Specialisms of Ned Capital

Unlock the Power of Experience at Board Level

Every board benefits from experience — but not all experience is the same.
At NED Capital, we specialise in connecting organisations with non-executive directors who bring more than credentials: they bring lived leadership.

Our network is built around a simple idea: great governance thrives when practical experience meets strategic insight.

From seasoned CFOs with thirty years in financial leadership, to CMOs who have built global brands, to CTOs who’ve steered digital transformation — our candidates are proven executives ready to apply their expertise in a non-executive capacity.

Whether you’re a listed business seeking independent oversight, a private company professionalising your board, or an ambitious scale-up needing strategic guidance, we can introduce you to professionals who have been there, done it, and want to help others succeed.

Our Approach to Specialist NED Recruitment

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all recruitment.
Every business has its own priorities — governance, growth, transformation, succession, or shareholder value — and those priorities demand different skill sets.

That’s why we’ve structured our search and network around seven distinct specialisms, each representing a major area of board-level impact.

Each specialism reflects a community within our network: experienced leaders who have operated at the highest levels and are now ready to contribute as NEDs, Committee Chairs, Trustees, or Fractional Executives.

1. Finance & Governance (CFO / FD / Audit)

Financial leadership is the backbone of effective governance.

Our finance specialists include former Chief Financial Officers, Finance Directors, and Audit Committee Chairs who have spent decades ensuring financial discipline, compliance, and shareholder confidence.

These are executives who’ve navigated everything from IPOs and restructures to M&A and funding rounds. They understand not only the technical aspects of finance but also the strategic levers that sustain growth.

Why clients value them

• Governance and oversight: NEDs with finance backgrounds bring rigour to board discussions and help strengthen reporting and control frameworks.

• Risk management: Their insight into capital structure, forecasting, and regulatory compliance provides assurance to investors and stakeholders.

• Strategic finance: They challenge assumptions, assess investment opportunities, and align financial strategy with long-term vision.

Typical profiles include:

• Ex-CFOs from FTSE-listed or PE-backed businesses

• Former Finance Directors from complex multi-national environments

• Senior auditors and finance specialists transitioning into portfolio careers

For many businesses, a financial NED is the anchor of board credibility — a trusted voice ensuring that ambition and accountability move in step.

2. Commercial & Marketing (CEO / CCO / CMO)

Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it’s driven by vision, customers, and brand.

Our commercial and marketing specialists bring that focus to the boardroom. They include former CEOs, CMOs, and Commercial Directors who have built market-leading businesses and understand what drives sustainable growth.

Why clients value them

• Customer perspective: They ensure the board never loses sight of market dynamics and customer experience.

• Brand and reputation: These NEDs bring real-world marketing expertise — from product strategy to brand stewardship and stakeholder engagement.

• Commercial strategy: Their insight helps boards evaluate go-to-market models, pricing, partnerships, and competitive positioning.

For growth companies and consumer-facing brands, a CMO-level NED can be transformational — bridging the gap between board vision and market reality.

Typical profiles include:

• CMOs from global consumer brands transitioning into plural careers

• CEOs and MDs who have scaled businesses domestically and internationally

• Commercial Directors with expertise in digital, retail, or B2B services

They don’t just advise on marketing — they help shape sustainable commercial success.

3. Technology & Digital (CTO / CIO / CDO)

Every organisation today is, in some sense, a technology business.

Boards are increasingly expected to understand digital risk, data governance, and the opportunities of AI, automation, and analytics.

Our Technology & Digital specialists include former CTOs, CIOs, and Chief Digital Officers who have led complex transformation programmes, implemented large-scale systems, and managed cyber resilience.

Why clients value them

• Digital oversight: They help boards evaluate technology investments, transformation timelines, and ROI.

• Cyber and data governance: They bring crucial insight into risk mitigation, resilience, and regulatory compliance.

• Innovation and competitiveness: Their strategic input helps organisations stay relevant in rapidly evolving markets.

Typical profiles include:

• CIOs from financial services and regulated industries

• CTOs from tech scale-ups and software firms

• Data and AI specialists with experience in digital disruption

For boards navigating transformation, a technology-savvy NED offers both assurance and opportunity — ensuring digital strategy aligns with organisational ambition.

4. People & Culture (CHRO / HRD / ESG / Diversity)

Behind every strategy is a team that makes it happen.

Our People & Culture specialists are former Chief People Officers, HR Directors, and ESG leaders who understand how culture, governance, and human capital drive sustainable performance.

Why clients value them

• Board balance and diversity: They bring people-centric perspectives to decision-making, supporting inclusive and high-performing boards.

• Remuneration and succession: Many have chaired or served on Remuneration and Nomination Committees, guiding succession planning and executive reward.

• ESG and sustainability: Increasingly, boards rely on people leaders to oversee the “S” in ESG — workforce engagement, culture, and ethical governance.

Typical profiles include:

• HR Directors from listed companies

• ESG leads from global corporations

• Diversity and inclusion specialists with governance expertise

As businesses face greater scrutiny on social responsibility and leadership behaviour, these NEDs help ensure boards reflect the values they expect from their organisations.

