Team Development and Leadership

IT should be part of your company’s growth engine. Your IT team and suppliers should help drive efficiency, service, and innovation.

But we meet many companies frustrated by the IT guys, who appear to talk a different language. They don’t understand what the business is really doing. They feel inconsistent and unreliable.

Sometimes CEOs just approach us because they are fed up with the ‘computer says: no’ attitude.

We direct IT teams

Many of our clients have an internal IT team who report to a non-IT specialist, for example the Finance Director or the Operations Director.

Sometimes there is also a small web design team, or a team who work on data or processes, and they may report into different execs. So there is no ‘joined-up thinking.’

Often these staff have been around for a long time. The business has grown up around them, and the Board are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Not surprisingly, we often find the IT team are equally frustrated. A dysfunctional pattern of behaviour has taken hold, and the result is going nowhere!

We are digital leaders and AI and systems specialists

All our people have spent their entire careers managing specialists and technical IT staff.

Often the ‘log jam’ clears quickly when our consultant—we call them ‘Principals’—arrives, as he or she is a technical expert, and also widely experienced in business.

The IT team feel they finally have someone with their perspective. But our Principal can also offer ‘translation services’ between the Board and technical types.

An honest assessment of your situation and needs

Our Principal will make an honest assessment of what the business has and needs in terms of staffing, insourcing, and outsourcing. Our Principal will talk frankly with the Board and recommend how to move forward.

In some cases, with careful management, the IT team can make progress, regain confidence, and enjoy their work again.

In other cases, they may simply not have the skills or qualities to do the job right. Our Principal will then agree on a plan with you and oversee the necessary steps to deal with this situation.

Below are some relevant briefings, posts, videos and stories from our clients.

All written in plain-English and suitable for CEOs and Board members.

Our Principals

Meet the UK's most experienced team of CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors who deliver technology strategies that help mid-markets business...

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Client Stories

We are trusted technology strategy providers for CEOs of mid-market businesses. Read our client case studies to find out more...

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Turning Techies into IT Leaders: Mentoring Masterclass

Turning Techies into IT Leaders: Mentoring Masterclass

Many IT managers are talented, passionate, and hardworking, but they struggle to assume a real leadership role in a business....

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Business Insight
CIO vs CTO: What’s the difference?

CIO vs CTO: What’s the difference?

It is quite easy to assume that a Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the same thing as a Chief Technology...

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Business Insight

Business insights

We have a wide range of experience in delivering business-focus and mid-market IT strategies that will help your business grow...

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Page

CIOs, CTOs & CISOs

When do I need a CIO, CTO, or CISO? And how do I find the right one?

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Knowledge Centre
What Do You Love Most About Your Role at Freeman Clarke?

What Do You Love Most About Your Role at Freeman Clarke?

We get together every 6 months at our Freeman Clarke Conference to share ideas, experiences and knowledge and to let...

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Business Insight
Using software robots to eliminate admin – really?

Using software robots to eliminate admin – really?

The consultancy, McKinsey, claim that 60% of jobs could have 30% or more of their constituent activities automated. Forrester (a...

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How Can a Mid-Market Business Recruit a CTO?

How Can a Mid-Market Business Recruit a CTO?

Ambitious mid-market or externally funded start-up businesses are increasingly investing in custom software. Very simply they want to seize new...

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Introduction to office automation with software robots

Introduction to office automation with software robots

Look around an office and you will see plenty of people whose main work is dealing with systems and information....

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Hiring a CTO: What are the 6 Must-Haves?

Hiring a CTO: What are the 6 Must-Haves?

We hire more CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors than any other organisation in the UK, and we are often asked...

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Software robots, revolutionary new technology automating admin tasks?

Software robots, revolutionary new technology automating admin tasks?

Look around an office and you will see plenty of people whose main work is dealing with systems and information....

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Infographic: The 6 must-haves for hiring ‘simply the best’ CTO!

Infographic: The 6 must-haves for hiring ‘simply the best’ CTO!

Only the sharpest applicants make the Freeman Clarke cut. They posses an enviable range of talents that make them 'simply...

