Hire a
Fractional CEO
Complete guide to finding, vetting, and hiring the perfect fractional Chief Executive Officer.
Where to Find Fractional CEOs
PE/VC Networks
Portfolio company operating partners and executive talent pools.
Executive Search
Search firms with fractional/interim practices (Odgers, Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart).
Fractional Platforms
Platforms like Fractional.Quest, Bolster, Chief, or Interim Hub.
Board Networks
Ask existing board members, investors, or NEDs for referrals.
YPO/Vistage Alumni
CEO peer groups with members seeking fractional opportunities.
Industry Events
SaaStr, Web Summit, or sector-specific CEO gatherings.
What to Look For
1. Exit & Scale Experience
Have they successfully scaled and/or exited a company? Look for IPO, trade sale, or significant growth milestones at your target stage.
Exits over £50M, scaled from £5M to £50M+ ARR, clear metrics
No exits or only failed companies
2. Board & Investor Management
Can they manage board relationships and investor expectations? This is critical for fractional CEOs working with founders.
Board seat experience, fundraising track record, investor relations
Never reported to a board or managed investors
3. Founder Collaboration
Can they work alongside a founder without ego conflicts? Fractional CEOs often support founders, not replace them.
Experience as COO or #2, clear partnership approach, coaching mindset
Only been CEO, dismissive of founder involvement
4. Operational Depth
Do they understand operations beyond strategy? Can they build teams, manage P&L, and make hard decisions?
P&L ownership, team building, operational KPIs, hard decisions made
Only strategic/advisory, no operational delivery
5. Turnaround Experience
Have they led companies through difficult transitions, pivots, or turnarounds?
Restructuring experience, cost reduction, strategic pivots
Only worked in high-growth scenarios
6. Fractional Model Fit
Do they understand fractional working? Managing time, being effective in 2 days/week, clear priorities.
2-4 current clients, clear systems, portfolio approach
First fractional role, wants full-time really
The Hiring Process
Brief
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
Match
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Meet
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Start
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.
Brief
Tell us about your needs, company stage, and what you're looking for in a fractional executive.
Match
We curate a shortlist of pre-vetted fractional executives who match your specific requirements.
Meet
Interview your top candidates. We handle scheduling and provide interview frameworks.
Start
Your fractional executive begins within days. We support onboarding and ongoing success.