How long are engagements

6-18 months for transformation.

What to expect in 90 days

IT assessment strategy and modernization roadmap.

How long are engagements

6-18 months for transformation.

What to expect in 90 days

IT assessment strategy and modernization roadmap.

Hiring Guide

Hire a Fractional CIO

Complete guide to hiring fractional IT leadership

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

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Key Takeaways

1Fractional CFOs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, 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

Latest Fractional Jobs

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Work Type

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When to Hire

Quick Definition

Hire a fractional CIO when needing IT leadership without full-time overhead. Ideal for SMEs modernizing technology undertaking digital transformation or needing strategic IT guidance.

What to Look For

Look for candidates with IT leadership at similar organizations. Key qualities include technology strategy experience infrastructure modernization track record vendor management skills and security awareness.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	Assess	Red Flags
Strategy	IT to business alignment	Tech for tech sake
Modernization	Led transformations	Maintenance only
Vendors	Managed relationships	No procurement experience
Security	Cyber awareness	Security blind spot

Interview Questions

Key questions: What IT transformations have you led? How do you align IT with business goals? How do you manage vendor relationships? What is your approach to cybersecurity?

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Cost Comparison

Fractional vs Full-Time Executive

Full-Time Executive£286k/year

Salary + Benefits + Overhead

Fractional Executive£106k/year

1-2 days/week average

Your Potential Savings

£180k+

63%

saved

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Time Allocation

How fractional executives spend their time

Strategy30%

Operations25%

Leadership20%

Governance15%

Technology10%

Hire a Fractional CIO (Chief Information Officer)

A fractional Chief Information Officer provides senior IT leadership to guide technology strategy, vendor management, and digital transformation without the £200-350k cost of a permanent CIO.

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Why Hire a Fractional CIO?

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IT strategy: Experienced leaders who align technology with business objectives

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Vendor management: Optimise IT supplier portfolio and reduce costs

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Digital transformation: Lead cloud migration and system modernisation

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Security governance: Ensure robust information security and compliance

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What a Fractional CIO Delivers

Deliverable	Timeline
IT assessment and strategy development	Weeks 1-4
Vendor review and cost optimisation	Weeks 4-8
Technology roadmap and architecture	Weeks 8-12
Ongoing IT governance and programme oversight	Ongoing

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Typical Engagement Models

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Strategic: 1-2 days/week for IT governance and direction

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Transformation: 3-4 days/week for major IT programmes

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Advisory: Half day/week for IT leadership and vendor management

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→

CIO Salary Guide

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Fractional CTO Jobs UK

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CDO Salary Guide

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UK Fractional Jobs

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Fractional Recruitment Agency

UK Fractional Executive Day Rates

Compare day rates across C-suite roles

CFOThis Role£800 - £1500/day

£1100

CTO£900 - £1600/day

£1200

CMO£750 - £1400/day

£1000

COO£800 - £1400/day

£1050

CDO£900 - £1450/day

£1150

CISO£900 - £1550/day

£1200

Rate Range

Average

Source: UK Market Data 2025

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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

Fractional CFO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

Your Day Rate

£1,000

£750Avg: £1000£1500

Days Per Client/Week

2.5 days

1 day5 days

Number of Clients

2 clients

Weekly

£5,000

Monthly

£21,650

Annual

£240,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CFO UK average day rate: £1000.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

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