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What does it take to stay at the top of our game?

What does it take to stay at the top of our game?

People are the most important part of any business. We run conferences where we hear from expert speakers and run...

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Cyber, legal, compliance … How a CEO can sleep soundly

Cyber, legal, compliance … How a CEO can sleep soundly

It is not an exaggeration to say that most days we meet companies who have been hacked, their reputations damaged,...

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Why CTOs are on the rise in mid-market businesses

Why CTOs are on the rise in mid-market businesses

Many of our clients are using custom software and digital initiatives to drive sales, increase efficiency or improve service. Sometimes...

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Who are Freeman Clarke?

Who are Freeman Clarke?

We are the UK's largest and most experienced team of CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors and work exclusively in the...

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What Does a Fractional CTO Really Do for a Mid-Market Business? Plus 5 Tips to Make It Work

What Does a Fractional CTO Really Do for a Mid-Market Business? Plus 5 Tips to Make It Work

The use of fractional Board-execs in mid-market businesses is growing. More companies see and hear stories of successful engagements, more...

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Board action plan: 10 ways to begin your digital transformation journey

Board action plan: 10 ways to begin your digital transformation journey

Ambitious business owners will always look to improve how their organisation functions. Digital transformation is one great way. It enables...

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The benefits of working with a great team of CIOs, CTOs, and IT directors

The benefits of working with a great team of CIOs, CTOs, and IT directors

During our recent Freeman Clarke conference we talked to a few of our Principals and Regional Directors about the benefits...

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Business Insight
Technology strategy and vision

Technology strategy and vision

Companies that have a clear business strategy need a system and digital strategy to match. Each function of an ambitious...

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How to make home working work

How to make home working work

Many of our clients want to explore opportunities for home working. They have two main drivers: 1. reduce office costs...

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How does a Freeman Clarke IT leader add value every day?

How does a Freeman Clarke IT leader add value every day?

At our recent conference we asked a few of our Principals how they see themselves adding value to their clients....

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Custom software & digital

Custom software & digital

Custom software is an opportunity to build real competitive advantage, making your business unique and adding business value. But custom...

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COVID 19: Urgent operational challenges from some of our clients

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For every business, the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge to the wellbeing and safety of their people. For some businesses...

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Don’t get left behind. Start your Digital Transformation journey.

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Ambitious business owners will always look to improve how their organisation functions. Digital transformation is one great way. It enables...

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CEO’s briefing: Technology roadmap for growth

CEO’s briefing: Technology roadmap for growth

As companies grow, their IT inevitably needs to change and develop. In reality, few companies follow a well planned path,...

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Business Insight

Immunocore

'The IT leader's ability to pick up on our industry's complex technology, combined with his capabilities, resulted in Immunocore being in a stronger, more secure IT environment' Read more

Client story

Sterling

'Freeman Clarke have been instrumental in implementing industry best practices around the management, support and financial management of the IT function' Read more

Client story

Turnaround Publisher Services

'Freeman Clarke have overhauled our purchase order system, is driving down costs wherever possible, and is raising efficiency through process improvements, dragging us into the 21st century' Read more

Client story
GDPR Essentials: The Impact on IT, Legal and Marketing for Your Business

GDPR Essentials: The Impact on IT, Legal and Marketing for Your Business

GDPR – the EU General Data Protection Regulation – is among the biggest legislative changes to hit UK businesses in...

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Business Insight
When Nature gets angry, are you ready?

When Nature gets angry, are you ready?

This is what Datchet looks like at the moment. One of our clients, comxo, has an office in Datchet, fortunately...

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7 Key Points When Hiring a CIO, CTO or IT Director

7 Key Points When Hiring a CIO, CTO or IT Director

The IT leader is a critical role. But what is this role and how do you hire the best at...

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Minimising the phishing threat: A CEO’s checklist

Minimising the phishing threat: A CEO’s checklist

To download, save or print this Infographic, click here Freeman Clarke is the largest and most experienced team of part-time,...

