Fractional Futures cover art

Fractional Futures

Fractional Futures

Written by: Paul Mills
Listen for free

About this listen

Fractional Futures delves into the transformative world of fractional marketing leadership, offering unique insights for CEOs, investors, and senior marketing executives.

Discover how businesses can leverage fractional CMOs to grow faster and build a sustainable competitive advantage. Investors will learn how to streamline pre- and post-investment phases strategies to maximise their portfolio companies' potential, while senior marketing leaders will explore the benefits of a portfolio career and how to excel as a fractional CMO.

Hosted by industry experts in the fractional space, each episode features thought-provoking discussions, success stories, and practical advice, making 'Fractional Futures' your go-to resource for those looking to navigate the evolving landscape of marketing leadership. Available to listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

© 2026 VCMO Limited
Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Why Fractional Leadership Exists
    Jan 22 2026

    Send us a text

    Fractional Futures is the essential podcast for CEOs, investors, and senior marketing executives looking to unlock the power of fractional marketing leadership.

    Hosted by Paul Mills, Founder at VCMO, and with special guests, we'll share expert insights, provide actionable strategies and explore real-world success stories to help you leverage fractional marketing leadership for maximum impact.

    In this episode

    In this episode of Fractional Futures, Paul Mills and Lydia McClelland delve into the role of the fractional CMO, clarifying its definition, responsibilities, and the misconceptions surrounding it. They discuss the strategic value that fractional CMOs bring to organizations, how they differ from consultants, and the flexibility of engagement models. The conversation also addresses common myths about fractional leadership and emphasizes the importance of time management and commercial value in measuring success.

    Special Guest

    Lydia McLelland - Fractional CMO, LMC Associates

    Get a Free Marketing Capability Diagnostic

    Take advantage of VCMO's free online diagnostic to assess your organisation's marketing performance across six core capabilities. In just 5 minutes you will receive your personalised PDF highlighting strengths, gaps, and priority actions. No fluff. No cost. Just clarity. Plus, get a no-obligation review of your results with a VCMO Chartered Marketer.

    Click this link to learn more and get your score

    SOSTAC©

    Discover SOSTAC© Planning Framework by clicking this link.

    The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Fractional CMO

    Download our free guide by clicking this link.

    Key Takeaways

    • A fractional CMO is a senior marketing leader working part-time.
    • They bring strategic capability without the full-time salary.
    • Fractional CMOs lead the marketing function, unlike consultants who advise.
    • The value of a fractional CMO comes from senior thinking, not presence.
    • Fractional CMOs can add value at any stage of a business's lifecycle.
    • Engagement models should focus on outcomes, not hours worked.
    • Time management is crucial for balancing multiple clients.
    • Clear communication is key to successful fractional leadership.
    • Fractional CMOs help align marketing with commercial goals.
    • Success is measured by improved decision-making and better agency performance.

    Sound Bites

    "What is a fractional CMO?"

    "Consultants advise, fractional CMOs lead."

    "Fractional CMOs can add value at any stage."

    Contact VCMO

    • Connect with the host on LinkedIn
    • Watch the Episodes on YouTube
    • Email us at hi@vcmo.uk
    • Visit our website vcmo.uk
    • Phone us +44 (0) 331 630 9395

    Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    Fractional Marketing Leadership | Marketing Transformed.

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Diagnosing & Resolving Marketing Dysfunction in 2026
    Jan 10 2026

    Send us a text

    Fractional Futures is the essential podcast for CEOs, investors, and senior marketing executives looking to unlock the power of fractional marketing leadership.

    Hosted by Paul Mills, Founder at VCMO, and with special guests, we'll share expert insights, provide actionable strategies and explore real-world success stories to help you leverage fractional marketing leadership for maximum impact.

    In this episode

    This virtual round table discussion explores the pervasive issue of marketing dysfunction within organisations, particularly as they enter a new year. The panel, consisting of four chartered marketing experts, delves into the causes of this dysfunction, including leadership challenges, the impact of AI, and the importance of clear communication and strategy. They discuss the signs of dysfunction, the consequences of leaving it unresolved, and the critical role of effective leadership in marketing. The conversation also highlights the differences in marketing dysfunction across various business sizes and offers insights into diagnosing and addressing these issues to foster growth and effectiveness in marketing efforts.

