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Fractional talent: A game-changer for your business

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BENEFITS OF FRACTIONAL TALENT

  1. Access to specialised expertise
  2. It’s cost-effective
  3. Promotes agility
  4. Accelerates growth and innovation
HIRE FRACTIONAL TALENT
Imagine you could hire someone who has the exact skills and experience you need, without having to commit to a long-term contract or pay a full-time salary?

If it sounds too good to be true – it’s not. It’s called fractional talent, and it’s a solution that Slack, Google and Netflix have all used to boost their business.

Our clients are benefiting too, with fractional HR Directors, Programme Managers and more delivering projects at a fraction of the cost.

What is fractional talent?

Fractional talent is a way of hiring professionals on a part-time or project basis, depending on your needs. You only pay for the talent you need, when you need it and you get access to a wide range of specialised expertise that can help your business grow and innovate. Here’s how:

ACCESS TO SPECIALISED EXPERTISE

With fractional talent, you will get access to a vast pool of experienced professionals with niche expertise, often difficult to find and retain on a full-time basis. This means you can secure the expertise you need to fill those critical skill gaps, without the hassle of traditional hiring. A recent report by The Creative Group shared that 76% of marketing and advertising executives use fractional talent to supplement their teams, and 58% said they plan to increase their use of fractional talent in the next year.

COST EFFECTIVENESS

Fractional talent eliminates the financial burden of full-time salaries, benefits packages, and overhead costs. This can save you thousands of pounds each year, particularly for temporary or specialised projects. So, if you’re looking for a CFO to help you with your financial strategy and planning – hiring a fractional CFO can save businesses up to 68% in costs compared to hiring a full-time CFO.

AGILITY

Fractional talent allows you to quickly and easily scale your team up or down as your business evolves. This is crucial for businesses navigating the ever-changing market landscape.

Accelerated growth and innovation

You can get fresh perspectives and insight to your business. Or launch new initiatives, expand into new markets and drive innovation. These seasoned professionals can be invaluable assets in achieving your business objectives. According to Deloitte, 67% of businesses said they use fractional talent to access skills and knowledge that are not available internally.

benefits to businesses of all sizes

Startups

  • Bridging skill gaps: Bridge critical skill gaps in areas like marketing, finance, and product development. Uber used fractional talent to help develop their marketing strategy and branding.
  • Cost-conscious hiring: Access top talent without the financial strain of full-time salaries and benefits. Airbnb brought in fractional talent to help them with their legal and regulatory issues when they were expanding into new markets.
  • Navigating growth phases: Ensure seamless transitions and continued success as your startup grows. Slack acquired fractional talent to help them with their product development and user experience when they were scaling up their user base.

SMEs

  • Enhancing efficiency: Boost efficiency and productivity during peak periods or when specific skills are required.
  • Managing specialised projects: Take on specialised projects without disrupting ongoing operations.
  • Accessing expertise without long-term commitments: Tailor your workforce based on evolving needs. The Guardian hired fractional talent to help them with their editorial and content strategy.

Corporations

  • Innovation and strategic initiatives: Support innovation and strategic initiatives, fostering growth and adaptability. Google used fractional talent to help them with their artificial intelligence and machine learning projects.
  • Supporting rapid expansion: Rapidly provide the necessary skills and expertise to support rapid expansion into new markets or launching new product lines. Netflix brought in fractional talent to help them with their international expansion and localisation.
  • Managing organisational change: Facilitate organisational change by providing training, leadership coaching, or process improvement expertise.

HIRE fractional talent

The demand for fractional talent will only continue to rise as businesses become more aware of the benefits. As businesses pursue flexible, cost-effective solutions to address their talent needs, fractional talent is poised to become the answer. 

We work with fractional talent across Marketing, Sales, Finance, HR and more. You can see some of our latest profiles below:

Global Marketing Director with a successful track record across a number of industries including Drinks, FMCG and Financial Services. Proven marketing, commercial & innovation skills, combined with high level strategic planning experience, and a talent for inspiring, leading and developing people to deliver results. Has led teams of 20-30 people as well as building marketing teams from the ground up that can then deliver across the marketing mix, both in the UK and Global markets. Comfortable working at Board and Executive leadership level, as well as an approachable and collaborative personality to always get the best out their team.

Highly experienced HR professional with a track record of delivery within leading blue-chip organisations who can quickly develop and foster effective and trusted working relationships at all levels. Experience covers organisational design and development, talent attraction and management, leadership development, employee relations, and compensation and benefits. With a passion for improving organisational performance through people, brings experience of both private and publicly listed business within the FMCG sector.

