Fractional AI Director Services UK Board-Level Expertise at 70% Less Than Big 4
QUICK ROI INDICATOR
How Much Is Manual Processing Costing You?
If your team wastes hours each week on tasks AI could handle, here is what that costs — and what you could reclaim:
AI can typically automate 40-70% of repetitive manual work. Our Starter tier at £3,500/month identifies, implements, and measures your specific savings in 90 days — with a full ROI report for your board. Calculate your specific ROI in a free call →
Strategic AI implementation, governance frameworks, staff training, and vendor management. Our fractional AI director services UK packages offer three flexible tiers designed for SMEs and councils—from £3,500/month.
Contact: 07973 210895 | simon@ai-si.com
Board-level advisory & strategic planning
- Quarterly strategic planning sessions
- Board-level AI reporting & KPIs
- AI governance framework oversight
- Email & call support
- Access to executive resources
- Vendor contract reviews
Active implementation & hands-on delivery
- Everything in Strategic Tier, plus:
- Hands-on AI implementation support
- Team training & workshops
- Vendor management & negotiations
- Pilot programme design & execution
- Monthly progress reviews
Full fractional executive engagement
- Everything in Operational Tier, plus:
- Weekly strategic calls
- Comprehensive project delivery
- Full governance implementation
- Priority email/call response
- On-site visits (Birmingham/West Midlands)
Strategic AI Implementation
From initial AI maturity assessment through full implementation, Simon brings a proven methodology refined across dozens of UK organisations. Whether you’re starting your AI journey or optimising existing deployments, every engagement begins with understanding where you are and charting the fastest route to measurable value.
What Strategic AI Implementation Covers
- AI Readiness Audits: 48-hour assessment identifying quick wins and a strategic roadmap tailored to your governance requirements
- Vendor Selection: Procurement contract review, exploitation risk detection, and negotiation support — informed by real-world case studies across multiple sectors
- Build vs Buy Analysis: Cost-benefit modelling, ROI projections, risk assessment
- Legacy Integration: Making AI work with 20-year-old infrastructure and outdated systems
- Pilot Programmes: 90-day proof-of-value sprints with clear success criteria and executive reporting
- Data Strategy First: Quality audits, governance frameworks, master data management before AI deployment
AI Governance & Risk Management
With a background in digital forensics and cyber security, Simon takes a security-first approach to AI governance. Every framework is designed to meet current UK regulatory requirements whilst preparing your organisation for the evolving landscape of the EU AI Act and emerging AI legislation.
Governance Framework Deliverables
- ISO 42001International standard for AI management systems. Framework for responsible AI development covering governance, risk, transparency, accountability. Implementation: AI management systems aligned to international standards
- UK GDPR Compliance: Following ICO guidanceICO guidance on AI and data protection. Covers lawfulness, fairness, transparency, data minimisation, accountability under UK GDPR. for AI data handling
- Security Protocols: Prompt injection attack prevention, data minimisation, access controls
- Bias Audits: Algorithmic fairness testing for Public Sector Equality Duty compliance
- FOI Compliance: Freedom of Information Act considerations for council AI systems
- Board Reporting: KPI dashboards, compliance documentation, audit trails
Staff Training & Culture
AI adoption fails without cultural buy-in. Simon’s training programmes are designed for real people—not technologists. From boardroom briefings to hands-on prompt engineering workshops, every session is tailored to your team’s skill level, reducing fear and building genuine AI confidence across your organisation.
Training Programme Components
- Hands-on AI literacy training
- Prompt engineering workshops
- Automation workflow design
- Fear reduction: “AI enhances, doesn’t replace”
- AI champion identification
- Change management strategies
- Vibe-coding training (building apps with AI)
- Acceptable use policy development
Revenue & Efficiency
Every AI initiative must demonstrate clear financial return. Simon’s approach focuses on identifying revenue opportunities, reducing operational costs, and building sustainable efficiency gains that compound over time. Real numbers, not theoretical projections.
