Episodes

March 9, 2026

Understanding FCA Section 166 Reviews – What Every Financial Firm Needs to Know

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re unpacking one of the most important regulatory tools in UK financial services: the Section 166 Skilled Person Review. If you’re a regulated firm, compliance professional, or senior leader in financial services, this is a topic you can’t afford to ignore. Today’s episode is inspired by the insights shared on the FD Capital page about Section 166 reviews, and we’ll walk through what they are, why they happen, and how firms can respond effectively. A Sectio...
March 7, 2026

London FD & CFO Recruitment: Securing Financial Leadership in the Capital

Welcome to today’s podcast episode, where we’re focusing on a critical topic for growing businesses in the UK’s largest commercial hub — London FD and CFO recruitment. London is one of the world’s most competitive business environments. Companies operate across industries such as finance, fintech, technology, real estate, and professional services. In such a fast-moving market, strong financial leadership is essential for managing growth, raising capital, and navigating regulatory complexity. ...
March 7, 2026

Finding the Right School Bursar: How Specialist Recruitment Can Transform Education Finance

Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re talking about one of the most important leadership roles within a school that often stays behind the scenes — the School Bursar. Every successful school relies on strong financial management. While teachers focus on learning and headteachers guide academic strategy, the bursar ensures the financial and operational foundation of the school remains strong. Today we’re exploring why this role is so critical and how specialist recruitment can help schools fi...
March 7, 2026

Recruiting the Right University Bursar: Building Financial Strength in Higher Education

Welcome to today’s podcast, where we’re discussing a vital leadership role within higher education — the University Bursar. While academic leadership often takes the spotlight, strong financial leadership behind the scenes is essential for universities to operate effectively and plan for the future. In this episode we’ll look at why the bursar role is so important and how specialist recruitment can help universities find the right candidate. To learn more about this topic, you can visit: https:...
March 7, 2026

Fractional Chief Risk Officer Recruitment: Flexible Risk Leadership for Modern Businesses

Welcome to today’s podcast episode, where we’re exploring a growing trend in executive leadership — the Fractional Chief Risk Officer, often known as a fractional CRO. As businesses face increasing regulatory requirements, cybersecurity threats, and operational uncertainties, risk management has become a board-level priority. Yet not every organisation needs, or can justify, hiring a full-time Chief Risk Officer. In this episode we’ll discuss how fractional risk leadership works and how specia...
March 7, 2026

Finance Job Descriptions: Understanding Key Roles in the Modern Finance Team

Welcome to today’s podcast episode, where we’re exploring an essential resource for businesses building strong financial leadership — finance job descriptions. When organisations begin hiring finance professionals, one of the biggest challenges is defining the role clearly. Finance teams include many specialised positions, from Chief Financial Officers to management accountants, and each role carries different responsibilities and expectations. In this episode we’ll discuss why clear finance j...
March 7, 2026

Recruitment for FCA Regulated Firms: Finding the Right Talent in Financial Services

Welcome to today’s podcast episode, where we’re discussing one of the most important challenges facing financial services organisations — recruitment for FCA regulated firms. Companies operating under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority must meet strict regulatory standards, maintain strong governance, and ensure their leadership teams understand compliance responsibilities. Because of this, hiring the right people is absolutely critical. In this episode we’ll explore why recrui...
Feb. 20, 2026

Inviting Finance Directors and CFOs to Share Their Leadership Journey

Welcome to the FD Capital Podcast. Today’s episode is an invitation to experienced Finance Directors, CFOs, and senior finance professionals who are shaping the future of finance leadership. At FD Capital, we work closely with growth companies, SMEs, and investors to appoint high-quality finance leaders. Every day, we see the impact that experienced Finance Directors and CFOs have on organisations — improving financial visibility, strengthening controls, supporting strategic decision-making, ...
Feb. 20, 2026