Developed a career within high profile branded food & drinks over 25 years and has worked across UK retail channel with considerable experience working with grocery multiples as well as export/international markets. They bring an entrepreneurial ability, and strong track record quickly identifying commercial opportunities. Additional experience with team management, people development and mentoring alongside significant business planning skills including NPD, and multi-channel RTM exposure driving profitable growth.

CIMA qualified Finance Director with a proven track record in managing finance functions and operating as a Board Director across different business sectors. They have been involved in acquisitions and has been a key player in the sale of two businesses, managing the due diligence process and working closely with advisors on both sides to ensure completion. They have worked closely with strong and experienced owner managers/entrepreneurs as well as for high profile CEO within blue chip organisations. Strong influencing skills and provides leadership, support, mentoring and coaching to the finance team. Comfortable in changing business environments and has recently been involved in the integration of a business into a larger group which involved employee changes, new system implementation and new processes and reporting.

Results orientated CIO with extensive experience gained within international companies across a number of diverse industry sectors including FMCG, Energy and not-for-profit. Managing all aspects of digital technology, data and systems strategy and delivery.

A pragmatic strategist with key skills and achievements in both the positioning of corporate digital agendas at an executive level, and in the delivery of multi-million international programs. A proven team builder, confident to lead from the front in fast paced international environments, exercising active delegation and coaching. Recognised for strong financial management in both program and operational budgets of $100M+, across teams of 500+.

An experienced SME leader with a career spanning spirits, property and not for profit. Can demonstrate a wide commercial skill set with many examples of raising brand profile, driving profitable growth, and building cohesion between teams. Has held CEO/MD posts across businesses of the scale £1m to £25m t/o and has delivered both change and stability to complex organisations over 15 years. Responsibility has covered operations, finance, sales and marketing and has worked with small teams and boards in both executive and non-executive positions. A major strength is in developing high quality teams to deliver to exacting expectations. Also brings significant exposure of having worked within non-executive appointments in various trade-bodies, industry networks, committees across sports associations, charities, government cross-party groups, Bank of England panel, Ombudsman, sector skills councils and the Law Society.

Talk to Denholm

We’re problem-solvers. Whether it’s scarce skillsets, cost-effective solutions, or you just needed them to start yesterday… We are experts in hiring the talent you simply can’t find yourself. Contact Douglas Cross on 07900 604 898 or douglas@denholmassociates.com for more details. 

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ANDY BRADY

HEAD OF HR

Andy Brady is a seasoned HR recruitment specialist, with over two decades of expertise in the field. With a foundation in Human Resource Management from the University of Derby, Andy swiftly transitioned into specialised HR recruitment. His diverse portfolio spans FMCG, Manufacturing & Engineering, Financial Services, the Third Sector, and Supply Chain, working at all levels from entry to executive positions.

ZOE LUMSDEN

Recruitment AdministratoR

Zoe joined Denholm in 2022 as Recruitment Administrator, after working in administration roles for nearly a decade. Most recently within the recruitment industry, she joins us with experience of supporting consultants, clients and candidates at all levels. Zoe has a passion for helping people and applies her positive attitude and approachable manner to support our team and deliver the best possible service to our clients and candidates at all times.

DREW GILLIES

HEAD OF AGENCY

Drew arrived at Denholm as an award-winning creative, having headed content strategy teams for marketing/advertising agencies in the UK/USA before a successful career in HR, people and culture. He has years of marketing experience and building teams on both sides of the Atlantic, priding himself on going the extra mile for clients and candidates alike. Drew always works with passion as our specialist in account management, planning and strategy, digital marketing, full-spectrum creative and traffic/studio management.

CALLUM BEVERIDGE

SENIOR CONSULTANT - TECHNOLOGY, CHANGE & TRANSFORMATION

Callum has been working in recruitment since 2018 where he has solely focussed on the Technology, Change and Transformation market across the UK and ROI. He works closely with his clients and candidates to build long-lasting relationships across several industries, including Technology, Financial Services, Professional Services, Healthcare, Education, Public Sector and more. He specialises in engineering roles across Software, Infrastructure, Systems, DevOps and Cloud, along with Software Testing.

