Fractional CTO | Senior Technical Advisor

Fractional CTO | Senior Technical Advisor

Switching | Transaction Hubs | Regulated Platforms

UK | Fractional | Contract

We are recruiting a Fractional CTO or Senior Technical Advisor for a confidential, regulated switching organisation operating a central transaction hub processing millions of secure messages annually
.

This is a strategic advisory role
, not an operational CTO position.

The engagement suits a senior technologist with direct experience of switching platforms, hub-based architectures, interconnection models, and regulated transaction systems
, who can operate credibly at board and executive level
.

You will provide independent technology oversight across architecture, security, compliance, and vendor governance.

The role exists to ensure the organisation remains an intelligent customer when managing delivery partners, change requests, and long-term platform strategy.

Typical commitment is 1 day per week or equivalent per month
, with flexibility.

• Review and challenge central switching platform architecture
• Provide technical oversight of hub-based transaction systems
• Advise on interconnection models, message routing, and protocol design
• Assess vendor change requests, cost estimates, and associated technology risk
• Advise the board and ExCo on technology strategy, resilience, and compliance
• Provide governance input on security, data leakage prevention, and message integrity
• Support evaluation of peer-to-peer switching and alternative interconnection approaches
• Translate complex technical and regulatory issues into board-ready insight

• No day-to-day operations
• No incident management or on-call responsibility
• Former CTO, Chief Architect, Head of Architecture, or equivalent
• Hands-on leadership experience with switching, clearing, routing, or hub platforms
• Strong background in regulated environments with high availability and security requirements
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, message-based architectures, and integration patterns
• Experience working with external delivery partners and large vendor contracts
• Proven ability to engage confidently at board and executive level
• Utilities switching
• Telecoms switching
• Payments or financial transaction hubs
• Market infrastructure or clearing systems
• Other highly regulated network platforms
• Market-aligned day rates, typically £1,100 - £1,200 + per day depending on experience
• UK based, with limited travel as required

• Influence national-scale infrastructure without operational burden
• Clear advisory remit and authority
• Long-term strategic relevance as the platform evolves
• High-calibre stakeholders who value independent challenge

If your background includes keeping complex switching or hub platforms stable, compliant, and resilient
, and you are now focused on strategic advisory work
, this engagement will be of interest.

All applications and discussions will be handled in strict confidence.