Steve PughContact

FRACTIONAL COO

Fractional COO turning strategy into operational reality

Part-time chief operating officer leadership for UK businesses that have the ambition, the product and the market — but need senior operational muscle to actually execute. Based in Newcastle, working across the North East and the wider UK, I install the rhythm, systems and accountability that make growth repeatable.

Get in touch

Newcastle, UK

Portrait of Steve Pugh, CEO and C-suite consultant

The problem a fractional COO solves

Most scale-ups don't fail on strategy — they fail on execution. Teams grow faster than the operating model. Priorities multiply. Cash, hiring and delivery slip. A fractional COO gives you a seasoned operator to run the day-to-day operating rhythm, without the six-figure permanent hire the business isn't quite ready for.

What I take ownership of

Operational cadence and KPIs, functional leadership, hiring and structure, delivery and supply, cost base and margin, M&A integration, and the AI and systems that underpin efficiency. I recently led a restructure that delivered a 20% reduction in overhead with no loss in revenue or performance, and 30% efficiency gains through AI implementation.

How the engagement works

One to three days per week on a rolling monthly retainer. I embed with your leadership team, run the operational review, unblock delivery and coach your emerging operators. Where appropriate the role transitions into a permanent internal hire that I help recruit.

Sectors and situations

Software and SaaS, energy and offshore wind, engineering and manufacturing, professional services and investor-backed portfolios. Best fit for businesses turning over £3m–£75m facing growth pains, integration challenges or an operating model that no longer matches the size of the business.

SELECTED IMPACT

Positive measurable impact

€250m+

Portfolio revenue supported.

3000+

Employees across portfolio.

144

Countries reached by Roadmap MBA.

200%+

Net profit growth at Bignall Group.

£300m

Contracts supported by Tees Valley Catalyst Fund.

-20%

Overhead reduction on restructure with no loss in revenue or performance

+30%

Efficiency through the implementation of AI

22,000

Followers on LinkedIn

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a fractional COO actually do?
A fractional COO owns the operating rhythm of the business on a part-time basis: KPIs and cadence, functional leadership, delivery, cost base and margin, hiring and structure, and the systems and AI that make growth repeatable. It's a hands-on executive role, not advisory.
How much does a fractional COO cost in the UK?
Fractional COO engagements in the UK typically run £6,000–£20,000 per month depending on days per week, scope and stage of business. Mine are structured as a rolling monthly retainer with a clearly defined mandate and success measures agreed upfront.
When should we hire a fractional COO instead of a full-time one?
When you need senior operational leadership now but the business isn't ready to commit to a £150k+ permanent hire, or when you need proven pattern recognition for a specific challenge — scaling, integration, turnaround, AI adoption — that a first-time COO would take a year to build up.
Do you work with businesses outside the North East?
Yes. I'm based in Newcastle upon Tyne and work with businesses across the UK and Europe, blending on-site leadership days with remote operating rhythm. Regular presence in London and travel for board and offsite work.

CONTACT

Get in touch.

For CEO, interim leadership, board advisory, consulting or venture-building opportunities — drop me a line.

BASED
Newcastle, UK
LINKEDIN
Steve Pugh

Enquiries treated in strict confidence.

Steve Pugh