SaaS · HealthTech · LegalTech · e-commerce
Hire a
Fractional CPO
for
tech start-ups
You've got traction, but product decisions are getting harder - priorities compete, the roadmap keeps moving and too much still sits with the founder or leadership team. I step in as your fractional CPO to set direction, make the hard calls and get the team focused on delivery, without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.
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years leading in Product
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years in Tech
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recent client revenue growth
Services
Not just services - deliver growth, clarity, and real impact.
Testimonials
Real experiences. Hear directly from clients.
Workflow
No guesswork, just a clear path from problems → results.
About
Senior product leadership. Embedded in your team. Flexible to your needs.
I'm a UK based fractional CPO and Product lead, working with early-stage tech companies that need senior product leadership without a full-time hire. I work alongside founders and teams to turn unclear ideas into focused strategy, aligned delivery and measurable results.
My work history
Ryan Tayburn
Independent Product Leader / Fractional CPO
2023–Now
Achnos
Principal Product Manager
2020–2023
Freelance
UX/UI Designer
2020
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Pricing
*Prices listed are exclusive of VAT that may be applicable. Book a call for more information.
Day rate (retainer)
Best for those who need ongoing senior product leadership. Minimum 2 days per week needed.
/8 hours
What's Included
Scheduled hours are flexible based upon your timeline, goals, and budget.
Hourly rate
Best for workshops, mentoring, audits and strategy sessions.
What's Included
FAQ
Smarter decisions start with clear answers.
What is a fractional CPO?
A fractional Chief Product Officer (CPO) is a senior product leader who works with your company part-time, usually 1–3 days per week. You get strategic and hands-on product leadership without the cost or commitment of a full-time C-suite hire.
Does every tech company need a CPO?
Yes. A CPO is designed to be the person that brings strategy and planning to chaos. Every company needs someone championing the overall product vision and a portfolio approach because every organization’s product or product lines need to support multiple goals, segments, and themes. If you want to become outcome focused, rather than build without results, you need a CPO. If you want to connect your goals to action, you need a CPO. If you want to align priorities across all business functions, you need a CPO.
What if I don’t know exactly what I need?
That’s normal – and usually the best time to bring me in. We’ll start by mapping your product, challenges and goals, then I’ll help you diagnose the real issues and define a clear, prioritised plan before we commit to any build.
Can I request just one service?
Yes, in some cases. Most of my work is as a fractional CPO on a monthly retainer, but I sometimes take on focused projects such as market/discovery sprints, product audits, tooling/stack implementations or advisory sessions. If you have a specific need, get in touch. If your needs are ongoing rather than one-off, I’ll usually recommend a retainer so we can actually see the work through.
How do payments work?
I usually work on a monthly retainer, based on an agreed number of days per month, with 30 days’ notice on either side. You’ll receive an invoice each month, payable by bank transfer in GBP. UK VAT is added where applicable. For smaller, one-off projects or advisory sessions, an hourly or fixed project fee can be agreed instead. Before we start, we’ll agree scope, availability, rates and notice period in a simple contract so expectations are clear on both sides.
When does it make sense to bring in a fractional CPO instead of hiring full-time?
It’s usually right when you’re between Seed and Series B, your product is getting traction, and decisions are becoming more complex—but you’re not yet ready for a full-time CPO, or you’re still figuring out exactly what that role should own.
How do you usually structure engagements?
Most engagements run for 3–12 months, starting with a focused discovery and diagnosis phase. We then agree outcomes, scope and working patterns. I usually work on a retainer basis, 1-3 days per week.
Do you only work remotely?
I primarily work remotely with teams across the UK and Europe, but I’m open to occasional on-site sessions at a WeWork or your office, for strategy, workshops and key milestones.