Frequently Asked Questions

A Fractional CTO is an experienced technology executive who provides part-time strategic leadership to companies that need CTO-level expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. Unlike consultants who advise from the outside, a Fractional CTO embeds with your team, makes decisions, and is accountable for technology outcomes. This model is ideal for startups and scale-ups that need senior technical leadership but aren't ready for a full-time executive - or when the existing leadership team needs support to grow, adapt, or evolve with the next phase of growth.

Consider a Fractional CTO when: - You're a non-technical founder building a tech product - You're pre-seed to Series B and need technical leadership but can't justify a full-time CTO salary - You're preparing for technical due diligence ahead of fundraising or M&A - You need to build or restructure your engineering team - You're facing critical technology decisions (architecture, stack, vendors) - Your current technology isn't scaling with your business growth

A full-time CTO is dedicated 100% to your company, typically earning £150,000-£300,000+ annually plus equity. A Fractional CTO provides the same strategic expertise at a fraction of the cost, working with your company 1-4 days per week. For many early-stage companies, a Fractional CTO provides the right level of senior leadership while being more cost-effective. As your company grows, you can transition to a full-time CTO when the scale justifies it.

The key difference is accountability for results. Consultants typically provide recommendations and reports, then move on. A Fractional CTO is an embedded member of your leadership team who: - Takes ownership of technology strategy and execution - Leads and manages your engineering team directly - Makes decisions and is accountable for outcomes - Attends board meetings and investor calls - Stays engaged over months or years, not just weeks It's about the consequences - being action-oriented and accountable for the results, not just providing advice. Think of a consultant as an advisor, and a Fractional CTO as a hands-on leader who shares responsibility for your success.

Engagement typically ranges from 1 to 4 days per week, depending on your needs: - 1 day/week: Strategic oversight, monthly planning, team mentoring - 2 days/week: Active involvement in roadmap, architecture decisions, hiring - 3-4 days/week: Deep engagement, leading major initiatives or transformations Most clients start with 1-2 days per week and adjust based on project phases and priorities.

I have deep expertise in: - E-commerce & Retail Tech: Built platforms handling millions of transactions - Media & Entertainment Tech: Founded Utelly (acquired by Synamedia), built content discovery and recommendation systems for major broadcasters - Fashion Tech: Co-founded Fit Collective, built ML-powered sizing solutions I also work with startups in SaaS, marketplaces, and B2B tech. My technical expertise (AI/ML, data platforms, API architecture) transfers across industries.

I help companies identify and implement practical AI automation opportunities: - AI Strategy: Cutting through the hype to find real ROI opportunities - ML Product Development: Building recommendation systems, predictive models, and intelligent automation - AI Integration: Implementing LLMs, computer vision, and other AI capabilities into existing products - MLOps: Setting up infrastructure for training, deploying, and monitoring ML models - Automation Design Sprints: 1-4 day workshops to identify and prototype automation opportunities With 25+ years in tech and hands-on AI/ML experience, I help you avoid expensive mistakes and focus on what actually works.

Yes, this is one of my core services. Having been through acquisitions from both sides (as a founder being acquired and as part of the acquiring company), I help companies: - Assess and document your current technology landscape - Identify and address technical debt and risks - Prepare architecture documentation and roadmaps - Coach your team on what investors/acquirers look for - Participate in due diligence calls and answer technical questions Proper preparation can significantly impact your valuation and deal success.

The process is simple: 1. Book a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your situation 2. I'll assess your needs and propose an engagement model 3. We start with a defined scope - often a technology assessment or strategy sprint 4. Based on results, we can continue with ongoing Fractional CTO engagement There's no long-term commitment required upfront. Let's talk and see if there's a fit.