Need a CTO but not the salary?
Strategic IT leadership without the six-figure commitment. A senior tech director who challenges your assumptions, owns the delivery, and makes themselves redundant when you're ready for a full-time hire.
Let's talk strategySenior IT leadership. Your terms.
IT strategy that makes sense
A clear technology roadmap aligned with your business goals. No buzzwords, no fluff. Just a plan you can actually follow and a budget you can actually manage.
Vendor management
We deal with your suppliers so you don't have to. We know who's overcharging, who's underdelivering, and we're not afraid to tell them.
Honest advice
We'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. If your tech stack is fine, we'll say so. If it's costing you money, we'll fix it.
You need a CTO, not a consultant
A fractional CTO is for businesses that need strategic IT leadership but aren't ready for a full-time hire.
Growing fast, tech falling behind
Your business is scaling but your IT is still held together with duct tape and good intentions. You need someone to get ahead of it.
Making big technology decisions
Cloud migration, new platforms, security overhauls. You want someone experienced in your corner before you commit budget.
Managing IT vendors is a headache
You've got multiple suppliers, nobody's accountable, and you're not sure if you're getting value for money. We sort that out.
Board needs someone technical
Investors or the board want IT representation but you can't justify a full-time CTO. A fractional role fills the gap perfectly.
You run an MSP and need senior strategic input
Many MSP owners are technically brilliant operators but don't have a peer-level senior to sound things off. We work with several MSPs as their fractional CTO, providing strategic guidance, vendor relationships, and an outside perspective on commercial decisions.
Who we're not for
Honest filter: fractional CTO work isn't right for every business. We work better with some buyers than others.
You want hourly advice
If you're looking for someone to bill by the hour for ad-hoc questions, that's not us. Fractional CTO work is retained, structured, and outcome-focused. Try a consultant marketplace if hourly is what you need.
You want a yes-man
We tell you what we think, even when it's not what you want to hear. If your tech stack is fine, we'll say so. If your favourite vendor is overcharging you, we'll tell you. If your roadmap is unrealistic, we'll push back. If you want validation rather than challenge, we're not the right fit.
You're not ready to act on advice
Fractional CTO advice only works if you're ready to make decisions and follow through. If your business culture means strategic recommendations get parked indefinitely, you'll waste your money and our time. We need a counterpart who can actually drive change.
CTO-level thinking. Without the overhead.
Technology strategy & roadmap
A clear, prioritised plan for your IT that aligns with your business goals and budget.
Vendor & contract management
We negotiate, review, and manage your IT suppliers. No more overpaying or underdelivering.
Budget planning & cost control
IT spending that makes sense. We'll find where you're wasting money and where investment will pay off.
Board & leadership reporting
Clear, jargon-free updates for your board or investors. We translate tech into business language.
Project oversight & delivery
IT projects that actually get delivered on time and on budget. We've seen every way they can go wrong.
Security & compliance guidance
Make sure your business meets its obligations without over-engineering or overspending.
Senior tech leadership, properly seasoned
Before HelpFully, I spent 11 years as IT Manager across a multi-agency PLC, supporting marketing, research, comms, and creative agencies through growth, acquisitions, and exits, including a research-analytics platform sold to a listed buyer in 2019. I've seen what scale looks like, what breaks at each stage, and what senior IT leadership actually needs to deliver to a board. That's the perspective I bring to your business.
How engagements typically work
Most fractional CTO engagements are 2-4 days a month, retained on a rolling 6-month minimum. Day rate, monthly retainer, and project-based options are all available depending on your situation. We sign NDAs, attend board meetings, and deliver structured outputs (technology roadmaps, vendor reviews, board reports) rather than just hourly advice. If you're looking for a one-off consulting project rather than ongoing leadership, we can do that too, but most clients value the continuity of an ongoing relationship.
Leadership without the red tape
We understand your business
We sit down, learn how your business works, what your goals are, and where technology is helping or hindering. No jargon, just conversation.
We build your roadmap
A practical IT strategy with clear priorities, realistic timelines, and a budget that makes sense. Not a 100-page document. A plan you'll actually use.
We make it happen
Ongoing leadership, vendor management, and strategic decisions. We're in your corner for board meetings, budget reviews, and everything in between.
Frequently asked questions
How many days a month do you typically commit?
Most engagements are 2-4 days a month, varying with intensity. Some clients need weekly board-prep cadence, others need monthly strategic reviews. We agree the rhythm at the start and adjust as your needs change.
What's the minimum engagement length?
Six months. Fractional CTO work compounds. Month one is usually mostly listening and learning your business. Real value typically lands from month three onwards. Anything shorter and we're both wasting our time.
Do you sign NDAs and attend board meetings?
Yes to both. We work with regulated industries, advisory firms, and venture-backed businesses. NDAs are standard. Board meeting attendance is included in most engagements where it adds value.
How is this different from hiring a CTO consultancy?
Big consultancies put junior people on your account and bill at senior rates. We are the senior person. You work directly with the same person every engagement, who actually owns and delivers the work. No account managers, no junior deliverers, no PowerPoint theatre.
What happens when we hire a full-time CTO?
Our job is to make ourselves redundant. When you're ready for a full-time CTO, we help write the spec, sit in on interviews, and hand over cleanly. We've done this multiple times. The transition is part of the service.
Ready for proper IT leadership?
Let's have a conversation about where your technology could take your business.