AI that actually works.
Not another strategy deck
You've invested in AI and the numbers haven't moved. I embed as your Fractional CTO to change that. From architecture through production.
The gap between AI investment and AI results
is where careers stall
The money is being spent. The pilots are running. The board slide has a roadmap. And the P&L hasn't moved.
You've invested in AI, and the numbers haven't moved
56% of CEOs say AI has delivered no significant benefits. 95% of GenAI pilots produce no measurable P&L impact. The problem isn't the technology. It's how it's being deployed.
The demo worked brilliantly. Production didn't
The gap between an AI demo and an AI system that runs unsupervised at scale is enormous. It's where most initiatives die. Bridging it requires someone who has done it before, not someone who's read about it.
Your employees are using AI tools you don't control
78% of employees are using unapproved AI tools. 38% are sharing confidential data through them. The EU AI Act enforcement begins August 2026. Shadow AI is your next audit finding. Or your next breach.
Not another consultant.
A builder who's sat in your seat
Most technology advisors have either the technical depth or the commercial experience. Rarely both. I've built production AI systems, led national-scale transformation, founded four companies, and exited all of them.
I implement, I don't just recommend
67% autonomous case resolution. 23% sales lift. £28M+ annual savings. These aren't projections. They're measured outcomes from systems I built and deployed.
Founder, CTO, board advisor
Four exits. VC-backed. Built to profitability. I've sat in every seat at the table. I understand what you're dealing with, not just the technical slice of it.
Fractional, not full-time cost
A seasoned CTO runs £200–350K/year plus equity. Fractional engagement gives you the same architecture decisions, hiring guidance, and board presence. Without the overhead or the hiring risk.
No vendor bias. No lock-in.
Operated across AWS, Azure, GCP, and open-source stacks. The recommendation is always what's right for your situation and budget, not what earns a referral fee.
Four ways to engage
From a quick diagnostic to a full transformation sprint to ongoing fractional CTO work. Pick the depth that fits.
Technical Due Diligence
Deep review of your stack, architecture, AI approach, and team. Delivered as an investor-ready technical assessment. The clearest way to know where you stand.
Fractional CTO
Architecture decisions, hiring guidance, investor updates, AI roadmap, and board presence. Senior technical leadership without the full-time hire.
AI Transformation Sprint
Audit your AI landscape, build the governance framework, deploy one system to production, and deliver a 90-day action plan with measured KPIs.
Board Advisory
Quarterly technology reviews, investor call prep, and a senior external voice for board credibility. An independent technical perspective when the stakes are high.
Proof, not promises
Agentic AI in Production
European insurance brokerage. Thousands of cases per month, inconsistent handling, no path to scale. Designed and deployed the agentic AI system that changed that. Sales KPIs up 23%.
AI Products. Commercial Impact
Four ventures built from zero, each centred on proprietary AI and deep tech products. Sold into defence, maritime, and enterprise. All four exited.
Defence-Grade Platform
Simulation and geospatial intelligence platforms for NATO and the UK Ministry of Defence. Led engineering at Improbable Defence. Production systems supporting real operations across allied nations.
Public Sector at Scale
Stepped in as Interim CTO at NHS Wales. Rebuilt the technology operation and redesigned digital services used by millions. The savings run rate has held ever since.
Expert Witness. Hong Kong High Court
Criminal case. 39 casualties. Wrote original data processing software that uncovered facts a 2-year Commission of Inquiry had missed. Helped save an innocent person from life in prison.
What actually changes
Client testimonials
"Talent like Rafal does not become available very often. If you are looking for a senior engineering manager, engineering director or even a CTO, I highly recommend that you give him a call."
"Rafal was everything an expert should be: enthusiastic, immensely knowledgeable, personable and totally reliable. I have no hesitation in giving him my unreserved recommendation."
"Rafal swiftly transformed the team dynamics, effectively improving previously low morale. His unique ability to win over his team's hearts and minds was amazing to watch."
"Rafal has always been personally committed to us as his valued customers. He made us feel this way! He will do his best to deliver and if possible exceed your expectations."
"Technically he is brilliant. He is able to balance the technology and the user needs very easily. Quality driven. Not satisfied until the product reaches the level of quality he expects."
"Rafal was subject to days of detailed cross examination by a leading Hong Kong SC backed by a tier one shipping law firm. He acquitted himself excellently in an extremely high profile case."
"Working with Rafal was an immense pleasure. I learnt not only about the complete software life-cycle but also how a successful business should be run."
"Rafal has a very high work rate, great integrity, and a real flair for innovative technical solutions."
Perspectives on AI & technology leadership
The training ladder is broken. And nobody has a plan to fix it
AI is reshaping the junior developer role, and with it, how the next generation of senior engineers gets built. The companies solv…
AI made developers 19% slower. Here's what they were doing wrong
The most rigorous study on AI coding tools found a surprising result. But the real insight isn't the headline — it's that the gap …
Why 80% of AI projects fail to deliver ROI, and what the 20% do differently
The AI projects that deliver real business impact share specific structural patterns. The technology works. The difference is in h…
Ready to make AI actually work?
Tell me what you're working on. I'll respond personally. If there's a fit, we'll take it from there.
Currently accepting one new client alongside existing commitments. Second slot opens Q3 2026.