Question 1

What exactly does a fractional CTO do?

Accepted Answer

A fractional CTO provides the strategic technology leadership of a Chief Technology Officer on a part-time or contract basis. This typically includes defining your technology strategy, evaluating and selecting tools and platforms, managing development teams or vendors, reviewing code and architecture, advising on security and compliance, and ensuring your technology investments align with your business goals. Think of it as having a senior technology advisor on call without the six-figure salary.

Question 2

How much does a fractional CTO cost?

Accepted Answer

Fractional CTO engagements typically range from £2,000 to £6,000 per month for 1–2 days per week of dedicated time. This compares very favourably to a full-time CTO salary of £120,000–£180,000 per year (plus benefits, equity, and recruitment costs). The exact cost depends on the scope of work, the complexity of your technology landscape, and the level of hands-on involvement required.

Question 3

What are the different engagement models?

Accepted Answer

We offer three main models: a monthly retainer (fixed number of days per month for ongoing strategic guidance), a project-based engagement (focused on a specific initiative like a technology audit or platform migration), and an advisory arrangement (lighter touch, typically a few hours per month for ad hoc guidance and quarterly strategy reviews). Most clients start with a retainer and adjust as their needs evolve.

Question 4

How do we work together on a day-to-day basis?

Accepted Answer

We integrate into your existing communication channels — whether that is Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, or regular video calls. Most retainer clients have a weekly standing meeting plus asynchronous communication throughout the week. We are available for urgent questions between scheduled sessions. The goal is to feel like a natural extension of your team, not a distant consultant who only appears once a month.

Question 5

When should a business consider a fractional CTO?

Accepted Answer

A fractional CTO makes sense when you are spending money on technology but are not sure if it is the right technology, when you are about to make a significant technology investment and need expert guidance, when your development team needs senior technical oversight, or when you are scaling and need to build a technology strategy but cannot justify a full-time executive. It is particularly common among businesses with £500,000 to £10 million in revenue.

Question 6

How does a fractional CTO compare to hiring a full-time CTO?

Accepted Answer

A full-time CTO is the right choice when technology is your core product and you need someone dedicated five days a week. A fractional CTO is better when technology supports your business but is not the product itself, or when you need senior expertise but not a full-time role. The fractional model gives you access to the same calibre of leadership at a fraction of the cost, with the flexibility to scale up or down as your needs change.

Question 7

What happens in the first 90 days?

Accepted Answer

The first 90 days follow a structured onboarding process. In the first month, we conduct a comprehensive technology audit — reviewing your current systems, architecture, team capabilities, and spending. In the second month, we develop a prioritised technology roadmap aligned with your business objectives. By the end of the third month, we have typically delivered at least one quick-win improvement and established the ongoing rhythm of strategic guidance and oversight.

Question 8

Can a fractional CTO help with vendor management?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — vendor management is one of the most valuable aspects of the role. We review contracts and proposals from development agencies, SaaS providers, and hosting companies with a technical eye. This means you get honest assessments of whether a vendor is overcharging, underdelivering, or recommending technology that does not fit your needs. Many clients recoup the cost of our engagement through better vendor negotiations alone.

Question 9

Can a fractional CTO help me hire technical staff?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We help define job descriptions, review CVs, conduct technical interviews, and assess candidates' skills. We also advise on team structure — whether you need full-time developers, contractors, or an agency, and how to structure the team for your current stage of growth. Having a fractional CTO involved in hiring helps you avoid costly mis-hires and ensures new team members have the right technical skills for your stack.

Question 10

How do you approach technical strategy?

Accepted Answer

Our approach to technical strategy starts with understanding your business goals, not your technology. We map out where you want to be in 12–24 months, assess your current technology landscape, identify the gaps, and create a prioritised roadmap to close them. Strategy includes decisions about build vs buy, platform selection, architecture patterns, security posture, and team structure. It is a living document that we review and update quarterly.

Question 11

Is a fractional CTO better for startups or established businesses?

Accepted Answer

Both benefit, but for different reasons. Startups need a fractional CTO to make the right foundational technology decisions, avoid expensive mistakes, and build an MVP efficiently. Established businesses typically need help modernising legacy systems, improving team performance, or preparing for a growth phase. The key difference is that startups usually need more hands-on involvement, while established businesses often benefit more from strategic oversight and governance.

Question 12

What happens when the engagement ends?

Accepted Answer

We believe in building independence, not dependency. Throughout the engagement, we document all decisions, architecture, and processes. When the time comes to transition — whether to a full-time hire or simply because your needs have changed — we provide a comprehensive handover including documentation, recommendations for the next 6–12 months, and introductions to our replacement if you hire one. We also offer a light-touch advisory retainer for ongoing access to guidance.

Question 13

Who owns the intellectual property from work done?

Accepted Answer

You do. All intellectual property created during the engagement belongs to your business. This includes code, architecture documents, strategy documents, and any other deliverables. This is clearly stated in our engagement contracts. We do not retain any IP rights or place restrictions on how you use the work product. Your technology assets are yours, full stop.

Question 14

How do you handle confidential information?

Accepted Answer

We sign a mutual NDA before any engagement begins and treat all client information as strictly confidential. We use secure, encrypted communication channels and follow data handling best practices. We never share client information with other clients, and we are happy to comply with any additional confidentiality requirements your organisation may have. Trust is the foundation of the fractional CTO relationship.

Question 15

How do I get started with a fractional CTO engagement?

Accepted Answer

The process starts with an initial consultation — a free, no-obligation conversation where we learn about your business, your technology challenges, and your goals. From there, we provide a proposal outlining the recommended engagement model, scope of work, and pricing. If it is a good fit for both sides, we can typically start within 1–2 weeks. There are no long-term contracts; we earn your business month by month.

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