Senior technology advice, on call
Retained Technology Advisor
A retained technology advisor is a senior technology executive available to a business on a small monthly retainer, typically a few hours a month plus quick access in between, to give an independent view on technology, AI, cyber security and transformation decisions before they are made.
It suits founders, CFOs, COOs and PE operating partners who need a practising operator on call but do not yet need a fractional CIO, CTO or CISO. Intology has no products, platforms or implementation work to sell, so the advice is about the decision, not the next sale.
- Rolling monthly
- One named advisor
- No vendor ties
01
What the retainer includes
Structured time each month
Quick reads between calls
Confidential and yours
Rolling monthly
02
What clients bring to the retainer
AI decisions
Cyber security calls
ERP and transformation
Senior technology hires
Deal questions
Board and investor papers
03
Who it suits
Founders of growing businesses
CFOs and COOs carrying technology
PE operating partners
In-house CIOs and Heads of IT
04
Retainer or fractional leadership?
| Retained technology advisor | Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO | |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Two hours a month plus quick reads | One to three days a week |
| Role | Independent advisor to the decision-makers | Member of the executive team who owns the agenda |
| Accountable for | The quality of the advice | Delivering the technology agenda |
| Best for | Decisions, second opinions and sense-checks | Owning strategy, the team and delivery |
Commitment
Retained technology advisor
Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO
Role
Retained technology advisor
Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO
Accountable for
Retained technology advisor
Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO
Best for
Retained technology advisor
Fractional CIO, CTO or CISO
If the retainer regularly needs more than its hours, we will say so and suggest the right shape of engagement. See Fractional and Interim CIO and the other leadership roles below.
05
An illustrative month
Every month is different. This is an illustration of how two hours plus quick reads are typically used.
Week 1
Week 1
An hour with the founder and CFO before the quarterly board, testing the technology and cyber slides.
Week 2
Week 2
Written comments on an ERP supplier proposal, and a quick read on a suspected phishing incident.
Week 3
Week 3
Thirty minutes in a final interview for a Head of Engineering, with a short note the same day.
Week 4
Week 4
A thirty-minute close: what landed, what is open and what to watch next month.
06
Who you work with
The retainer is held by Richard Keenlyside, Intology's founder, who has 34 years of board-level technology leadership across CIO, CTO, CISO and Transformation Director roles.
07
Related leadership roles
Fractional and Interim CIO
Enterprise IT, ERP, data and business systems
Fractional and Interim CTO
Product technology, platform and engineering
Fractional CISO and vCISO
Security strategy, risk and board reporting
Fractional Chief AI Officer
AI strategy, risk and value
Interim Transformation Director
Accountable for the business change outcome
What is a retained technology advisor?
A senior technology executive available on a small monthly retainer, a few hours a month plus quick access between calls, giving an independent view on technology, AI, cyber security and transformation decisions.
How is it different from a fractional CIO?
A fractional CIO joins the executive team one to three days a week and owns the technology agenda. A retained advisor advises the decision-makers and does not run the function.
How much time is included?
Two hours of structured time each month plus quick reads by email or messaging, with replies usually within one working day. Unused hours roll forward one month.
Is there a minimum term?
No. The retainer is rolling monthly with 30 days' notice on either side.
What does it cost?
A fixed monthly fee, agreed in writing before the retainer starts.
Can a PE operating partner use it across several portfolio companies?
Yes. It suits portfolio companies that need a known operator one call away but not a fractional CIO each.
Is the advice independent?
Yes. Intology sells no software, platforms or implementation services and holds no vendor partnerships.
Want a senior technology voice on call?
Tell us what decisions are coming up. We will tell you honestly whether a retainer, a fractional role or a one-off review is the right fit. The first conversation is confidential.