5. Operations & Supply Chain (COO / Manufacturing / Logistics)

Operational excellence may not always make headlines, but it keeps companies alive.

Our Operations & Supply Chain specialists are drawn from COOs, Manufacturing Directors, and Supply Chain Leaders who have built resilient, efficient, and scalable operations across industries.

Why clients value them

• Execution and resilience: They bring pragmatic insight into cost control, risk management, and performance measurement.

• Transformation leadership: Many have delivered lean, digital, or sustainability initiatives that reshape operational efficiency.

• Crisis and continuity planning: Their experience ensures the board understands operational risk and contingency.

Typical profiles include:

• COOs from complex, multi-site businesses

• Supply chain specialists with international experience

• Operations leaders from manufacturing, logistics, or infrastructure sectors

For businesses in production, distribution, or regulated environments, operational NEDs provide invaluable practical judgement — balancing strategy with deliverability.

6. Sector Expertise

Every industry faces unique challenges — regulation, technology, consumer behaviour, or investor expectations.

That’s why we maintain a network of NEDs with deep sector expertise across key verticals:

• Financial Services: Governance, risk, and regulatory oversight.

• Technology & SaaS: Innovation, scaling, and investment readiness.

• Consumer & Retail: Brand, supply chain, and digital transformation.

• Healthcare & Life Sciences: Compliance, ethics, and patient outcomes.

• Professional Services: Growth, partnership models, and people strategy.

• Charities & Not-for-Profit: Trustee experience and mission-led governance.

Why clients value them

• Immediate relevance: Sector familiarity shortens onboarding and strengthens board challenge.

• Network access: Industry NEDs bring valuable stakeholder and investor relationships.

• Credibility: For regulators, investors, or partners, having an independent director with recognised sector credentials signals confidence and maturity.

We believe the most effective boards blend functional expertise with sector-specific insight — ensuring strategic advice is grounded in reality.

7. Fractional & Portfolio Executives

Not every organisation needs a full-time executive — but every organisation can benefit from executive-level wisdom.

Our Fractional and Portfolio Executives bring flexibility and impact. These are senior professionals — often semi-retired or post-exit — who combine NED roles with advisory or part-time executive positions.

Why clients value them

• Cost-effective expertise: Access seasoned leadership without long-term cost.

• Agility: Support during growth, turnaround, or transition phases.

• Continuity: Ideal for founder-led or family businesses professionalising their leadership.

Typical profiles include:

• Fractional CFOs supporting investment readiness or exit planning

• Interim CEOs guiding succession transitions

• Portfolio executives balancing several NED or trustee appointments

For many SMEs and scale-ups, fractional and portfolio appointments provide the perfect bridge between advisory input and operational leadership.

How We Work with Clients

Every client engagement begins with understanding — your strategy, your board composition, your culture, and your challenges.

From there, we identify what blend of experience would most strengthen your board.
Sometimes it’s financial discipline; other times it’s digital transformation or people culture.
Our specialisms framework allows us to pinpoint the experience you need and match it with the right candidate quickly and confidently.

We go beyond CVs. Our assessment focuses on:

• Governance understanding

• Cultural and values fit

• Boardroom communication style

• Strategic alignment

Every candidate is fully referenced and briefed on your business, ensuring that when introductions are made, conversations start at the right level.

Why Businesses Choose NED Capital

• Depth of network: A curated database of thousands of proven executives across every major discipline.

• Specialist focus: Decades of experience in non-executive and fractional appointments.

• Understanding both sides: We work daily with boards seeking governance strength and with senior executives transitioning into portfolio careers.

• Flexible solutions: Full NED, fractional, or advisory roles — tailored to the size, sector, and stage of your business.

• Confidentiality and integrity: Discreet, relationship-driven, and trusted by clients from FTSE companies to privately owned SMEs.

We don’t just fill board seats — we help shape effective, future-ready boards.

For Executives Considering a Portfolio Career

While our core audience is organisations seeking NEDs, we also work closely with senior executives considering a transition into non-executive roles.

If you are a seasoned CFO, CEO, or CMO thinking about your next chapter, we can guide you through:

• Preparing for NED readiness — understanding governance responsibilities

• Positioning your experience to boards and investors

• Identifying sectors or organisations that align with your expertise and interests

Our goal is to ensure both sides — client and candidate — benefit from enduring, value-adding appointments.

Conclusion: The Power of Specialist Experience

Boards today face unprecedented complexity — from regulatory change and cyber threats to ESG scrutiny and market volatility.
The solution lies not in more meetings, but in better composition: boards that blend governance knowledge with real-world experience.

At NED Capital, our specialisms reflect that belief.
Each one represents a discipline critical to board performance — finance, marketing, technology, people, operations, sector knowledge, and flexible leadership.

Together, they form the foundation of a network designed to help boards not only govern, but grow.

Whether you’re strengthening your board or seeking your first NED appointment, we’re here to help you connect experience with opportunity.