Unlock your business’s potential with our fractional Chief Information Officer (CIO) services.  Dave partners with board directors, executive teams and managers to align technology with your strategic goals, overseeing the technology landscape, securing the environment, driving innovation, and maximising efficiency.


From strategic IT planning and vendor management to IT budgeting and digital transformation, Dave ensures your organisation has a clear, actionable technology roadmap to support growth and success - all while ensuring alignment with industry-leading security standards, frameworks and directives. 

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“As a fractional CIO, I integrate with your existing IT environment by collaborating with internal IT teams, guiding external contractors, supporting IT managers, partnering with MSPs, and aligning with other established IT relationships.  

As an independent voice, my goal is to enhance your organisation’s IT strategy, drive innovation, and ensure that every partnership works in harmony towards your business objectives."

What is a fractional CIO?

Serving as the strategic technology leader for an organisation, a fractional or virtual Chief Information Officer (CIO) is an outsourced, part-time, or on-demand role that provides strategic IT leadership to organisations without requiring a full-time CIO.  The role of a fractional CIO is to provide independent, expert guidance on technology strategy, IT management, and alignment of technology initiatives with business goals. Unlike a traditional CIO, a  fractional CIO does not work full-time onsite but rather offers services on a flexible, part-time, or contract basis. This can be particularly advantageous for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that require high-level IT strategies and management without the commitment of a full-time CIO.  A fractional CIO is often referred to as a vCIO.

Contact Dave to book a discovery call

Key  Cybersecurity Standards, Frameworks,
and Directives

GDPR (General Data Proection Regulation)

A regulation governing data protection and privacy in the EU, mandating stringent security controls to protect personal data.


CIS Controls

A prioritised set of cybersecurity best practices designed to mitigate the most common and significant cyber risks.


ISO-27001

An international standard for managing information security, providing a framework to protect data and ensure compliance with best practices.


NIS 2 Directive  

A European directive enhancing cybersecurity requirements for critical and essential service providers, mandating risk management, incident reporting, and resilience measures.


Cyber Essentials

A UK government-backed certification scheme providing basic cybersecurity controls to protect organisations against common cyberattacks.


DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) 

An EU directive ensuring the financial sector’s operational resilience against ICT-related disruptions and cyber threats.


ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)

A framework for IT service management, including guidance for managing cybersecurity and risk in IT operations.


NIST Cybersecurity Framework 

A risk-based framework from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology to identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.

Fractional / Virtual CIO services

Key Responsibilities


Develop and Execute IT Strategy and Roadmap

Aligned to business goals.


IT Governance and Compliance

Frameworks, Standards and Audits.


Cybersecurity Oversight

Ensuring appropriate security measures, controls, and technologies are in place.


Stakeholder Management and Communication

Representation on and presentation to the executive team, board of directors, and other stakeholders.


Vendor Management and Contract Negotiation

Relationship and partnership management.


IT Budgeting and Financial Management

Cost optimisation, Forecasting Strategic Investments. 


Digital Transformation and Innovation

Leveraging emerging technologies to improve business processes and customer experience.


IT Infrastructure Management

Ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of the organisation’s IT systems and services.


Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Monitor IT performance against established KPIs and benchmarks.


Skills and Competencies 

 

Strategic Thinking

Align IT strategies with business goals and objectives.  Long-term planning and identifying future technology trends and opportunities.


Leadership and Management

Manage IT teams and driving change.  Foster collaboration across departments and stakeholders.

  

Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, software, hardware, networking, cloud and cybersecurity.


Change Management

Proficiency in managing change, especially in digital transformation projects.  Ability to manage change and lead teams through transitions.


Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Effective interaction with executives, board members, and non-technical staff.  Present complex technical concepts in plain language.


Financial Acumen

Proficiency in budgeting, cost management, ROI analysis, and strategic investments.


Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

Strong analytical skills and ability to navigate complex IT challenges and find innovative solutions.


Vendor Management

Expertise in managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing vendor performance.


Value
Provided

 

An independent voice

Unincumbered or afflliated with any third parties.  Free to champion your interests and priorities


Cost Efficiency

A cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time CIO reducing overhead costs associated with a full-time executive role while delivering high-level expertise.


Strategic IT Leadership

Offering strategic guidance and leadership in technology planning and execution ensuring that IT investments are aligned with business objectives and deliver value.


Access to Expertise

Provides access to a seasoned professional with extensive experience across various industries and technologies.  Brings best practices and knowledge from working with hundreds of clients and multiple industries.


Scalability and Flexibility

Offers scalable services that can be adjusted based on the organisation’s needs, such as part-time, on-demand, or project-based support.


Improved IT Governance and Compliance

Enhances IT governance by establishing robust policies, procedures, and frameworks ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations, and legal requirements.


Focus on Core Competencies

Allows the organisation’s internal teams to focus on core business functions while the fractional CIO manages the strategic direction of IT.

About Dave

As a Chartered IT Professional with almost 20 years of experience operating a successful IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) company, Dave has a proven track record of delivering exceptional IT solutions that drive business success. After founding and building his own MSP organisation from the ground up, Dave led it to become a thriving enterprise serving hundreds of clients across a wide range of industries.  His strategic thinking, hands-on experience, and deep understanding of the technology landscape allowed him to navigate complex challenges, streamline operations, and foster innovation.


Following the successful exit and sale of his MSP business, Dave now brings his wealth of experience to help organisations bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.  His passion lies in empowering businesses to harness the full potential of their technology investments, ensuring they align with strategic goals and drive long-term growth.

“I believe in straight-talking, honest and impartial advice.  I bring a hands-on approach to every engagement, treating your business with the same care and dedication as my own."

Contact Dave to see how he can help

Examples of what Dave can help with

Board Representation and Reporting

Serve as a technology advisor on the board of directors, providing insights on IT strategy and risk management. Deliver clear, concise reports to the board to support informed decision-making.


IT Governance and Strategy Alignment

Align IT governance with overall business strategy.

Establish frameworks to ensure IT investments deliver value.


IT Health Checks and Risk Assessments

Conduct comprehensive IT assessments.

Identify risks, vulnerabilities, and gaps in infrastructure and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.


 Creation and Review of IT Policies

Develop tailored IT policies

Regularly review and update policies for compliance.


Information Security Management System (ISMS) Development

Design and implement a robust ISMS framework (e.g., ISO 27001).

Regularly review and audit ISMS for effectiveness.


IT Audits and Compliance Checks

Perform regular IT audits to ensure compliance.

Identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations.


Infrastructure Reviews and Optimisation

Assess existing IT infrastructure for efficiency.

Identify opportunities for cost reduction and performance improvement.


Development of IT Roadmaps

Create strategic IT roadmaps aligned with business goals.

Outline actionable steps for future technology adoption.

Cybersecurity Strategy and Incident Response Planning

Develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Establish and test incident response plans.


Vendor Management and Negotiations

Manage vendor relationships and service quality.

Negotiate contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs).


Technology Change Management

Support planning and implementation of technology changes.

Ensure smooth adoption and minimal disruption to operations.


Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Set up key performance indicators (KPIs) for IT performance.

Provide regular reports and insights to stakeholders.


Advisory on Emerging Technologies

Provide insights on the latest technology trends.

Evaluate and recommend new technologies aligned with business needs.


Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning

Develop and test business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Ensure plans are regularly updated and tested.

    

Technical Due Diligence 

Assisting purchasing entities evaluate potential acquisitions.

Thorough review of security risks and evaluation of current security practices.


IT Expert Witness in Legal Cases 

Expert testimony and technical analysis in legal proceedings.