruitment Services

Our complete regulated firm practice, covering every SMF designation, the committee chair functions, the SMCR firm classification framework, and the regulatory approval timeline.

Note on SMF2 (Chief Finance): Senior CFO and Head of Finance appointments at FCA-authorised firms — including the SMF2 designation at dual-regulated firms — are placed by our sister practice FD Capital, the UK’s leading specialist in senior finance leadership. All other SMF roles are placed directly by Exec Capital.

Executive Search

Our executive search service is industry-leading with curated recruitment connecting companies throughout the UK with candidates for executive and C-suite level roles. We start the recruitment process by identifying specifically what your company needs, including your skills gap, company culture, and how to attract the right talent.

You’ll get access to top candidates by outsourcing your recruitment to our executive search team. Outsourcing recruitment allows your company to focus on its operations while being involved throughout the process. Our executive search brings more diversity to your potential candidate pool to improve representation across your organisation’s leadership and C-suite roles.

We strive to create a 1-on-1 experience throughout the recruitment process with a team that prioritises objectivity. Our team will offer feedback on the job description and candidate profiles to help you determine a competitive package with industry-specific recruitment knowledge.

Prepare your company for the future with our succession planning services. Recruiting a C-suite executive early in succession planning can ensure a frictionless leadership transition and continuity for companies of every size. We offer a full 360-degree approach to C-suite recruitment with both executive search and headhunting services. You’ll get access to both passive candidates and high-quality candidates who aren’t exposed to traditional recruitment methods. Our executive headhunter services guarantee your company will fill your position with a suitable candidate.

It’s one of the most time and cost-effective ways to recruit for any C-suite level position.  Exec Capital is a full-service recruitment agency that specialises in C-suite and executive recruiting for companies across every industry sector. We strive to offer a hands-on approach to recruitment that identifies the specific needs of every client, from addressing skills gaps to implementing succession planning. specialising in part-time, interim, and fractional recruitment for executive and C-suite roles. Recruiting your executive on a part-time basis can address your company’s skills gaps in a more affordable way. Part-time executives can be recruited on a project-by-project basis or in a long-term position.

We specialise in part-time and interim recruitment to make industry-leading talent more accessible to companies at the early stages of their development. Our recruiters have experience working across a diverse range of fields, offering industry-specific knowledge to the most popular executive recruitment fields

Exec Capital works with organisations to deliver candidate shortlists on a variety of time scales. Our talent pool of candidates enables us to provide a shortlist within a few days for quick appointments to fill sickness leave or an unexpected exit. We have the tools at hand to oversee the entire executive search process to deliver a shortlist of high-quality candidates who meet your company’s needs.

Headhunting

At Exec Capital, we offer a full 360-degree approach to recruitment with both executive search and headhunting services. Both recruiting methods are available for companies at different stages of their development and growth cycle.

If you need support with your CFO  / Chief Financial Officer, then reach out to our team, we work closely with our sister company FD Capital London’s leading senior finance recruiter.

Our headhunting process is tailored to suit your company’s recruitment time frame and management needs. You’ll get access to both passive candidates and high-quality candidates who aren’t exposed to traditional recruitment methods. Our executive headhunter services guarantee your company will fill your position with a suitable candidate.

Your recruitment process will be handled by the most qualified member of our team with a background and candidate network in that field. Recruiting for a C-suite or executive position is a sensitive time for your company. Confidentiality is one of our top priorities throughout each step of the recruitment process. We have a discreet service that ensures your information remains secure and protected from data breaches.

Our headhunting services are ideal for companies looking for a more discreet form of recruitment. is based in London with a global reach, working with clients throughout the UK and abroad to recruit for in-house, hybrid, and remote working opportunities.

Headhunting is a more cost and time-effective alternative to internal recruitment, offering one of the fastest turnarounds for SMEs and companies of all sizes. Choosing our executive headhunting service allows your company to set out exactly the skills and experience you want in your C-suite or executive candidate.

Part-Time, Interim, and Fractional Executives

At Exec Capital, we specialise in part-time, interim, and fractional recruitment for executive and C-suite roles. Recruiting a part-time executive can fill your company’s skills gaps, either on a project-by-project basis or as a long-term hire. This flexibility is ideal for companies still in the development stage who are building their executive team.

Working with a specialist recruitment agency like Exec Capital will help you identify the skills gap in your organisation and maximise the potential of your executive and C-suite appointments. Recruiting on a part-time basis is more cost-effective as it removes additional costs, such as equipment and training. Part-time executives often work with multiple companies at once and can deliver on a tight schedule.