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6 Common IT Budget Blunders

6 Common IT Budget Blunders

1. No agreed IT strategy or plans No IT strategy means 'the IT guys' will come up with a new...

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Hiring an Interim IT Director, Interim CIO or Interim CTO

Hiring an Interim IT Director, Interim CIO or Interim CTO

Hiring an interim IT Director, Interim CIO or Interim CTO is made more difficult when IT is not an area of...

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How to get Your Business Past Email

How to get Your Business Past Email

We’re all overwhelmed by email and looking for alternatives - many businesses are interested in collaboration and social tools to...

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Work Life Balance for Top IT Leaders

Work Life Balance for Top IT Leaders

If you’ve got to the top in IT, the chances are that a lot of dedication and hard work got...

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2017 Employment Law Update

2017 Employment Law Update

Here’s an article by Angela McDonald, HR Director at People Puzzles, a very close partner of ours… With so many changes...

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Fintech Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)

Fintech Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)

In any Fintech company the CTO (Chief Technology Office) has a crucial role and finding the right person is a...

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Four key steps to successfully managing IT suppliers

Four key steps to successfully managing IT suppliers

The IT Suppliers you use in your business are a critical component to your success. Like any other team though,...

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Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic

Businesses will be facing tough challenges over the months. Here is our best advice on mixing remote with office work...

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Knowledge Centre
GDPR Mindset and Culture: A Short Note for the Board

GDPR Mindset and Culture: A Short Note for the Board

Original article written by Trupti Harding-Shah of My Inhouse Lawyer, www.myinhouselawyer.uk In her video address yesterday, marking the one-year countdown...

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A CEO’s briefing: Solving systems integration problems

A CEO’s briefing: Solving systems integration problems

IT and Systems Integration problems can make a simple business feel complicated. Whether its the CRM system, Finance System, a...

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The Hazards of Scaling Up Your Business (and How to Avoid Them)

The Hazards of Scaling Up Your Business (and How to Avoid Them)

Imagine this: the co-founder of a multi-million-dollar HR management software company with almost 500 employees likes to micromanage to the...

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Technology fire triangle – Part 3: Compliance

Technology fire triangle – Part 3: Compliance

Successful businesses are worth protecting. But it is very difficult to strike the balance between investing in the success of...

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Interim CIO – What is the best way to hire one?

Interim CIO – What is the best way to hire one?

Companies often contact us because they want to hire an Interim Chief Information Officer (interim CIO) and they are looking...

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Giving Back

Giving Back

Our Principals consistently tell us when they join that one reason they  got out of a corporate environment and have...

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Real-World Advice to the Board About Meltdown and Spectre

Real-World Advice to the Board About Meltdown and Spectre

Another week and another story about malware, this time the attacks are called Meltdown and Spectre. These weaknesses are particularly...

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Getting the Benefits of BYOD

Getting the Benefits of BYOD

Many staff use their technology routinely for work, a trend that’s called Bring your Own Device (BYOD). For example, most...

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COVID-19: A Message from our Co-founder Graeme Freeman

COVID-19: A Message from our Co-founder Graeme Freeman

  Visit our Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic Knowledge Centre which includes all content related to this topic. Freeman Clarke is the largest and...

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COVID-19: Delivering effective homeworking

COVID-19: Delivering effective homeworking

  Visit our Hybrid Working & Post-Pandemic Knowledge Centre which includes all content related to this topic. Freeman Clarke is the largest and...

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Business Insight
Even for Visa It’s Hard to Get Disaster Recovery Right, Can You?

Even for Visa It’s Hard to Get Disaster Recovery Right, Can You?

The recent Visa systems outage brings disaster planning into sharp focus. A simple hardware failure brought chaos to shoppers across...

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Working with Wise (Wo)men

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It’s on Twelfth Night, or Epiphany – that many Christians celebrate the wise men arriving at the nativity scene. We...

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Knowledge Centres

 

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Graeme Freeman
Co-Founder and Director

Subscribe to our Business Insights

Plain English board-level briefings focused on technology strategies to deliver competitive advantage and business success.

* Please enter an email address
newnewsletterrecipient

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you.

You’ll now receive regular expert business insights.

Call us on 0203 020 1864 with any questions.

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