Whether you’re recruiting for a single SMF designation or reviewing a wider governance and compliance structure, the quickest way to get a useful answer is to call or email directly — every enquiry is read and handled personally by Adrian Lawrence FCA, not routed through a general inbox.
Same working day, in most cases
What to Tell Us When You Get in Touch
We can give you a far more useful first answer if your message covers the following from the outset, rather than a general enquiry we then need to follow up on:
- The specific SMF designation, or designations, you’re recruiting for — if you’re not sure which one applies, tell us the role and its reporting line and we’ll help you work it out
- Your firm type and regulatory permissions — FCA solo-regulated, dual-regulated with the PRA, or in the process of authorisation
- Whether you’re looking for a permanent, interim or fractional appointment
- Any timing pressure — an unplanned vacancy, a known departure date, or a proactive succession search
- Whether this is a first approach to us, or you’re already part way through a search that isn’t progressing
If any of this isn’t clear yet, that’s fine — get in touch anyway and we’ll work through it together on the call.
What Happens After You Contact Us
Adrian reads every enquiry personally and will typically respond the same working day. For most searches, the next step is a short call to understand the role, the firm’s specific regulatory context, and the timeline you’re working to, before any discussion of fees or candidates. There’s no obligation attached to that initial conversation, and if what you need sits better with one of our sister practices — FD Capital, Exec Capital, NED Capital or Accountancy Capital — we’ll say so directly and make the introduction ourselves.
Not Sure This Is the Right Practice?
SMF Capital focuses specifically on FCA Senior Manager Function appointments. If your search doesn’t carry an SMF designation, one of our sister practices is likely a better fit.
FD Capital
Fractional and interim CFOs and Finance Directors, including non-SMF finance roles.
Exec Capital
C-suite and board-level search without a regulatory dimension.
NED Capital
Non-executive director appointments at unregulated and lightly regulated firms.
Accountancy Capital
Qualified finance appointments below director level, including CASS and regulatory reporting.
Adrian Lawrence FCA — Founder, SMF Capital
Adrian is a Fellow of the ICAEW and holds an ICAEW practising certificate in his own name. He founded FD Capital in 2018 and has since built out Exec Capital, NED Capital and Accountancy Capital alongside SMF Capital. Every enquiry to SMF Capital is read and answered personally by Adrian. View Adrian’s ICAEW profile.