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What does "fractional" really mean and how does it apply to CTO roles?
Fractional means working a fraction of full-time hours (typically 20-60% or 1-3 days per week) while maintaining the same level of seniority, expertise, and accountability as a full-time executive. A Fractional CTO is a senior Chief Technology Officer who works part-time with your company, providing strategic technical leadership without the cost and commitment of full-time employment.
The term "fractional" in business refers to accessing executive talent for a fraction of full-time hours. It's different from traditional part-time work because fractional executives maintain full strategic responsibility and leadership authority—they're not doing reduced-scope work, they're doing full CTO work in fewer days.
Works 1-3 days per week (20-60% of full-time) instead of 5 days. You're accessing a fraction of their available time.
Pay £85k-£160k annually vs £250k-£350k+ for full-time (salary + benefits + equity). You're paying a fraction of the full-time cost.
You get 100% of the expertise, experience, and strategic thinking—just delivered in fewer days. No compromise on quality or seniority.
Part-time employees typically work reduced hours in junior or mid-level roles (e.g., part-time developer). Fractional executives are senior leaders (CTO, CFO, CMO level) working strategically, not tactically. Fractional professionals also work with multiple clients and charge premium day rates, not salaries.
Consultants advise on specific problems from outside your organization. Fractional CTOs are embedded in your leadership team, attend meetings, make decisions, lead your engineers, and take full accountability for technology outcomes. They're insiders, not external advisors.
Contractors do project-based work (3-6 months) without long-term commitment. Fractional CTOs are ongoing strategic partners (6-18+ months) who become part of your executive team, with continuous involvement in company direction and technology evolution.
Interim CTOs work full-time (5 days/week) for short, fixed periods (3-12 months) to fill a gap. Fractional CTOs work part-time (1-3 days/week) for longer, flexible periods as an ongoing strategic resource. Interim is a temporary replacement; fractional is a long-term model.
The fractional model originated in finance with Fractional CFOs in the 1990s and has expanded to other C-suite roles as companies realize that many executive functions don't require 40 hours weekly. According to ONS employment data, fractional and flexible executive roles have grown significantly in the UK tech sector since 2020.
Fractional executives typically work with 2-4 companies simultaneously, each receiving 1-3 days per week. This model benefits everyone:
The CTO role is particularly well-suited to the fractional model because much of the work is strategic and episodic rather than operational and daily. Architecture decisions, technology strategy, security planning, and team leadership don't require constant presence—they require senior thinking at critical moments.
What a CTO Does in 1-3 Days/Week:
For companies with 5-20 engineers, these activities fill 1-3 days per week. Once systems are running well, the fractional CTO can scale down to 1 day per week for ongoing oversight. For implementation, you rely on your Tech Lead, engineers, and DevOps team.
Reality: Fractional CTOs are typically MORE experienced than most full-time candidates—usually 15-20+ years with prior CTO roles. They work fractionally by choice, often earning more than full-time roles.
Reality: Fractional CTOs take full ownership and accountability for technology outcomes. They're not "phoning it in"—they're focused, strategic, and fully engaged during their working days.
Reality: Fractional CTOs are embedded leaders who make decisions, lead teams, and are accountable for outcomes. Consultants advise; fractional executives execute and own results.
Reality: Many companies keep fractional CTOs for years, even at £10M-£20M revenue. The decision to go full-time depends on complexity and team size, not just revenue. Some companies never need full-time.
The fractional CTO model is ideal when:
Learn more about when to use the fractional model in our comprehensive guides: What is a Fractional CTO? and Fractional CTO for Startups.
Now that you understand what "fractional" means, explore our comprehensive resources.