MICHELLE WEIR

Senior Finance Executive

Michelle is enthusiastic, practical, and adaptable – with 15 years experience across Finance. She is known for being trustworthy, hardworking, and enjoying a challenge. Michelle excels, both independently and as part of a team, bringing a methodical approach to her work. Combining a friendly and professional demeanor, allows her to effectively engage with colleagues and clients at all levels. Client and candidate care is paramount to Michelle and to Denholm.

ALANA SIM

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - CONSUMER

Alana has been working in recruitment since 2012, predominately within the FMCG & Consumer markets. Having recruited in both the UK & Asia Pacific markets, Alana has a sound knowledge of local & international recruitment. Partnering with brands to attract & hire the best sales talent in the market, Alana focuses on mid to senior level Sales appointments within the Consumer space. With a strong commercial & sales background, Alana identifies and engages the best commercially focused talent for our clients.

SCOTT CAITHNESS

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP PARTNER

Scott started his career working for one of the leading Advertising & Comms agencies in Edinburgh where he spent 7 years before moving in to recruitment in 2011. As such, he is well-networked in the Marketing & Comms space across Scotland. With a friendly and consultative approach, Scott is genuinely passionate about providing a positive journey to both candidates and clients alike and believes communication plays a big part in this.  A “thinking-outside-the-box recruiter”, he is known for helping candidates portray the best version of themselves and helping clients find talent for those hard to fill roles.

ANDY MACEWAN

HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY, CHANGE & TRANSFORMATION

Andy has been recruiting in Technology, Change & Transformation since 2001. Delivering tailored resource solutions as trusted advisor to clients ranging from start-ups through to global blue-chip organisations across contract, permanent, fixed term, and managed service/statement of work solutions. He has experience providing candidates for Helpdesk through to CIO and takes great pride in providing excellent customer service and ensuring each candidate journey is a positive one. An expert in his market he can provide guidance across current market trends.

JAMES BLYTH

HEAD OF MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING

James has a decade of experience within the FMCG sector where he has partnered with a wide range of businesses placing key appointments at all levels including Director/ Board level. Driving growth across our Manufacturing & Engineering function, James specialises in Production, Operations, Engineering, Quality, HSE, Technical, NPD and Supply Chain. With his passion and expertise in these areas, James supports candidates and clients by working closely to understand their needs and wants providing exceptional service.

ANGELA MCCANN

DIRECTOR OF GROWTH

Having worked in the recruitment industry since 2000, Angela brings a wealth of experience as a Recruitment Professional and a proven track record of delivering a high-quality search and selection service to both public and private companies in the UK and internationally. Angela believes in a partnership approach to recruitment, ensuring a detailed understanding of employer/jobseeker requirements and delivering a bespoke service underpinned by professionalism, pragmatism and strong market knowledge.

Our Community

As well as working in close collaboration with our clients, and the online marketplaces, we are active members of groups that have been established to combat illicit trade. These include the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group, the European Intellectual Property Office, The Scottish Business Resilience Centre, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, and the China Britain Business Council. Members of our senior management sit on the boards of ACID (Anti-Copying in Design), the Scottish Ministerial Trade Board, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office’s Observatory Panel for SMEs, amongst others.

Each team member nominates good causes or charities that are supported on both an individual and corporate basis. Wherever possible, we support the employee’s involvement whether through time or fundraising events.

Our Environment

We deliver purpose-driven work from an extremely welcoming environment near the City Centre. We actively encourage the responsible use of resources, from using public transport to reuse, recycling, and, of course, a minimal impact office environment. We have benefited from the advice of the Energy Saving Trust and Resource Efficient Scotland. Our waste contractor also provides us with a monthly report on volumes and types of material and the carbon emissions avoided through recycling.

Over 80% of our employees can walk or cycle to The Lair and, pre-pandemic, 10% were using public transport as their normal daily commuting mode. Without doubt, online meetings will replace considerable miles, going forward, saving resources, time and energy. Where possible, when possible, the train remains our preferred option. 

Our People

Our people are our most important asset, and their mental well-being and happiness are core to our success. We love our diverse workforce, actively embrace flexible working (even pre-pandemic!) and encourage a healthy work-life balance. We have been recognised as one of the most diverse SME workplaces in the UK and are holders of the Scottish Business Pledge which exists to promote a fairer Scotland. We have also just been included in the 2021 Culture Leaders Top 25 – an accolade of which we are very proud!

We are a fully inclusive and nurturing employer and, despite being in tech, the majority of our team are women, leading to accolades in the Computing Magazine Women in IT Awards and the Amazon Growing Business Awards. We currently represent 15 nationalities and speak 20 languages. Age is no barrier, and we recruit for attitude, providing and encouraging appropriate learning and training for each and every role.

