Fractional CTO for startups and growing businesses
Senior technical leadership a few days a month, without the cost or commitment of a full-time CTO. I'm based in Camberley and work with founders across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London - remotely day to day, and on site when it matters.
Also known as: part-time CTO · interim CTO · outsourced CTO · virtual CTO · CTO as a service · fractional engineering leader
Who it's for
Is Fractional CTO right for you?
- Non-technical founders who need a technical partner to make the big calls
- Startups that have outgrown a lead developer but aren't ready for a full-time CTO
- Growing teams where delivery has slowed and nobody owns how engineering works
- Businesses between CTOs who need interim technical leadership and a steady hand
- Companies raising investment that need a credible technical voice in the room
Senior technical leadership without a full-time hire. Direction, team leadership, and a technical voice for investors and the board.
- Technical strategy and product roadmap
- Engineering team leadership and mentoring
- Scaling engineering teams and delivery processes
- Investor and board representation
What a fractional CTO does
The same job as a full-time CTO, scaled to what the business needs right now: setting technical strategy, shaping the product roadmap, leading and mentoring the engineering team, choosing and overseeing agencies and contractors, managing technical risk, and representing technology to investors and the board.
How the time works
A set number of days each month, agreed up front and reviewed as needs change. Most of that is remote, with regular on-site days for planning, workshops, team sessions and board meetings for clients across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London.
Why fractional instead of full-time
A full-time CTO is one of the most expensive and hardest hires a young company makes - and getting it wrong is costly. A fractional CTO gives you senior experience from day one, at a fraction of the cost, and can help you hire your first full-time CTO or head of engineering when the time is right.
Experience you're getting
14+ years across engineering, product and commercial leadership, including CTO and Head of Core Technology roles. I've scaled an engineering team from 5 to 18, delivered platforms used by more than 11 million customers, and worked directly with Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
FAQ
Questions about Fractional CTO
- What is a fractional CTO?
- A fractional CTO is an experienced Chief Technology Officer who works with your business part-time - typically a few days a month - rather than as a full-time employee. You get senior technical leadership and strategy without the cost of a full-time executive hire.
- How many days a month does a fractional CTO work?
- It depends on the stage and the problem. Some businesses need a couple of days a month of strategic direction; others need more hands-on leadership through a critical period. The number of days is agreed up front and reviewed as things change.
- What's the difference between a fractional CTO and an interim CTO?
- An interim CTO usually covers a gap full-time for a fixed period, for example between permanent hires. A fractional CTO works part-time on an ongoing basis. A fractional engagement can step up to interim-style cover for a period if the business needs it.
- Do you work on site?
- Yes. Day-to-day work is remote, and I regularly work on site with clients across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London - Camberley, Guildford, Woking, Farnborough, Reading, Basingstoke and central London are all within easy reach.
- Can a fractional CTO help us hire a full-time CTO?
- Yes. Defining the role, running the technical side of hiring and handing over to a permanent CTO or head of engineering is a common part of a fractional engagement.
Other ways to work together
Based in Camberley and working across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and London.