Cost-Effective Expertise
C-Level Technology Strategy & Leadership at 30-50% the cost of a full-time CTO, with flexible engagement models that scale with your needs.
Fractional CTO Services
Strategic Technology Leadership, without the full-time commitment.
- ✓ Immediate Impact: Hit the ground running with experienced leadership
- ✓ Cost-Effective: Senior expertise without full-time overhead
- ✓ Flexible Engagement: Scale up or down based on your needs
- ✓ Proven Track Record: 15+ years scaling technology teams
Guiding Your Technology Function to Success
Why Choose a Fractional CTO?
Access experienced Technology Leadership at a fraction of the cost, with proven expertise from funded startup environments to enterprise-scale transformations.
Investor Confidence
Experienced leadership that understands Seed, Series A and PE requirements, helping secure funding and support post-investment acceleration.
Experience Navigating Startups
Real-world experience scaling SaaS technology businesses from 20 to 400+ staff and navigating the challenges of rapid growth phases.
David Naylor's Proven Track Record
Real results with funded startups and growing companies
- Aveni.ai (Series A Scottish FinTech of the year 2024): Supported technology scaling post one of Scotland's biggest Series A rounds of 2024, focusing on AI implementation and team growth from 21 to 56 staff in the Product & Technology Function alone
- Red61: Transformed the Product and Engineering Function & and overhauled InfoSec and Compliance within 12 months, setting them up for continued success with a focus on operational excellence and team performance
- STRAT7 (PE-backed): Led technology transformation during Private Equity investment, scaling from 20 to 400+ international staff while maintaining operational excellence and driving technology focussed M&A
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Executed critical platform migration from on-premises to cloud in just 2 weeks, ensuring zero downtime for one of Scotland's biggest cultural event
- Data Transformation: Sponsored data transformation projects driving new revenue streams, delivering measurable business value and preparing them for future investment in AI capabilities
- Partnerships and Offshore Development: Established strategic partnerships across IT Ops & Cloud Engineering and leveraged offshore development teams to enhance service delivery and reduce costs
- FinTech AI Implementation: Advanced artificial intelligence integration in financial services with proven ROI and enhanced customer experience through comprehensive AI advisory services
Core Service Areas
Expert technology leadership that drives measurable business value
As a commercially focused technology leader, I help ambitious businesses unlock growth, resilience, and innovation through practical, board-level expertise. Whether you're scaling a SaaS platform, implementing AI advisory solutions, strengthening security, or building high-performing teams, my approach is hands-on and outcomes-driven. I work alongside founders, boards, and investors to ensure technology and AI & Data Strategy isn't just an enabler—but a strategic driver of measurable business value. Explore the core areas where I deliver impact for clients navigating rapid change and seeking a competitive edge.
Strategic Planning & Governance
Strategic Planning & Governance
Develop and execute technology roadmaps, guide architecture decisions, streamline vendor selection, and shape board-level strategy to ensure your technology supports long-term business goals.
Develop and execute technology roadmaps, guide architecture decisions, streamline vendor selection, and shape board-level strategy to ensure your technology supports long-term business goals.
Align technology investments with business objectives and growth strategies
Team Leadership & Development
Team Leadership & Development
Build, scale, and lead high-performing product and engineering teams. Drive recruitment, capability management, and foster a culture that delivers consistent results.
Build, scale, and lead high-performing product and engineering teams. Drive recruitment, capability management, and foster a culture that delivers consistent results.
Cultivate teams that excel and adapt in fast-paced environments
AI & Data Strategy
AI & Data Strategy
Leverage our comprehensive AI advisory services to embed modern AI capabilities and a data-driven culture into your operations, creating new efficiencies and revenue opportunities. Our AI & Data Strategy approach helps you implement artificial intelligence solutions that align with your business objectives.
Leverage our comprehensive AI advisory services to embed modern AI capabilities and a data-driven culture into your operations, creating new efficiencies and revenue opportunities. Our AI & Data Strategy approach helps you implement artificial intelligence solutions that align with your business objectives.
Transform user experiences and operational efficiency with AI advisory expertise
Operations & Delivery
Operations & Delivery
Product Discovery & Development process optimisation, infrastructure scaling, security implementation, and quality assurance.
Product Discovery & Development process optimisation, infrastructure scaling, security implementation, and quality assurance.
Ensure reliable delivery and operational excellence
Business Alignment & Growth
Business Alignment & Growth
Product-technology alignment, go-to-market technology support, investor relations, and growth enablement.
Product-technology alignment, go-to-market technology support, investor relations, and growth enablement.
Bridge the gap between technology and business success
Information Security & Compliance
Information Security & Compliance
Risk management, data protection strategies, regulatory compliance, and security best practices.
Risk management, data protection strategies, regulatory compliance, and security best practices.
Safeguard your organisation against evolving threats
Flexible Engagement Models
Choose the engagement level that best fits your company stage and needs
Strategic Advisory
1–2 Days Monthly – Retained
Board-level technology guidance and independent expertise to shape your roadmap, strengthen governance, and support key strategic decisions. Ideal for established teams seeking an experienced perspective to challenge assumptions and unlock new opportunities.
- Monthly strategic reviews
- Architecture and roadmap advisory
- Board and investor support
- Vendor and technology evaluations
Active Leadership
1–2 Days Weekly – Fixed Day Rate
Hands-on leadership embedded within your team, driving delivery, developing talent, and optimising processes. Perfect for growing businesses needing operational momentum, improved execution, and practical management support.
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Project and delivery management
- Process and workflow optimisation
- Recruitment and capability building
Growth Acceleration
3–4 Days Weekly – Fixed Term
Intensive, full-spectrum technology leadership for periods of rapid scaling, post-investment transformation, or major change. I take ownership of your technology strategy, team scaling, and delivery—ensuring your business is ready for its next stage of growth.
- Full CTO responsibilities
- Rapid team and platform scaling
- Major transformation delivery
- Investor and board reporting