Market Insight

Interim CIO Day Rates UK 2026: What to Budget and What to Expect

Interim CIO day rates in the UK range from £900 to £2,200 per day in 2026. Here’s the benchmark, and how to ensure you get the value you’re paying for.

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Where Businesses Get Stuck

The challenges we most commonly see when organisations come to us:

You need an interim CIO quickly and have no idea what they cost.
You’re about to go into a negotiation without a benchmark.

Our Methodology

The Interim CIO Rate Benchmark Model: by sector, experience, programme complexity, and contract length.

What Starkhorn Brings

ExecCapital publishes CEO salary benchmarks. Nobody publishes interim CIO day rates. Starkhorn owns this.

Starkhorn does not subcontract or use associate networks. You work directly with Daniel Jacobs from the first conversation through to delivery.

Who This Is For

This service is designed for:

PE operating partners
and HR directors hiring interim technology leaders

This is not the right fit for: Businesses looking for fractional (part-time) arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can Starkhorn begin?

In most cases we can begin within five to ten working days. For urgent situations such as a sudden leadership gap or an active incident, we can mobilise faster. Contact us to discuss your timeline.

What does a typical Starkhorn engagement cost?

Engagements are structured as monthly retainers or fixed-term day-rate assignments. The cost depends on scope and time commitment. We are transparent about pricing from the first conversation and will give you a clear indication on the call.

What experience does Starkhorn bring?

Starkhorn is led by Daniel Jacobs, with 20+ years in technology and security, 15+ of them in leadership roles. He has served as Interim Group Technology Director at VetPartners (BC Partners-backed, GBP1.2bn), accountable for both technology and security, and as CIO and CISO at Jardine Motors Group (GBP2bn turnover). He holds PRINCE2, ITIL Foundation, and is a Full Member of the Institute of Interim Management.

How long does an interim engagement typically last?

Most interim technology leadership engagements run from three to twelve months. Some are shorter, focused on a specific crisis or transition. Others extend as organisations find ongoing value. We structure engagements flexibly so you are never locked in longer than makes sense.

What is the first step to working with Starkhorn?

Book a no-obligation conversation using the link on this page. In 30 minutes we will understand your situation, tell you honestly whether we are the right fit, and outline what a first engagement would look like. There is no sales process and no pressure.

Next step

Ready to Talk?

Starkhorn works with MDs, CEOs, and boards of growing businesses. If you have a technology leadership gap, a security concern, or a transformation that is not delivering, we can help. Book a 30-minute conversation with no obligation.