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CIO &  Transformation

CIO Services for Private Equity Technology Diligence

Why Hire a Fractional CIO or Interim CIO?

Hiring a fractional or interim CIO gives your business instant access to strategic, senior-level IT leadership. Whether you're a fast-scaling business or a Private Equity portfolio company, the benefits are tangible:

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  • Immediate board-level expertise to steer IT direction

  • Substantial cost savings versus a full-time CIO appointment

  • Rapid deployment for turnaround or growth initiatives

  • Independent, vendor-neutral guidance

  • Hands-on leadership delivering transformation from day one

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Richard Keenlyside has delivered technology leadership for dozens of complex, multi-sector transformations. He aligns IT strategy to business goals, ensuring digital investment creates real, measurable value.

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Services Offered

IT & Technology Due Diligence

  • Pre-deal or post-deal, Richard leads IT due diligence efforts for Private Equity and M&A scenarios. From software architecture reviews to cyber risk assessments, he ensures technology investments are sound and scalable.

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Value-Creation Post-Deal

  • After acquisition, Richard creates value through systems integration, ERP rationalisation, and cloud migration strategies. He develops roadmaps that support EBITDA growth and operational excellence.

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Digital Transformation & IT Strategy

  • From defining digital operating models to leading full cloud, ERP, or RPA rollouts, Richard provides strategic leadership and programme oversight across sectors like retail, manufacturing, logistics, and financial services.

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IT Governance & Cyber Security

  • With expertise in GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC outsourcing, and internal controls, Richard sets up board-ready IT governance structures that support compliance and mitigate operational risk.

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Interim Leadership

  • As an interim CIO, Richard steps into transitional or crisis situations with immediate effect. He stabilises operations, leads transformation, and builds high-performing IT functions that support long-term growth.

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Real-World Impact

Mid-Market Manufacturer (Private Equity-Backed)

  • Led cloud migration and IT consolidation across 4 countries. Achieved £2m reduction in technical debt within 8 months and introduced global IT governance.

Retail & eCommerce Brand (PE-Backed)

  • Delivered NetSuite rollout across 3 continents, replacing legacy systems and aligning global finance, supply chain, and HR operations. Reduced tech operating costs by £2.5m per year.

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Family-Owned Food Producer

  • Defined IT strategy, delivered AI-enabled chatbots and ecommerce platform migration. Achieved a 29% reduction in late invoice payments and added £1.4m in turnover via tech-enhanced delivery.

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Fractional CIO vs Consultant vs Full-Time CIO

A fractional CIO differs from consultants and full-time hires:

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  • Fractional CIO: Embedded leadership with execution responsibility

  • Consultant: Offers advice, rarely executes

  • Full-Time CIO: High cost and permanent

 

Fractional CIOs are ideal when leadership is needed without long-term commitment. Richard Keenlyside acts as both strategist and executor, bringing transformation experience to bear from day one.

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When to Engage a Fractional CIO

  • During M&A preparation or integration

  • When scaling operations and needing enterprise-grade IT

  • To reduce technical debt or modernise legacy infrastructure

  • Launching digital initiatives like ERP, CRM, data analytics

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How It Works

  1. Discovery & Assessment: Understand your business, systems and needs

  2. Strategic Roadmap: Define clear technology vision aligned to business goals

  3. Execution: Lead teams, vendors and stakeholders to deliver results

  4. Governance & Review: Measure value delivered, optimise continuously
     


About Richard Keenlyside

Richard Keenlyside is a highly experienced CIO and IT Transformation Director, known for his pragmatic and results-oriented leadership. With over three decades in global IT roles across retail, manufacturing, utilities, and Private Equity-backed firms, he blends strategic oversight with hands-on execution.

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He has served as CIO for multi-nationals, advised numerous PE firms on M&A technology, and authored papers on AI, cyber security and digital transformation. Richard brings a rare combination of board-level credibility and technical depth.

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Fractional CIO | Interim CIO | IT & Digital Transformation Director – Richard Keenlyside

Fractional CIO • Interim CIO • IT Transformation Director

Delivering board-level technology leadership for Private Equity-backed businesses, mid-market firms, and family-owned enterprises. Richard Keenlyside brings over 30 years of proven experience in technology strategy, digital transformation, and enterprise IT, offering cost-effective, results-driven leadership without the full-time overhead.

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