Why London CFOs Are More Valuable Than Ever in 2026

Welcome to the FD Capital Podcast, the show where we explore the trends, insights, and leadership strategies shaping finance teams across the UK and beyond. Today’s episode focuses on a topic that is especially relevant right now — the growing importance of London CFOs and why businesses across the capital are increasingly relying on their expertise to navigate uncertainty and drive growth. London remains one of the world’s most important financial centres. Despite economic headwinds, including...
Feb. 20, 2026

How FD Capital Is Reaching a Wider Audience Through Business Matters Magazine

Welcome to the FD Capital Podcast, the show where we explore finance leadership, career progression, and the evolving role of Finance Directors and CFOs in modern businesses. Today’s episode focuses on an important platform that helps us share our insights with a wider business audience — Business Matters Magazine, available at bmmagazine.co.uk. At FD Capital, our mission is not only to connect businesses with experienced Finance Directors and CFOs, but also to educate the market. We work with ...
Jan. 30, 2026

Unlock Strategic Growth — Why a Fractional CFO Could Be Your Game-Changer in 2026

Host: Welcome back to Business Insight Labs — the podcast that brings you practical strategies and expert thinking to grow smarter, faster, and with more confidence. Today, we’re focusing on a topic more UK leaders are asking about in 2026: Fractional CFOs — what they are, how they help, and why they could be the strategic advantage your business has been missing. 🔹 What is a Fractional CFO? Let’s start with the basics. A fractional CFO — sometimes called a part-time CFO — delivers senior finan...
Jan. 25, 2026

Cost of a UK CFO? Breaking Down Salary, Value, and Smarter Alternatives

Welcome back to the show, where we explore the realities behind leadership, finance, and business growth. Today’s question sounds simple on the surface: What is the cost of a UK CFO? But as with most things in business, the real answer goes far beyond a single salary number. Because the true cost of a CFO isn’t just what you pay them. It’s what they deliver, what they enable, and what they potentially save—or cost—you. Let’s start with the headline figure. In the UK, a full-time Chief Financi...
Jan. 17, 2026

Demystifying Finance — Your Practical Guide with the FD Capital Knowledge Centre

Welcome back to Business Unlocked, the show that brings expert insights straight to founders, CEOs, finance leaders and anyone who wants a smarter way to grow their organisation. I’m your host, and today we’re diving into a resource every business leader should know about — the FD Capital Knowledge Centre. 🎯 What is the FD Capital Knowledge Centre? The FD Capital Knowledge Centre isn’t another dry finance blog. It’s a practical, plain-English financial hub created by FD Capital, a boutique rec...
Nov. 8, 2025

Finance Leadership That Scales: Why an FD or CFO Is Your Next Smart Hire

Welcome to The Growth & Finance Podcast, where we explore how smart financial leadership drives business success. I’m Adrian Lawrence, and today we’re tackling a question every growing company faces: When’s the right time to hire a Finance Director or CFO? We’ll explore what these roles actually do, when you should bring one in, and how FD Capital helps you find the perfect fit — full-time, part-time, or fractional. Segment 1: Why financial leadership matters When businesses start out, founder...
Oct. 1, 2025

When You Don’t Need Full Time, But You Need Full Expertise — The Case for Fixed-Term FDs & CFOs

Host: Welcome to Finance Leadership Unlocked, the podcast where we explore how businesses can build smarter, scalable, agile finance teams without overcommitting. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and today we’re diving into a topic that more and more companies are embracing — hiring fixed-term, interim, or fractional FDs and CFOs. We’ll talk through when this makes sense, how to make it work, and why FD Capital is uniquely positioned to help you get it done right. 1. The Problem: Full-Time CFOs ...
Aug. 17, 2025

Navigating the Storm — The Crisis Management NED in Action

Welcome to Boardroom Resilience, the podcast where we unpack leadership roles that guide organizations through their toughest moments. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence. Today, we’re diving into a specialized boardroom role—the Crisis Management Non-Executive Director—and how they help steer firms through turbulent waters. Host: A Crisis Management NED is a Non-Executive Director brought onboard specifically to help organizations manage, respond to, and recover from crises. They’re not temporary s...
June 14, 2025

