Senior People leadership, on a Fractional basis.
As your business scales from 10 to 100 employees, the complexity of your People Operations increases exponentially.
I provide the high-level strategic oversight and "steady hand" expertise of an experienced CPO, embedded in your leadership team on a fractional basis.
I don't just provide a roadmap and leave the implementation to your overstretched team. I operate as a full-stack People leader. I provide the high-level strategic oversight your Board expects, while simultaneously rolling up my sleeves to handle the tactical execution your business needs right now.
Why Fractional?
Hiring a full-time CPO in the UK tech space often costs more than £160k, even before you factor in the cost of employment.
Most scale-ups don't need that level of presence 5 days a week, but they need the brainpower and the impact.
My retained packages give you a senior HR leader embedded in your business at a commitment level suited to your stage of growth. I handle the high-level strategy and the complex issues, so you can focus on building and refining your company.
I partner with you on organisational design, M&A readiness, culture strategy, and protecting your valuation during funding rounds. I am hands-on with complex ER casework, contract professionalisation, manager coaching, and building the actual HR infrastructure that keeps you legal and scalable.
Choosing between a permanent hire and a Fractional CPO isn't just a budget decision, it is a value decision. While a full-time executive is a massive commitment in both capital and equity, the Act HR Fractional CPO model provides the same senior-level expertise with none of the long term commitment.
Investment Comparison
| Feature | Full-Time Chief People Officer | Act HR Fractional CPO |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Basic Salary | £160,000 – £190,000 | Fixed Monthly Retainer |
| On-Costs (NI & Pension) | £25,000+ per year | £0 (Zero On-Costs) |
| Performance Bonus | 10% – 20% of base salary | No bonus payable |
| Equity Dilution | 0.5% – 1.0% (standard) | Zero Equity Diluted |
| Onboarding Time | 3–6 months to full impact | Targetted impact from Day One |
| Commitment | Permanent, 3-6 month notice period | 6 month engagement, 1 month notice |
| Annual Total Cost | £220,000+ | Significant Savings |
The Fractional Packages
-
Essential
The Founder Advisor
Price: £1,700 - £2,000 + VAT / mo
Average 2 days per month, flexible and needs-based.
Includes: Fully remote support, 30-minute monthly review, and a balance of time for ad-hoc queries or dedicated half-days.
Best for: Founders who handle HR themselves have a junior coordinator but need C-level cover.
-
Growth
The Scale-Up Partner
Pricing: £3,500 - £4,200 + VAT / mo
Around 4 days per month (average 1 day per week).
Includes: Impactful HR leadership, onsite presence on request, ongoing support for day-to-day issues, and a 60-minute monthly review.
Best for: More established companies without a dedicated CPO, or those at Series A or B who need to professionalise their people operations to attract top talent and satisfy investors.
-
Strategic
The Embedded Executive
Price: £7,000 - £8,500 + VAT / mo
Around 8 days per month (average 2 days per week).
Includes: Full HR Gap Analysis included, strategic project support, bespoke manager coaching, and weekly actions summary.
Best for: Fast-growth firms or those undergoing major change (M&A, international expansion, or culture turnaround).
How we work together
6-month minimum
Culture doesn't change overnight. We commit to a 6-month initial partnership.
Rollover Days: If we don't use all your days in a month, you can roll over up to 2 days to the next month.
Quarterly Reviews
We assess your tier every three months to make sure you're getting the right level of support.
30-Day Notice: Flexibility matters. You can change tiers or cancel with 30 days' notice.
Need more time?
I understand that your needs can change rapidly. Whether you are navigating an unexpected funding round or a major hiring surge, your retainer provides the flexibility to scale up my involvement.
Retainer clients receive priority scheduling and preferential rates for any strategic support required beyond their monthly allocation:
Essential clients: £1,000 + VAT per day
Growth clients: £950 + VAT per day (5% preferred rate)
Strategic clients: £900 + VAT per day (10% preferred rate)
Note: Additional support is invoiced monthly in arrears for total transparency and ease of budgeting.