Interim Management for Technology and AI

Technology businesses grow and change quickly, and leadership has to keep up.

Use of artificial intelligence is spreading fast. The Office for National Statistics found that around 35% of UK businesses with ten or more employees reported using at least one AI technology in June 2026, up from around 12% in late 2023.

For software, data and AI businesses, that means faster growth and more pressure on the leadership team. For other organisations, it brings transformation programmes that need experienced technology leadership.

Novo provides interim management and fractional leadership for technology, software and AI businesses, and for organisations leading major technology change. We find interim and fractional CTOs, CIOs and COOs who have led this work before.

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When Technology Businesses Bring in Interim Executives

Common situations include:

  • Growth has outpaced the leadership team
  • A technology or AI transformation needs an experienced leader
  • A senior leader leaves at short notice
  • The business is preparing for investment or a sale
  • An acquisition means two platforms or teams need integrating
  • A permanent executive search is underway

Every assignment has a defined goal, for example scaling delivery, leading a transformation or preparing the business for investment.

Interim CTOs for AI and Technology Change

The ONS found that AI use is still relatively shallow in most businesses. Many have AI and technology programmes but no senior leader with the experience to run them.

An interim technology leader can set direction, bring the right suppliers and teams together and report clearly to the board. A fractional leader can give smaller businesses the same senior oversight part time.

Read how we appointed an interim COO to stabilise and scale a high-growth software business.

Testimonials

Novo introduced an interim COO who stabilised the business without slowing momentum. They aligned our teams, improved delivery discipline and restored customer trust. The organisation now operates with clarity and confidence.

Interim COO, High-Tech Software Company

Novo delivered exactly what we needed at a moment of real pressure. The interim operations director brought calm, clarity and genuine support to our teams. Confidence returned quickly and the airport regained its rhythm far sooner than we expected.

Interim Operations Director, International Airport

Interim and Fractional Roles in Technology

We find interim and fractional leaders for technology businesses and technology change, including:

Our Sector Specialists

jon hollier

Jon Hollier

dale perrett

Dale Perrett

george woodward

George Woodward

ryan mills

Ryan Mills

dale perrett

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Dale is one of the Founding Directors of Novo Executive Search and Selection. He is part of the Novo leadership team that drives the business. He remains passionate about working...

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ryan mills

Ryan Mills

Director

Ryan is a Director of Novo Executive Search and Selection, with extensive experience recruiting senior management and board level professionals across a multitude of sectors. His client base ranges from...

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jon hollier

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Jon is a Founding Director of Novo Executive Search & Selection. Beyond establishing and developing Novo, his extensive experience covers a wide range of disciplines across commercial and the third...

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george woodward

George Woodward

Director

George is an experienced director and key member of Novo Executive Search’s leadership team and is integral in driving forward its growth into the future. With a breadth of UK...

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Related Case Studies

Need interim leadership for a technology programme?

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Permanent Technology Leadership

For permanent appointments, see our technology executive search and CIO and IT Director recruitment pages.

Interim & Fractional Leaders for Technology & AI FAQs