Advisory CEO Jobs UK
Advisory Executive Leadership

Advisory CEO Jobs UK

Find advisory CEO and advisory Managing Director roles across the UK. Premium advisory executive leadership positions with day rates from £800-£1,200.

1+
Advisory CEO Roles
£1000
Avg Day Rate
1
Remote/Hybrid
Updated 28 January 2026
Last Updated
Advisory CEO Rates

Advisory CEO Day Rate Calculator

Fractional CEO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

£1,200
£900Avg: £1200£1800
2.5 days
1 day5 days
2 clients
14
Weekly
£6,000
Monthly
£25,980
Annual
£288,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CEO UK average day rate: £1200.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

Who's Hiring

UK Companies Hiring Advisory CEOs

Fractional Quest

The UK Advisory CEO Market in 2026

The advisory CEO market in the UK is growing as boards and investors seek experienced executive guidance without full-time commitments. According to the Institute of Directors (IoD), demand for advisory and NED roles has increased as governance expectations rise and first-time CEOs seek mentorship.

Unlike interim CEO roles, advisory positions focus on strategic counsel and mentorship rather than operational leadership. Advisory CEOs typically work with multiple organisations simultaneously, providing high-value input on critical strategic decisions.

When Organisations Need Advisory CEOs

Organisations typically engage advisory CEOs for specific strategic situations:

  • CEO mentorship — Supporting first-time CEOs or founders transitioning to the CEO role.
  • Strategic planning — Facilitating annual planning, vision setting, and strategic reviews.
  • Board effectiveness — Advising on governance, board composition, and investor relations.
  • Transition support — Guiding leadership transitions and succession planning.
  • Transformation guidance — Advising on major strategic shifts, M&A, or turnarounds.
  • Crisis navigation — Providing experienced counsel during challenging periods.

Essential Skills & Experience for Advisory CEOs

Executive Expertise

  • • P&L leadership and value creation
  • • Board management and governance
  • • Investor and stakeholder relations
  • • Strategic planning and execution
  • • M&A and exit experience

Advisory Capabilities

  • • Executive coaching and mentorship
  • • Strategic facilitation
  • • Crisis management
  • • Governance expertise
  • • Trusted advisor relationships

Top UK Sectors Hiring Advisory CEOs

SectorTypical Day RateKey Drivers
Private Equity£1,000-£1,500Portfolio oversight, value creation
Venture-backed£900-£1,300Founder coaching, scaling guidance
Family Business£800-£1,200Succession, professionalisation
Not-for-Profit£700-£1,000Governance, strategy
Mid-Market£850-£1,200Transformation, growth

Day Rates & IR35 Considerations

  • Day rate range: £800-£1,200 standard, up to £1,800 for specialist engagements
  • Monthly commitment: Typically 2-4 days per month for advisory roles
  • IR35 status: Advisory CEO roles typically fall outside IR35 due to their strategic nature
  • Retainer models: Many advisory CEOs work on monthly retainers for ongoing availability

Career Path: Transitioning to Advisory CEO Work

  1. Building a track record of successful CEO/MD leadership
  2. Developing board experience and governance expertise
  3. Building relationships with PE firms, VCs, and board networks
  4. Starting with 1-2 advisory relationships or NED positions
  5. Gradually building a portfolio of 3-5 advisory and board roles

Related Resources

Authority Resources

IR35 Calculator for Advisory CEOs

UK Tax Calculator

IR35 Take-Home Pay Calculator

See how IR35 status affects your earnings as a fractional executive

£1,000
4 days
48 weeks
Gross Annual: £192,000

Inside IR35

Umbrella company or deemed employment

Gross Revenue
£192,000
Employer's NI
-£11,261
Income Tax
-£57,648
Employee NI
-£5,409
Take-Home Pay
£116,482

Outside IR35

Limited company - salary + dividends

Company Revenue
£192,000
Corporation Tax
-£46,754
Dividend Tax
-£38,948
Take-Home Pay
£103,298
Being Outside IR35 Saves You
-£13,184
per year (-11.3% more)
BetaEstimates only. Consult a tax accountant. gov.uk/IR35
FAQ

