Contract CEO Jobs UK
Interim and contract Chief Executive Officer opportunities
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What type of CEO do you need?
Key Takeaways
- 1Fractional CEOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
- 2UK day rates range from £1000 to £2000, depending on experience and sector
- 3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
- 4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
- 5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods
Contract CEO Roles
Quick Definition
Contract Chief Executive Officers provide interim executive leadership during transitions, turnarounds, or strategic pivots. Engagements typically run 6-18 months with day rates from 1500-2500 GBP.
UK CEO Contract Market
The UK interim CEO market serves companies in transition including PE-backed turnarounds, founder exits, and transformation programs. Demand is driven by speed to value and specialized expertise.
Typical Requirements
| Area | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Experience | 20+ years with CEO or MD experience |
| Track Record | P&L ownership and value creation |
| Skills | Turnaround, growth, or transformation |
| Availability | Often immediate start required |
Cost Comparison
Fractional vs Full-Time Executive
Your Potential Savings
£230k+
Time Allocation
How fractional executives spend their time
UK Fractional Executive Day Rates
Compare day rates across C-suite roles
Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time
Choose the right engagement model
| Aspect | Fractional | Interim | Full-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Commitment | 1-3 days/week | 4-5 days/week | 5 days/week |
| Duration | Ongoing/flexible | 3-12 months | Permanent |
| Annual Cost | £50-150k | £150-300k | £200-400k+ |
| Best For | SMEs, startups, scale-ups | Crisis, transitions | Large enterprises |
| Flexibility | ★★★ High | ★★☆ Medium | ★☆☆ Low |
Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.
Calculate Your Day Rate
Calculate Your Potential Income
Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CEO UK average day rate: £1200.
BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.
Related Executive Roles
Complementary leadership for your organisation
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
A contract CEO provides interim executive leadership including strategy, operations, and stakeholder management.
Related Pages
The Fractional Executive Trend
Industry data on the rise of fractional leadership
of executives who moved to fractional work report higher job satisfaction
Source: Harvard Business Review ↗Platform Stats
Founder's background
📊 CEO Market Snapshot
💰 CEO Day Rates
Based on 2026 market data for UK CEO roles.