Revenue & Efficiency Outcomes
- Funding opportunity identification
- Market analysis & competitive positioning
- Process automation (60%+ time savings)
- Alternative revenue stream discovery
- Budget optimisation reviews
- Cost avoidance strategies
- ROI measurement & attribution
- Hidden inefficiency detection
Results: £2.1M revenue identified, 43% cost reductions
What’s Included (All Tiers)
Regardless of which tier you choose, every engagement with Simon Steggles includes a comprehensive set of deliverables designed to embed AI capability within your organisation for the long term.
Core Deliverables Across All Tiers
- Board-level reporting dashboards
- Compliance documentation
- Email & call support
- Executive resource access
- Vendor contract reviews
- Security audits
- Crisis response protocols
- Exit strategy planning
Response time: 4 hours or less guaranteed
Procurement-Ready
Designed to move quickly through public sector and SME procurement processes. All the information your finance or legal team needs, upfront.
- Contract structure: Limited company service agreement, plain-English terms, monthly rolling with 30-day exit clause. No lock-in.
- IR35 status: Outside IR35 for private sector engagements. Public sector clients use a Statement of Work model.
- Data Processing: A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is provided as standard for all engagements involving personal or sensitive data. UK GDPR compliant.
- Insurance: Professional indemnity and public liability insurance in place. Certificates available on request.
- Security posture: Background in digital forensics and cyber security. DBS check and NDA available before engagement commences.
- Exit plan: Every engagement includes a documented handover and knowledge transfer process — you own everything built, no vendor lock-in.
What Success Looks Like in 90 Days
Measurable outcomes, not activity metrics. Here is what each tier typically delivers in the first 90 days.
Strategic Tier (Board Cadence)
- AI maturity assessment completed and board-ready report delivered
- Governance framework draft in place (policies, acceptable use, risk register)
- 3 to 5 quick-win opportunities identified with ROI estimates
- Vendor contracts reviewed, exploitation risks flagged
Operational Tier (Delivery Sprints)
- At least one pilot automation running and measurable
- Staff training delivered to first cohort (board or SMT)
- Process cycle time reduction evidenced (target: 30 to 60%)
- Monthly progress dashboard established for reporting
Enterprise Tier (Programme Ownership)
- Full AI roadmap signed off at board level
- Multiple workstreams running in parallel
- ROI tracking framework live with baseline data
- Internal AI champion(s) identified and in training
What’s Included in Each Tier — Side by Side
Every tier includes board-level accountability. No hidden extras.
| What you get | ⭐ Strategic £3,500/mo |
Operational £5,500/mo |
️ Enterprise £8,500/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours & Availability | |||
| Monthly hours | 2–4 hrs | 8–12 hrs | 16–20 hrs |
| Email & call support | |||
| Same-week response | |||
| Strategy & Planning | |||
| AI maturity assessment | |||
| Board-ready strategic roadmap | |||
| Quick-win identification | 3–5 | 5–10 | Unlimited |
| Quarterly strategic review | |||
| Governance & Compliance | |||
| ISO 42001 alignment | Framework | Full | Full |
| Governance policy drafting | |||
| Vendor contract review | |||
| Board compliance dashboards | |||
| Prompt injection audit | |||
| Implementation & Training | |||
| Staff AI literacy training | |||
| Pilot automation build | |||
| Vendor management | |||
| Full programme ownership | |||
| Dedicated Slack/Teams channel | |||
Quick ROI Estimate
How much is manual process waste costing your organisation?
Your situation
Your estimated savings
Estimate only. Based on typical AI automation rates for repetitive tasks. Full ROI framework →
What You Get in the First 30 Days
Immediate, measurable outputs — regardless of which tier you start on
- AI maturity assessment delivered
- Board-ready strategic roadmap
- 3–5 quick wins identified with ROI estimates
- Governance policy draft
- Vendor risk briefing
- Everything in Strategic, plus:
- First pilot automation scoped & started
- Staff AI literacy session delivered
- ISO 42001 alignment begun
- Vendor shortlist with scored scorecard
- Everything in Operational, plus:
- Executive team onboarding & alignment
- Dedicated comms channel live
- Full programme plan & KPI dashboard
- First board report delivered
Working with UK Local Councils
Councils face unique AI challenges — PSED obligations, FOI-defensible procurement, democratic accountability, and limited internal AI expertise. I provide board-level AI oversight specifically designed for the public sector at 70% less than Big 4 consultancies.
