Fractional Product & UX Lead

What is a Fractional Product & UX Lead?

A Fractional Product & UX Lead provides senior product, UX and user research leadership on a flexible basis without the commitment of hiring a permanent executive. Rather than joining your organisation full-time, I work alongside your existing team to provide strategic direction, challenge assumptions, mentor individuals and help teams make better product decisions. It’s a practical way to access experienced leadership exactly when you need it.

When should I hire a Fractional Product & UX Lead?

A fractional leadership model is ideal when your organisation needs senior experience but isn’t ready to recruit a permanent Head of Product or Head of UX. Many organisations bring me in during periods of growth, digital transformation, product delivery or organisational change, where experienced leadership can help teams make better decisions without increasing permanent headcount.

How many days a month does a fractional leader usually work?

That depends on your organisation and the level of support you need. Some clients need one or two days each month for strategic guidance and mentoring, while others require more regular involvement during critical delivery phases. Every engagement is tailored around your team’s objectives, priorities and capacity.

Can you mentor designers, researchers and product managers?

Absolutely. Mentoring is one of the most valuable parts of a fractional leadership role. I regularly support designers, researchers and product managers by helping them strengthen decision making, improve ways of working and develop confidence in their own practice. The goal isn’t to become another layer of management. It’s to help your existing team grow.

Will you manage our existing team?

That depends on what your organisation needs. Some engagements focus on strategic leadership and mentoring, while others involve supporting delivery, facilitating stakeholder alignment or improving product and design practices. Every engagement is agreed around the level of involvement that’s most valuable to your team.

Can you support founders and leadership teams?

Yes. Many organisations don’t need another delivery resource. They need an experienced sounding board for important product decisions. I regularly work with founders, leadership teams and senior stakeholders to challenge assumptions, shape product direction and provide independent advice that helps organisations move forward with greater confidence.

How long do fractional engagements typically last?

Fractional engagements vary depending on the organisation’s needs. Some clients require support during a specific project or transformation programme, while others retain ongoing leadership support over several months. The engagement is always flexible and can adapt as your organisation grows or priorities change.

Can a fractional engagement become a permanent role?

It can, although many organisations choose the fractional model because it provides access to senior leadership without the long-term commitment of a permanent hire. If your needs change over time, I’m always happy to discuss the most appropriate way of working.

Why choose an independent consultant instead of an agency?

There are times when an agency is the right choice, particularly if you need a large multidisciplinary team working across multiple workstreams. If you’re looking for senior expertise, an independent consultant offers a different way of working. You’ll work directly with the person delivering the engagement from start to finish, without account managers, handovers or layers of communication. Decisions are made faster, the work stays consistent and you benefit from experienced advice that’s focused on solving your problem rather than managing a project. For many organisations, it’s a simpler, more flexible and more cost-effective way to access senior product, UX and user research expertise.

Where are you based?

I’m based in Manchester, UK and work with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally. Most engagements are delivered remotely, although I’m always happy to travel when a project benefits from working together in person.

Do you work remotely?

Yes. Most engagements are delivered remotely using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Zoom. Working this way keeps projects flexible, efficient and cost-effective while making it easy to support organisations wherever they’re based.

Can you travel to our office?

Yes. While most projects are delivered remotely, I’m happy to travel throughout the UK and internationally for workshops, stakeholder sessions, discovery activities and key project milestones where needed.

Can you work alongside our existing team?

Absolutely. Most organisations I work with already have product managers, designers, researchers, developers or delivery teams in place. My role is to strengthen your existing capability by providing additional expertise, independent thinking or senior support where it’s needed most.

Do you work with startups as well as larger organisations?

Yes. I’ve worked with startups, scale-ups, SMEs, agencies, charities, public sector organisations and global enterprises. Every engagement is tailored to your goals, regardless of the size of your organisation.

Do you sign NDAs and work with confidential information?

Yes. Much of my work involves commercially sensitive products, confidential research and government services. I’m happy to sign NDAs and regularly work with organisations where confidentiality is essential.

What if my project doesn’t fit one of your fixed-price services?

The fixed-price services are designed around the most common types of engagement, but every organisation is different. If you need something broader or a combination of services, I’ll put together a bespoke proposal based on your goals and the support you need.

How quickly can you start?

Availability changes throughout the year, but many engagements can begin within one to two weeks. If you have a specific deadline or urgent requirement, let me know and I’ll always do my best to accommodate it.

How much involvement will you need from our team?

That depends on the engagement, but I always aim to make the best use of your team’s time. Most projects start with a short kick-off session, followed by regular check-ins as findings and recommendations are shared. Before any work begins, you’ll know exactly what’s expected and when.

How do we get started?

It starts with a conversation. We’ll discuss what you’re trying to achieve, where you’re experiencing challenges and whether one of the fixed-price services is the right fit. If not, I’ll recommend a more suitable approach based on your goals.