Fractional CTO · UX Agencies
Fractional CTO
for UX Agencies
Technical leadership for agencies where design intent has to survive the development process.
UX agencies deliver research, design systems, and prototypes. But the value of that work depends entirely on what gets built — and whether it gets built well. The handoff from UX to engineering is where good work becomes average work. A fractional CTO bridges that gap, so design intent survives the development process.
Where I help most
The problems ux agencies hire a fractional CTO to solve.
Design-to-development translation
A UX agency's best work gets simplified, compromised, or misinterpreted in development. A fractional CTO defines the technical translation layer — component specifications, interaction states, performance budgets — so what ships reflects what was designed.
Prototype fidelity and feasibility
Interactive prototypes create expectations that engineering teams then have to walk back. A fractional CTO reviews prototypes for technical feasibility before client presentation — so the story you tell is one you can actually deliver.
Building or vetting a development practice
UX agencies that want to control full delivery need to build or partner with a development function. A fractional CTO defines the technical standards, evaluates build partners, and sets the quality bar — so the agency owns the outcome end-to-end.
Background
26 years building and leading digital at agency level.
I've spent my career at agencies where design and engineering worked in close integration — AKQA, Critical Mass — and I've seen both ends of what happens when that relationship works well and when it breaks down.
Full background →How I work with agencies
Fractional CTO Retainer
Ongoing technical leadership — strategy, architecture, team oversight — typically 2–4 days per week.
Fixed-Scope Project
Tech audits, architecture reviews, and specific deliverables with a defined timeline and fixed price.
AI Development Workshop
Two-day in-person workshop where your team builds AI agents for your development lifecycle.
Technical Due Diligence
Independent assessment of a codebase, team, or platform — for investors, acquirers, or founders.
Ready to talk?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll talk through your agency's technical situation and I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.