Who it's for
Founders, MDs, agency owners, growth businesses and leadership teams that need experienced marketing leadership now.
Fractional Leadership
Senior marketing leadership. Just not necessarily five days a week.
Sometimes the business needs a CMO, Marketing Director or senior agency leader — but another full-time permanent hire isn't necessarily the right answer.
I help you work out what senior capability you actually need, then find the person who can deliver it.
What it solves
There's a senior leadership gap, the team needs direction or the business is changing faster than the permanent structure can keep up.
When it makes sense
You need senior capability and accountability, but a five-day-a-week permanent appointment isn't necessarily the answer.
Fractional Leadership
What is Fractional Leadership?
A Fractional leader is an experienced senior operator who joins the business for an agreed amount of time to help lead against a defined commercial problem.
They might work one, two or three days a week. The important bit isn't the number of days. It's what they're there to change.
Unlike traditional advisory consultancy, the right Fractional leader gets properly into the business, works with the team and remains involved when the plan meets reality.
Fractional Leadership Search
Work out what leadership you actually need. Then find the person.
Because “we need someone fractional” isn't really a brief.
Define the leadership need
Problem · Model · Mandate
What needs fixing, building, changing or leading?
What level of seniority does the business actually need?
What should they own, for how long and with what authority?
Find the right person
Search · Assess · Engage · Embed
Find somebody who's genuinely solved something comparable.
Assess whether they can create impact quickly.
Agree the engagement and get them properly into the business.
What happens underneath those two stages?
Define the problem
What actually needs changing?
Define the model
Fractional, interim, advisory or permanent?
Define the mandate
Outcomes, authority, access, time commitment and duration.
Search the market
Find leaders who've genuinely solved comparable problems.
Assess for impact
Can they get useful quickly and bring the team with them?
Agree the engagement
Scope, availability, expectations, commercials and start date.
Onboard & review
Get them properly into the business and keep the original outcomes visible.
Fractional, interim, advisory & consultancy
Don't get too hung up on the label. Get clear on the problem.
Fractional generally means senior leadership for part of the working week over an ongoing period.
Interim usually means somebody stepping into a role for a defined temporary period.
Advisory is typically lighter-touch guidance. Consultancy is often project or recommendation-led.
In reality, the lines can blur.
I'd rather understand what you actually need somebody to do and then work out the right model than force the problem into whichever label happens to be fashionable.
Public recommendations
What people say about working with David.
Short excerpts from public LinkedIn recommendations, used here because they speak to the work behind the brief.
Read LinkedIn recommendationsHonest adviceMark VarleyCommercial & agency leader · June 2026 “He has a refreshingly honest approach and believes in doing things the right way.”
Public LinkedIn recommendation
Delivered against the briefBradley ToothFounder at You Know Who · June 2023 “Honest, reliable and personable.”
Public LinkedIn recommendation
Common mistakes
What usually gets in the way.
Hiring a tactical freelancer when the problem is leadership
Bringing somebody senior in without giving them enough access to make a difference
Leaving the outcome vague
Assuming Fractional Leadership is automatically cheaper rather than asking whether it's the right model
Related services
Other routes that may fit the brief.
Retained Search
Retained SearchMarket Intelligence & Advisory
Market Intelligence & AdvisoryRelated insight
Useful reading before you hire.
What is a Fractional Marketing Leader?
What is a Fractional Marketing Leader?Do You Actually Need a Full-Time Marketing Director?
Do You Actually Need a Full-Time Marketing Director?Manchester & North West Marketing Salary Guide 2026
Manchester & North West Marketing Salary Guide 2026How Much Does Senior Marketing Recruitment Cost?
How Much Does Senior Marketing Recruitment Cost?Marketing Recruitment in Manchester & the North West: A Straight-Talking Guide
Marketing Recruitment in Manchester & the North West: A Straight-Talking GuideFAQs
Clear answers before a conversation.
What is a Fractional marketing leader?
A Fractional marketing leader is an experienced senior marketer who works with a business for a defined number of days or period to provide leadership, direction and practical support.
Is Fractional the same as interim marketing leadership?
Sometimes. Fractional often means part-time senior leadership. Interim usually means a defined temporary period. In reality, the right model depends on the business problem.
How is Fractional different from consultancy?
Consultancy is often advisory. A good Fractional leader gets closer to the business, helps lead the work and stays involved when decisions meet reality.
Which roles can be filled on an interim or fractional basis?
Common roles include Interim CMO, Interim Marketing Director, Interim Head of Marketing, Interim Growth Director, Interim Digital Director and senior agency leadership.
How many days a week does a Fractional leader usually work?
It depends on the problem. Some businesses need one day a week, others need two or three. The right answer comes from the outcome, not the title.
Next step
Need senior marketing leadership without rushing into another permanent hire?
Tell me what's going on. I'll give you a straight view on whether Fractional actually makes sense.