We are also proud members of IP Inclusive, a network of professionals working to make the intellectual property industry more diverse.

Our Purpose

Our aim is to combat illicit online trade by identifying and removing counterfeits for sale. Counterfeits not only damage brands, their reputations, and revenues, but can cause significant harm to the end customer – whether as a fake toy or a fake medicine – and the consequences can be life threatening.

Counterfeiting is a significant economic and social issue.

The OECD reports that counterfeit and fake goods make up more than 3.3% of the world’s global trade. Those involved in the trade of counterfeits have been linked to people trafficking, prostitution, and drug dealing.

As such, reducing illicit trade is about much more than brand protection but also about human rights, safety, and social equity.

And this is what we do, every day.

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Communication Advisors

We’re a passionate and professional team who thrive in issue-rich environment and we’re looking for Senior Communication Advisors, Communications Advisors and Communications Executives to join their fast-growing team. 

You’ll have previous agency experience at Senior Account Manager or Account Manager level and be passionate about delivering excellent results for clients. You might be a specialist in PR and media relations who produces compelling editorial content across a range of topics and sectors or you might be a public affairs expert who understands the policy landscape and helps clients build influential relationships. Whatever your specialism, you’ll be an excellent writer, full of creative ideas, with proven client management experience and the ability to provide expert advice our clients.

Your key duties will include:

  • Supporting the key account lead with day-to-day client liaison, providing strategic counsel on day-to-day account matters when required
  • Active involvement in planning and delivering global PR, marketing and digital campaigns
  • Managing content programmes, including mapping out content themes, spotting industry trends and story angles, writing copy when required which may include opinion articles, web and social
  • Building strong media relationships, creating pitches based on your story ideas and delivering content in-to suit the client’s target media and securing opportunities
  • Planning and running client’s social media programmes, and management of their channels
  • Continuously identifying opportunities to grow brand awareness and profile our client’s businesses within their target sector through events, webinars, thought leadership
  • Producing comprehensive and timely reports on client activity 
  • Supporting in the development of client proposals to help grow or win parts of the business


In addition, to be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate:

  • Proven background in account handling and direct client liaison – 4 years’ minimum
  • Experience in an agency setting focusing on B2B communication or PR
  • Strong communications skills, verbal and written
  • A background in delivering creative, digitally led B2B communications such as LinkedIn campaigns
  • An innate understanding of earned media, with the ability to create stories and generate coverage across traditional media, digital and social
  • Experience working on content management programmes, with an awareness of the changing way business audiences consume information and an appreciation of search, paid and wider customer marketing activity, and how it all fits together
  • A history of working with clients in a variety of sectors is welcomed but experience in the tech and energy industries is advantageous.
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Communication Lead

We’re a passionate and professional team who thrive in issue-rich environment and we’re looking to add a Communication Lead to our fast-growing team. You’ll be a trusted advisor to clients across several sectors in all aspects of communication, external affairs, marketing and issues management. Coming from an agency or consultancy environment, at Account Director level or above, you’ll report directly to the Managing Director and be responsible for a small and busy multi-disciplinary team. You’ll have first-class project management skills, be solutions-driven and excellent commercial acumen too. Alongside the senior team, you’ll work to drive the strategic growth of Aspect.

Your core duties will include:

  • Working with the MD to develop and deliver growth strategies 
  • Attracting and retaining profitable clients across a range of sectors 
  • Leading the creation and execution of strategic communication programmes
  • Inspiring, leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams
  • Developing strong relationships with clients, colleagues and associates
  • Producing high quality pitches and proposals to secure new business 
  • Curating, nurturing and managing a team of talented associates.

You’ll be a skilled communicator, interested and knowledgeable about the key issues shaping the external environment. In addition, to be considered for this role, you must be able to demonstrate:

  • 7+ years of senior leadership experience within an agency or consultancy
  • Experience in Energy, Renewables, Financial Services or Life Sciences would be very desirable
  • Outstanding writing skills and the ability to engage and excite an audience
  • An impressive track record of client attraction, retention and growth 
  • The ability to thrive fast-paced environment managing multiple projects simultaneously
  • Strong influencing and leadership skills to motivate and inspire those around you
  • Excellent planning, evaluation and project management skills
  • To develop new processes, systems and ways of working to drive performance

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CVs and interviews will take you to Level 2. Our behavioural profile will take you to Level 3, vital to identifying future potential.

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