Question 1

What are fractional executive services?

Accepted Answer

Part time C-level leadership on an ongoing retainer: the executive holds a real role in the organisation for one to three days a week rather than working project by project.

Question 2

How much do fractional executive services cost?

Accepted Answer

In Europe in 2026, roughly 6,000 to 20,000 euro per month depending on days per week and seniority. That is typically 40 to 60 percent of the fully loaded cost of the equivalent permanent hire.

Question 3

How is fractional different from interim?

Accepted Answer

Interim is full time for a fixed period to close a gap or a crisis. Fractional is part time and ongoing because the company does not yet need, or cannot yet fund, a full time executive at that level.

Question 4

How is fractional different from consulting?

Accepted Answer

A fractional executive is in the organisation chart, manages people, owns a budget, and is accountable for results. A consultant advises from outside and leaves the accountability with the client.

Question 5

How long do fractional engagements last?

Accepted Answer

Typically nine to twenty-four months. Good engagements often end because the executive has built the case and the team for a permanent hire and helped recruit them.

Question 6

How many clients does a fractional executive serve?

Accepted Answer

Usually two to four. More than four and the attention each company receives is not enough to hold real line responsibility, which is the point of the model.