The Chief Strategy Officer role commands premium compensation reflecting the strategic importance of corporate planning. According to [PayScale](https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Chief_Strategy_Officer/Salary), the average CSO salary is **£136,000** with a range of **£77,000 to £242,000**.

[Morgan McKinley](https://www.morganmckinley.com/uk/salary-guide/data/strategy-director/london) reports Strategy Director salaries in London of **£105,000 to £150,000**.

The [Renoir Interim Remuneration Guide](https://renoirinterim.com/) (June 2025) shows CSO day rates ranging from **£900-£2,000** depending on business stage and complexity.

Many CSOs come from strategy consulting backgrounds. [PrepLounge](https://www.preplounge.com/en/blog/consulting/salary/uk) provides consulting salary benchmarks:

- **Senior Consultant/Manager**: £92,000-£125,000 (avg £110,000) - **Principal/Director**: £120,000-£165,000 (avg £143,000) - **Partner/Managing Director**: £200,000-£1,050,000+ (avg £625,000)

CSO salaries typically align with Director/Principal level consulting compensation, making the role attractive for former consultants seeking in-house strategic leadership positions.

Fractional CSO arrangements offer compelling economics:

**Cost comparison (1 day per week)**: - Fractional CSO: £800-£1,200/day × 52 weeks = **£41,600-£62,400/year** - Full-time CSO: £136,000 salary + 30% benefits = **£176,800/year** - **Savings: £115,000+ annually**

Fractional CSOs deliver strategic planning, M&A strategy, market analysis, growth planning, and board strategy support without full-time overhead.