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UK fractional CTO pricing
Fractional CTO cost and day rates
What a fractional CTO costs in the UK — the day rates, the monthly retainers, and what drives the number.
All prices exclude VAT. Final scope and fees are agreed before work begins.
How much does a fractional CTO cost?
Fractional leadership is £1,100 per day ex VAT, with no standard minimum commitment. Longer commitments can attract discounts agreed individually: 5% for six months (£1,045 per day) and 10% for more than six months (£990 per day). We agree the scope, number of days, engagement period and final fee before work begins. Any notice period forms part of that agreement.
Day rate vs monthly retainer
Interim (full-time cover for a fixed period) is billed as a day rate. Ongoing fractional leadership is a monthly retainer set by the days you book. Both avoid the cost and commitment of a permanent hire.
Time and cost
£1,100 per day, ex VAT. Choose the amount of support you need.
Ongoing support: commitment and discounts
| Engagement | Discount | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 0% | £1,100 |
| 6 months | 5% | £1,045 |
| More than 6 months | 10% | £990 |
No standard minimum commitment. We agree the scope, number of days and engagement period with you before work begins. Any notice period forms part of that agreement. Longer commitments can attract the discounts shown above, agreed individually. Your fee is based on the agreed days and day rate.
Ad hoc advice or interim leadership
£1,100 per day, ex VAT. The total depends on the number of days agreed.
Our indicative day rate is £1,100 ex VAT. Indicative — confirmed by scope.
What drives the cost
- The complexity of the work and the time required.
- The days per month you need.
- Intensity — full-time interim cover costs more than a few days of oversight.
Fractional CTO vs a full-time hire
A permanent CTO is a six-month search, a six-figure salary, pension, bonus and recruitment fees. A fractional CTO gives you the same seniority from day one, scaled to what you actually need. No standard minimum commitment. We agree the scope, number of days and engagement period with you before work begins. Any notice period forms part of that agreement. See also fractional CTO vs CIO vs IT Director.
Common questions
How much does a CTO cost?
A full-time CTO in the UK often exceeds £150k–£200k once salary, pension, bonus and recruitment are counted. A fractional CTO starts from £1,100/month — you pay only for the days you use.
Is there a minimum commitment?
No standard minimum commitment. We agree the scope, number of days and engagement period with you before work begins. Any notice period forms part of that agreement.
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Tell us your size and the days you need. No cost for the first call.