Common Questions About Advisory CEO Jobs UK

An advisory CEO is an experienced chief executive who provides strategic leadership guidance and expertise on a consultative basis. Unlike interim CEOs who take on full executive responsibility, advisory CEOs offer high-level counsel on specific challenges such as strategic planning, board relations, leadership development, or business transformation. They typically work fewer hours but bring deep expertise to critical executive decisions.
Advisory CEO day rates in the UK typically range from £800-£1,200 per day, depending on experience, sector expertise, and complexity of the engagement. Specialist areas like turnaround advisory or PE portfolio leadership can command rates of £1,200-£1,800/day. Advisory roles often involve fewer days per month than interim roles, making them cost-effective for specific strategic needs.
Advisory CEO engagements are typically structured around specific deliverables or time allocations (e.g., 2-4 days per month). The advisory CEO might support strategic planning, mentor the CEO or leadership team, advise on board matters, or provide guidance during major transitions. Engagements can be ongoing retainers or project-based.
Advisory CEOs bring operational CEO experience and provide strategic business guidance, often with hands-on involvement in specific challenges. Executive coaches focus on personal development and leadership skills. Advisory CEOs might work alongside the board; executive coaches typically work one-on-one with the individual leader.
Most advisory CEOs have 20+ years of executive experience including prior CEO, MD, or President roles. Essential qualifications include proven P&L responsibility, successful exits or transformations, board-level experience, and the ability to mentor and develop other leaders. Many have sector-specific expertise or specialise in certain company stages (startup, scale-up, turnaround).
The highest demand for advisory CEOs comes from: first-time CEOs seeking mentorship, boards wanting independent oversight, founders transitioning to CEO roles, PE-backed companies needing strategic guidance, and organisations undergoing significant transformation or transition.
Advisory CEO roles often fall outside IR35 due to their consultative nature, lack of operational control, and strategic focus. However, each engagement must be assessed individually. Key factors include: providing advice not direction, working for multiple clients, and clearly defined project scope. Always obtain a status determination statement (SDS).
Advisory CEO hiring focuses on chemistry and trust. The process typically includes: initial discussion with the board or CEO about challenges, assessment of relevant experience and leadership style, discussion of working relationship dynamics, and agreement on scope and confidentiality. Relationships are often built through referrals and networks.
Yes, advisory CEO relationships frequently evolve into board positions. Many advisory CEOs are invited to join as Non-Executive Directors, Advisory Board members, or Chairs after demonstrating value. The advisory model is an excellent path to building a portfolio of board relationships.
Focus on: successful exits or transformations led, P&L scale managed, board experience and investor relations, leadership philosophy and mentoring approach, and sector expertise. Highlight your advisory approach and how you support rather than replace the executive team.
Meet the Expert

Written by a Practicing Fractional Executive

Dan Keegan - Fractional Executive Expert with 15+ years experience in GTM, strategy, and executive leadership

Dan Keegan

Founder & Fractional GTM Expert

With over 15 years of experience in executive leadership, go-to-market strategy, and business development, Dan brings real-world fractional expertise to help professionals navigate the executive job market.

Dan founded Fractional Quest after working as a fractional executive himself, understanding firsthand the challenges of finding quality opportunities and the value fractional leaders bring to growing businesses.

15+ Years Executive ExperienceFractional GTMStrategy & Growth

Prior executive experience includes

SONY
Sony
O
Orange
H3G
Hutchison

Current fractional client

1U
OneUp Productions
1U

OneUp Productions

Gaming & Esports Production

Fractional GTM Lead
3
New Markets Entered
GTM
Strategy Delivered
2-3
Days Per Week

The Challenge

OneUp Productions needed to expand into new international markets but lacked the in-house expertise for go-to-market strategy. They needed senior GTM leadership without the commitment of a full-time hire.

Our Approach

Engaged as Fractional GTM Lead to develop and execute market expansion strategy, working 2-3 days per week alongside the existing leadership team.

Cost Effective

Senior GTM expertise at a fraction of full-time hire cost

Immediate Impact

Hit the ground running with proven playbooks

Flexible Scale

Adjusted involvement as needs evolved

Fractional GTMMarket ExpansionGaming IndustryInternational Growth