Services
Fractional CTO for startups and growing businesses
A fractional CTO is an experienced technology leader who works with you part-time. You get the judgement of a CTO (what to build, who to hire, what it should cost, when to say “not yet”) for a fraction of the price of a full-time hire. I’m Chris, and I do it in plain English.
What a fractional CTO actually does for you
Technology strategy and roadmap
A clear plan tied to your business goals, not to whatever’s fashionable. Written down, prioritised and understandable by everyone in the room.
Build, buy… or don’t
Honest advice on whether to build custom software, use something off the shelf or do nothing at all. The cheapest line of code is often the one you never write.
Hiring and managing developers
Writing briefs, reviewing quotes, running technical interviews and keeping suppliers accountable. I translate between you and the technical team.
Quality, security and risk
Making sure what’s being built is secure, maintainable and won’t need rebuilding in 18 months. That includes backups, access control and GDPR basics.
Budgets and running costs
Keeping hosting, software subscriptions and development spend under control, and making sure you know what each pound is buying.
Investor and due-diligence readiness
Plain-English documentation of your technology so you can answer investor and acquirer questions with confidence.
How we’d start
A no-obligation chat
We talk through where the business is, what’s worrying you and what “good” looks like. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll say so and point you in a better direction.
A quick health check
In the first couple of weeks I get to know your goals, team, suppliers, costs and systems, then give you a straight, jargon-free read on where you stand.
Roadmap and a regular rhythm
You get a prioritised plan and we settle into a simple cadence: regular check-ins, decisions documented, and me on hand when something comes up.
Ways of working together
Every business is different, so I keep this flexible. I’ll recommend the simplest option that gets you what you need.
Advisory
A few hours a month: a regular check-in, a sounding board and a second opinion on the big decisions.
Best when: You already have a capable team and want senior oversight.
Fractional CTO
A regular weekly rhythm. I lead technology strategy, manage the team or suppliers and report to you in plain English.
Best when: You need real technical leadership but not a full-time hire.
Hands-on / interim
I get stuck in for a defined period: architecture, code and delivery, such as building your MVP or turning around a struggling project.
Best when: You need something delivered, not just advice.
FAQ
Fractional CTO: your questions answered.
What is a fractional CTO?
A fractional CTO is an experienced Chief Technology Officer who works for your business part-time. You get senior technology leadership (strategy, architecture, hiring, supplier management, budgets and risk) without paying for a full-time executive. It suits startups and SMEs that need senior judgement but not five days a week of it.
How much does a fractional CTO cost in the UK?
It depends on how much time you need: anything from a few hours a month of advisory to a regular day or two a week. Because you’re paying for time rather than a salary, pension, equity and recruitment fees, it’s typically a fraction of the cost of a full-time CTO, which in the UK is often well into six figures before equity. After a short conversation I’ll give you a clear figure up front.
When should a startup hire a fractional CTO instead of a full-time CTO?
Usually before you have the budget, the product maturity or the volume of technical work to keep a full-time CTO busy and happy. Many startups use a fractional CTO from idea to early traction, then either keep that arrangement or use it to hire and onboard a permanent CTO properly.
What’s the difference between a fractional CTO and a software agency?
An agency sells you delivery: they build what’s in the brief. A fractional CTO works for you: they help decide what the brief should be, whether the quote is fair, and whether what was delivered is any good. The two work well together, and I’m happy to oversee your agency or build alongside them.
Will you write code as well as give advice?
Yes, if it’s useful. I’ve been building web applications for over 25 years, so I can prototype, review code or deliver parts of the build myself. That’s a big advantage over advisors who’ve never shipped software, and I’ll always be clear about when I’m advising and when I’m building.
Who owns the code and intellectual property?
You do. Everything built for your business belongs to your business, and I’m happy to sign an NDA before we talk specifics.
Can you work with our existing developers or agency?
Absolutely. Most of my fractional CTO work involves existing people. The aim is to make your current team or supplier more effective, not to replace them.
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Tell me about your project.
No sales script and no pressure. Share a few details and I’ll reply personally, tell you honestly whether I can help and, if I can’t, point you to someone who can.
- hello@chris-mackie.co.uk
- +44 7593 182227
- London, UK