Embedded AI leadership on a flexible basis. We set your model strategy, evaluation frameworks, operating standards, and cost structure — then hold accountability for delivery alongside your team.
You know AI matters to your business but don’t have the in-house expertise to make the right architectural, commercial, and governance decisions. Hiring a full-time Head of AI can cost £250–400k+ and takes 6–12 months. An AI consultant gives you a strategy document and leaves. You need someone who is accountable for outcomes, embedded in your team, but doesn’t require a permanent headcount.
CTOs being asked to "own AI" alongside everything else — leading to diluted focus and skills gaps
Previous bad experiences with AI consultants who delivered strategy documents nobody used, and fumbled no-code demos
Boards and investors asking about AI strategy and getting vague answers
Engineering teams experimenting with AI tools without governance, evaluation, cost controls, or direction
Where AI creates material value in your business, what to build vs buy, realistic timelines.
Which models for which tasks, cost projections, vendor evaluation.
How to measure whether your AI systems actually work.
Prompt management, testing, deployment processes, incident response.
LLM spend tracking, optimisation, budget forecasting.
Upskilling your engineering team on AI-native development practices, by people who actively build this with hands-on knowledge.
Clear, honest communication about AI capability, risk, and ROI.
Ensuring your AI deployment is defensible under regulatory regimes like the EU AI Act and sector-specific regulation.
Typical engagement: 2–5 days per month, embedded in your leadership team.
Audit current AI usage, architecture, costs, and team capability.
Define where AI creates value, target architecture, phased plan.
Attend leadership meetings, set standards, review architecture decisions, govern spend, unblock your team.
| Fractional Head of AI | Full-Time Head of AI | AI Consultant | Interim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | £48k–£120k | £250k–£400k+ | £30k–£120k (project) | £150k–£250k |
| Time to start | Immediate | 6–12 months | Immediate | 2–4 weeks |
| Accountability | Yes — embedded, ongoing | Yes | No — advisory only | Yes, but temporary |
| Strategic depth | Full strategy + execution | Full | Narrow scope | Full, short-term |
| Regulatory expertise | Law-qualified team | Rare | Rare | Very rare |
| Flexibility | Monthly, scales up/down | Fixed cost | Project-scoped | Fixed term |
Growth-stage companies (Series A–C) where AI is becoming core to the product but there is no dedicated AI leadership
Businesses with engineering teams experimenting with AI who need someone to set direction and standards
Companies preparing for investment, acquisition, or regulatory review who need their AI posture to be defensible
Organisations where the CTO is stretched too thin to give AI the strategic attention it needs
Let’s discuss how fractional AI leadership can accelerate your AI strategy while keeping costs and commitment flexible.