Why a NED Might Be the Smartest Decision You Make This Year

Hello and welcome to Boardroom Breakthroughs—the podcast where we explore how leadership, strategy, and expertise drive growth in today’s competitive business world. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and in this episode, we’re diving into a topic that can change the trajectory of your business—Non-Executive Directors, or NEDs. You might be thinking, “Do I really need a NED?” If you’re a founder, a CEO, or part of a growing leadership team—yes, you just might. And today, we’re going to explore wh...
June 6, 2025

Why the Right NED Could Change Everything

Hey there, and welcome back to FD Capital— where we talk strategy, leadership, and the future of business. I’m your host, and today we’re diving into a topic that doesn't always make the headlines — but might just be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make for your business. I’m talking about non-executive directors, or NEDs — and more importantly, how to find the right ones. So if you're a founder, CEO, investor, or even part of a growing startup looking to take things to the nex...
June 3, 2025

Strategic Finance Starts Here – Unlocking Growth with the Right Financial Controller

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Smarter Scale Show—your go-to podcast for navigating the toughest parts of business growth. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and today we’re talking about a hire that can transform your company’s trajectory. We’re diving into the Financial Controller role—why it matters, when to hire one, and how to make sure you find the right person. And spoiler alert: this isn’t a DIY job. That’s why we’re highlighting a specialist partner in this space—Accountancy Capital, w...
Nov. 24, 2024

Beauty Unveiled: Exploring SP Beauty's Aesthetic Excellence

In this episode of "Beauty Unveiled," we delve into the world of SP Beauty, a premier provider of aesthetic treatments and mobile hairdressing services across the East and West Midlands. Join us as we explore their range of services, commitment to enhancing natural beauty, and the personalized care they offer to clients in areas like Tamworth, Cannock, Aldridge, and Walsall. Episode Outline: Introduction Welcome listeners to "Beauty Unveiled." Introduce the episode's focus on SP Beauty and t...
Nov. 24, 2024

Beauty Unveiled: Exploring SP Beauty's Aesthetic Excellence

In this episode of "Beauty Unveiled," we delve into the world of SP Beauty, a premier provider of aesthetic treatments and mobile hairdressing services across the East and West Midlands. Join us as we explore their range of services, commitment to enhancing natural beauty, and the personalized care they offer to clients in areas like Tamworth, Cannock, Aldridge, and Walsall. Episode Outline: Introduction Welcome listeners to "Beauty Unveiled."Introduce the episode's focus on SP Beauty an...
Oct. 21, 2024

Executive Insights: Recruiting Remote CFOs for the Future of Finance

Host: Welcome to "Executive Insights," the podcast where we explore the latest trends, strategies, and challenges in recruiting top-tier executives. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and today, we’re diving into an increasingly popular and transformative topic: recruiting remote CFOs—yes, that’s right, Chief Financial Officers who work 100% remotely. Whether you’re a growing business looking to hire your first remote CFO, or a financial executive considering a remote role, we’ve got expert insigh...
Oct. 21, 2024

Executive Insights: Recruiting Part-Time Finance Directors

Host: Welcome to "Executive Insights," the show where we break down the trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the recruitment of top-level talent. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and today’s episode is all about a growing trend in the finance world—the recruitment of part-time Finance Directors. Whether you're a business leader looking to strengthen your financial team or a finance professional considering a part-time role, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Let's get into it! ...
Oct. 21, 2024

Untitled Episode

Host: Welcome to "Executive Insights," the podcast where we explore the latest trends, strategies, and challenges in recruiting top-tier executives. I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and today, we’re diving into an increasingly popular and transformative topic: recruiting remote CFOs—yes, that’s right, Chief Financial Officers who work 100% remotely. Whether you’re a growing business looking to hire your first remote CFO, or a financial executive considering a remote role, we’ve got expert insi...