Whenever I introduce myself as a Fractional Chief People Officer (also called a CPO), someone usually asks what the role involves. It’s a great question, but what matters most is why this model is so valuable for creative agencies.

Fractional roles are certainly gaining in popularity – but behind the trend is a very practical shift: creative businesses increasingly need senior expertise, but not on a full-time payroll.

This article explains what a Fractional CPO does, why the model works so well, what kinds of projects we lead, and some real examples from my own work.

What does “fractional” really mean?

Think of a Fractional CPO as a highly experienced senior people leader you bring in part-time, on a contract, or retainer basis. You get strategic leadership without the commitment or cost of a full-time hire – that’s ideal when budgets and headcount are tight.

But this isn’t the same as a short-term interim. Fractional CPOs usually stay involved for several months, working as an embedded part of your leadership team and delivering outcomes that strengthen the business for the long term.

In my work, I combine hands-on HR leadership with flexible delivery, bringing C-suite experience to creative agencies that don’t yet need – or can’t justify – a permanent CPO. For growing companies, that experience can make all the difference.

Five advantages of the CPO role:

1. Senior expertise without the full-time cost

You get C-suite capability and strategic people leadership at a fraction of the salary and benefits of a permanent CPO.

2. Speed and outcome-focused delivery

Fractional CPOs focus on diagnosing issues quickly and delivering measurable improvements – not lengthy reports or unnecessary complexity.

3. Flexible, scalable support

Increase or reduce support based on what’s happening in your business: periods of fast hiring, restructuring, investment rounds, or leadership transitions.

4. Reduced risk during times of change

A Fractional CPO can stabilise your people operations through periods like founder transitions, M&A, leadership gaps, or rapid growth – ensuring the business stays compliant, aligned, and well-prepared.

5. A stronger foundation for growth

Many creative agencies grow fast before their people processes catch up. A fractional CPO helps build scalable systems, coach developing HR teams, and set the culture before problems take root.

How does a Fractional CPO support a creative agency?

Typical engagements focus on the people challenges that most business owners don’t have the time – or specialist expertise – to tackle on their own:

• Building people strategy aligned to business goals (org design, succession, hiring plans).
• Strengthening culture and leadership capability, especially during growth or change.
• Creating scalable recruitment and onboarding processes to avoid rushed or risky hiring.
• Managing urgent people risks such as grievances, performance issues, legal compliance or restructures.
• Supporting investment or sale preparation, ensuring your people operations stand up to due diligence.

These are all areas where mistakes can be costly – but where the right fractional support can unlock real performance and stability.

Examples of my fractional CPO work

Through my consultancy, en:Rich, I’ve supported creative agencies and also SMEs across multiple sectors. A few examples include:

• Virtual team culture refresh: helping a fast growing PR agency improve connection and update development plans across a remote team.
• Coaching founders and senior HR leaders: offering external expertise and guidance to strengthen internal capability.
• Strategic people planning: working with a leadership team to shape their 12-month people roadmap and provide operational HR support.
• Culture and purpose definition: supporting an insurance SME to clarify its culture, purpose, and development plan for employees.
• Designing a CSR approach: creating a practical, employee-centred strategy that received strong internal feedback.

In conclusion

A Fractional Chief People Officer is a cost-effective way to access senior people and leadership expertise that might otherwise be out of reach. Whether you’re scaling, preparing for investment, or simply trying to stabilise your people operations, a fractional CPO provides the leadership and structure needed to support growth – without adding full-time headcount.

For many creative businesses, this model is becoming the smartest way to professionalise HR, de-risk the business, and build a culture that attracts and retains great people.

Need some outside help?

If you’d like support on a fractional, interim or part-time basis across culture, people strategy or HR leadership, you can take a look at my Fractional CPO page:

https://www.enrichpeople.co.uk/fractional-chief-people-officer-cpo

About enRich

Hello my name is Rich Roberts and I’ve been a freelance Culture and People Consultant for over ten years helping to build high performing teams through having a positive,engaging and motivating culture.