    Panel Experts

    Lydia McLelland, Chartered Fractional CMO

    Rachael Wheatley, Chartered Fractional CMO

    Ruth Napier, Chartered Fractional CMO

    Links to Useful Resources

    Get a Free Marketing Capability Diagnostic

    Take advantage of VCMO's free online diagnostic to assess your organisation's marketing performance across six core capabilities. In just 5 minutes you will receive your personalised PDF highlighting strengths, gaps, and priority actions. No fluff. No cost. Just clarity. Plus, get a no-obligation review of your results with a VCMO Chartered Marketer.

    Click this link to learn more and get your score

    SOSTAC©

    Discover SOSTAC© Planning Framework by clicking this link.

    Book a Meeting

    Book a no-obligation conversation with a Chartered Marketing Expert from VCMO. Click this link.

    Key Takeaways

    • Fractional CMOs provide strategic leadership on a part-time basis.
    • The role is about embedding leadership, not just executing marketing tasks.
    • Fractional CMOs are integrated into the senior leadership team.
    • They help set marketing strategy and align it with commercial goals.
    • The value of a fractional CMO comes from senior thinking, not hours worked.
    • Flexibility in engagement allows businesses to scale support as needed.
    • Fractional CMOs can add value at any stage of a business's lifecycle.
    • Effective communication is key to successful fractional leadership.
    • The model helps businesses avoid wa

    Contact VCMO

    • Connect with the host on LinkedIn
    • Watch the Episodes on YouTube
    • Email us at hi@vcmo.uk
    • Visit our website vcmo.uk
    • Phone us +44 (0) 331 630 9395

    Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    Fractional Marketing Leadership | Marketing Transformed.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • What Is a Fractional CMO
    Jan 4 2026

    Send us a text

    Fractional Futures is the essential podcast for CEOs, investors, and senior marketing executives looking to unlock the power of fractional marketing leadership.

    Hosted by Paul Mills, Founder at VCMO, and with special guests, we'll share expert insights, provide actionable strategies and explore real-world success stories to help you leverage fractional marketing leadership for maximum impact.

    In this episode

    In this episode of Fractional Futures, Paul Mills and Lydia McClelland delve into the concept of fractional leadership, particularly focusing on the role of a fractional CMO. They clarify what a fractional CMO is, how it differs from traditional marketing roles, and address common misconceptions surrounding the model. The conversation highlights the strategic value that fractional CMOs bring to organisations of all sizes, emphasizing their ability to provide senior-level marketing leadership without the full-time commitment. The discussion also covers the engagement model, flexibility, and how fractional CMOs can drive commercial success by aligning marketing efforts with business objectives.

    Special Guest

    Lydia McLelland, Fractional CMO

    Get a Free Marketing Capability Diagnostic

    Take advantage of VCMO's free online diagnostic to assess your organisation's marketing performance across six core capabilities. In just 5 minutes you will receive your personalised PDF highlighting strengths, gaps, and priority actions. No fluff. No cost. Just clarity. Plus, get a no-obligation review of your results with a VCMO Chartered Marketer.

    Click this link to learn more and get your score

    SOSTAC©

    Discover SOSTAC© Planning Framework by clicking this link.

    Key Takeaways

    • Fractional CMOs provide strategic leadership on a part-time basis.
    • The role is about embedding leadership, not just executing marketing tasks.
    • Fractional CMOs are integrated into the senior leadership team.
    • They help set marketing strategy and align it with commercial goals.
    • The value of a fractional CMO comes from senior thinking, not hours worked.
    • Flexibility in engagement allows businesses to scale support as needed.
    • Fractional CMOs can add value at any stage of a business's lifecycle.
    • Effective communication is key to successful fractional leadership.
    • The model helps businesses avoid wasting time and resources on disconnected activities.
    • A fractional CMO can uplift team capabilities and improve agency alignment.

    Sound bites

    "What is a fractional CMO really?"

    "You're the conductor of the orchestra."

    "The company should see better margins."

    Contact VCMO

    • Connect with the host on LinkedIn
    • Watch the Episodes on YouTube
    • Email us at hi@vcmo.uk
    • Visit our website vcmo.uk
    • Phone us +44 (0) 331 630 9395

    Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

    Fractional Marketing Leadership | Marketing Transformed.

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
No reviews yet