Recruiting a C-suite leader or executive on a part-time basis is a win-win for SMEs and start-ups. It’s a more financially viable option and provides the opportunity for scalability of the role as the company develops.

Keep up to date with the latest developments in executive recruitment and the future of the industry by exploring our range of blog posts and educational articles. We regularly update our website with industry insights, recruitment advice for companies, and how candidates can level up their careers. is a leading C-suite and agency based in the UK. Our services include acting as a facilitator in connecting clients with high-quality candidates across multiple industries to fill C-suite and executive positions.

Companies can choose to recruit a fractional CMO on either a retainer or project-by-project basis, giving executive and C-suite roles scalability and flexibility without a long-term commitment.

Private Equity Recruitment

At Exec Capital, we understand that private equity firms demand more than just talent – they need strategic partners capable of unlocking value, driving transformation and delivering results. As a London-based specialist recruitment agency with deep networks across the UK and beyond, we support private equity houses and portfolio companies in sourcing the right leadership and operational talent at every stage of growth. Private equity recruitment is uniquely challenging: firms compete for a limited pool of high-calibre candidates with specialist skills, strategic insight, and the adaptability to thrive in fast-paced environments. Whether you’re hiring for investment roles, portfolio value-drivers or non-executive directors, our approach blends market expertise with bespoke search strategies that reflect your business objectives. Our consultants are seasoned recruiters with strong industry experience and a nuanced understanding of the private equity landscape. We focus on identifying individuals who not only excel technically – from associate and partner-level roles to CFOs and operational leaders – but also fit culturally and drive long-term success.

By partnering with Exec Capital, you benefit from a tailored recruitment process that combines proactive search, confidential headhunting and deep sector insight. We prioritise quality over quantity, delivering curated candidate shortlists that save you time and accelerate your hiring outcomes. Whether you need interim support, strategic leadership for a portfolio company, or a transformational executive, we’re here to help you build high-impact teams that outperform.

Exec Capital – Private Equity recruitment that builds leadership, drives growth and delivers strategic advantage.

The Exec Capital Team

Exec Capital has its finger on the rapidly changing pulse of the executive industry. We strive to offer recruitment solutions for companies at every stage of their development, from SMEs needing HR Directors to start-ups recruiting for a part-time Chief Marketing Officer.

The Exec Capital team includes entrepreneurs, business leaders, and senior executives who understand both sides of the recruitment process. We take a curated approach, looking from the point of view of both candidates and companies looking to fill leadership positions.

Who We Recruit For

Exec Capital specialises in recruiting C-suite and executive roles for SMEs and start-ups throughout the UK and beyond. Our team have experience recruiting across every industry sector with headhunting and executive search services to suit companies of all sizes.

Join The Exec Capital Talent Pool

Our talent pool of C-suite executives are industry leaders with financial, marketing, and business insights and are available to work on a part-time, full-time, interim, and remote basis. You can join the Exec Capital talent pool today by submitting your CV to our team through our contact form.

Our Founder

Adrian Lawrence FCA founded Exec Capital after more than 25 years operating at C-suite level as a Chartered Accountant and finance leader. His experience spans private equity-backed businesses, founder-led companies, and listed environments — giving Exec Capital a practitioner’s perspective on what boards and shareholders genuinely require from senior executive appointments.

He holds an ICAEW practising certificate in his own name.

Our Commitment to Professional Standards

Exec Capital adheres to recognised executive search standards and best practices. We support the principles outlined in the UK government’s executive search code of conduct, which promotes transparency, fairness, diversity, and professionalism in senior executive appointments.

Testimonials

We’ve worked with hundreds of companies across dozens of industries, from fintech to construction and SaaS. Hear directly from some of our clients below to see about their experience recruiting through EXEC Capital.

Blogs

Explore Exceptional Executive Opportunities

Welcome to the EXEC Capital Job Board—your gateway to high-impact Executive Director roles across a wide range of sectors. We partner with ambitious organisations seeking strategic guidance, governance expertise, and independent thinking at board level.

Your next boardroom opportunity starts here.

Managing Director

Managing Director

East London | £120,000–£160,000 + Performance Bonus Exec Capital is recruiting on behalf of a leading e-commerce fashion business based in East London. Our client...
Managing Director

Managing Director

Bilston, West Midlands | £80,000–£90,000 + Benefits Exec Capital is recruiting on behalf of a well-established SME operating within the specialist environmental services and industrial...
Fractional Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Fractional Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Remote | 1–1.5 Days per Week | Fractional Executive Opportunity Our client is entering a pivotal growth stage and is seeking an experienced Fractional Chief...