Proven outcome: £300K+ saved for one council department + £480K additional funding unlocked. Zero GDPR breaches across all deployments.
Council AI Strategy Page →Service FAQ
People Also Ask
How much does a Fractional AI Director cost in the UK?
AI-Si Fractional AI Director services range from £3,500/month (Strategic Tier, 2–4 hours) to £8,500/month (Enterprise Tier, 16–20 hours). This is 60–85% less than a full-time Chief AI Officer at £150K–£300K per year, with no recruitment cost, benefits overhead, or 3-month ramp-up period.
What is the difference between a Fractional AI Director and an AI consultant?
A consultant delivers a report and exits. A Fractional AI Director embeds at board level, builds working systems, trains staff, manages vendors, and stays accountable until results materialise. See Simon's full profile and proven case study results.
Can a Fractional AI Director work with UK local councils?
Yes. AI-Si provides specialist AI strategy for local councils including procurement-compliant contracts, Freedom of Information Act compliance, Public Sector Equality Duty frameworks, and democratic accountability governance.
AI-Si vs Alternatives
| AI-Si | Big 4 | Full-Time CAIO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | £3.5K–£8.5K | £15K–£50K+ | £12K–£25K |
| Time to Value | Day 1 | 3–6 months | 3–6 months |
| Builds Systems | Yes | Reports only | Varies |
| Contract Lock-in | None | 12–24 months | Employment |
| Council Work | Specialist | Generic | Rare |
| Security Clearance | Cat 3 PV | Varies | Varies |
Big 4 estimates based on published day rates. Full-time CAIO salary range £150K–£300K/year.
What is AI governance and why does it matter for UK SMEs?
AI governance is the set of policies, frameworks, and accountability structures that ensure AI systems operate safely, legally, and ethically. For UK SMEs, it matters because ungoverned AI deployments expose organisations to UK GDPR breaches, ICO enforcement action, reputational damage from algorithmic bias, and vendor lock-in risk. A governance framework built to ISO 42001 standards provides a systematic approach to managing these risks while enabling faster, more confident AI adoption.
How long does an AI implementation typically take?
Using the 5-phase methodology, the first working prototype is typically live within 21 days of engagement start. A full pilot programme with measurable ROI runs over 90 days. Enterprise-wide AI programmes spanning multiple departments or systems are phased over 3–12 months depending on organisational complexity, data quality, and change management requirements. Unlike Big 4 consultancies who spend months on strategy documents, implementation begins in week one.
Can AI replace staff — and how do you manage that fear?
In most UK SME and council contexts, AI enhances roles rather than eliminates them — automating repetitive tasks so staff can focus on higher-value work. Managing fear is a core part of every engagement: staff training frames AI as a professional skill, not a threat. Every training programme includes change management, AI champion identification, and an acceptable use policy. See the AI training approach →
What AI tools and platforms does a Fractional AI Director typically deploy?
Deployments are vendor-neutral and organisation-specific. Common platforms include Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI APIs, automation tools such as Make and Zapier, and sector-specific AI applications. Every vendor recommendation follows a procurement contract review to detect exploitation risks and hidden costs. The emphasis is always on tools your team can own and operate independently — with built-in exit strategies so there is no vendor lock-in after the engagement ends.
Ready to Transform Your Organisation with AI?
Whether you need a full AI strategy, governance framework, or staff training programme, Simon Steggles offers fractional AI director services UK-wide, bringing board-level AI expertise at a fraction of the cost of the Big 4. Let's discuss how fractional AI leadership can drive measurable results for your organisation.
BOOK YOUR FREE AI STRATEGY DISCUSSION NOW