Delivery depends on heroics, not a reliable system.
Strategy sounds clear, but execution is fragmented.
Architecture debates stall progress and decisions don't stick.
Releases are risky, slow, or require weekends.
Teams are busy but throughput stays flat.
Ownership and accountability are unclear across product + engineering.
These problems usually show up as missed targets, delayed revenue, and rising delivery risk.
You get a clear bottleneck diagnosis, a practical plan, and momentum within weeks.
Example outcomes I've helped teams achieve
-80%
Lead time
from idea to production
Piña Vida: delivery system redesign + release process overhaul
+3-10x
Deploy frequency
per team
Piña Vida: ~4–5 releases/year → multiple releases/week (60–90 days focused effort; longer timeline due to stakeholder constraints)
-50%
Ops toil
incidents & handoffs
Nicer Group: reduced operational load and handoffs through platform and delivery improvements
+$10k+
Release savings
per release (historical)
Piña Vida: eliminated manual involvement in releases, reducing overhead and rework
Results vary by context; the fastest gains typically come from removing the primary constraint and simplifying the path to production.
Selected Work
Outcomes across agency, product, and platform contexts.
Piña Vida (Agency)
CTO
Turned multi-day, risky releases into multiple automated deploys per week. Renewed Cyber Essentials. Led UK & SA teams.
Release accelerationTeam leadershipGovernance
Nicer Group
Fractional CTO → Advisor
Guided EJS → Next.js migration and container-based architecture. Transitioned to exec advisor once the team was self-sufficient.
ModernizationPlatformCoaching
Drive eSource (Fleet SaaS)
Co‑founder & CTO
Designed procurement flows connecting FMCs and dealers. Built modular monolith (NestJS + React) and data integrations.
GreenfieldB2B SaaSIntegrations
Is this the right fit?
Not every engagement is a match. Here's how to know if we should talk.
This works best if…
You already have engineers.
Delivery has slowed despite 'doing the right things.'
Architecture debates or unclear ownership are stalling progress.
You want leverage and momentum, not more hands.
Probably not a fit if…
You're pre-PMF and still searching for the product.
You mainly need a dev agency or staff augmentation.
There's no appetite to change how decisions get made and work gets shipped.
Approach
A short, sharp start to build momentum—then right‑sized leadership to keep compounding.
Triage (1–2 hours)
Rapid read on constraints, risks, and opportunities. Align on outcomes and non‑goals. Decide if an Audit Sprint is warranted.
Audit Sprint (2–3 weeks)
Deep dive across product, platform, and people. Produce a crisp plan: decisions, sequencing, owners, and first 90‑day moves.
Lead & Enable (ongoing)
Fractional/Portfolio CTO, advisory retainer, or interim coverage. The aim is to make myself progressively less necessary.
Fractional CTO Services
Hands-on leadership paired with pragmatic engineering. No theatre. No cargo cults. Comprehensive tech strategy and modernization services for B2B SaaS companies.
Operating model & org design
Clarify ownership, flow, and interfaces. Make teams autonomous without going feral.
Architecture & modernization
Pragmatic rewrites, modular monoliths, and evolutionary architectures that ship now and scale later.
Platform & delivery
From CI/CD to observability. Cut cycle time, reduce risk, and raise deployment frequency.
Integrations & data
APIs, partner ecosystems, and data flows that unlock revenue.
Hiring & leadership
Right-size the team, uplevel leaders, and build a culture that compounds.
Simple, outcome‑oriented options. Pricing on request—flat monthly with clear scope.
Audit Sprint
2–3 weeks
Start here if you're unsure what's actually slowing delivery.
Exec interviews & system review
Key risks & decisions
90‑day plan & metrics
Fractional CTO
1–3 days/week
Start here if you need hands-on leadership to drive change and enable your team.
Hands‑on leadership
Outcome governance
Coach your leaders
Advisory Retainer
Async + office hours
Start here if you need lightweight support for decisions, reviews, and governance.
Decision sparring
Hiring & vendor review
Board‑ready updates
Interim CTO
Full‑time, short term
Start here if you need full-time stabilisation through a transition.
Stabilize & transition
Crisis/turnaround support
Exec & board alignment
About James Sperring
I'm a people‑focused technologist who helps B2B SaaS companies turn complexity into momentum. I've led UK and international teams, modernized legacy stacks, and built new B2B products from zero. I combine Theory of Constraints, Team Topologies, and pragmatic engineering to create systems that ship. As a fractional CTO, I specialize in constraint-informed delivery and tech strategy for high-growth companies.
Built modular monoliths that scale
Cut release risk & cost dramatically
Coached leaders to self‑sufficiency
Aligned execs on outcomes, not output
Specialties
Throughput vs valueConstraint mappingProduct/eng alignmentSensible governanceIntegrationsData flows
Based in the UK. Comfortable with US time zones and travel.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Fractional CTO and Portfolio CTO?
Fractional = embedded leadership 1–3 days/week. Portfolio = hands-on leadership across multiple companies with more advisory/enablement. We’ll pick what fits your risk, budget, and tempo.
How quickly can we start?
Discovery call → 1–2 hour triage → optional 2–3 week Audit Sprint. If urgent, I can step in as Interim CTO while we stabilize.
Where do you add the most value?
Ambitious teams with complexity: aligning execs on outcomes, simplifying architecture, and unblocking throughput without burning the team.
Do you replace my engineers or agency?
Usually no. I make them faster and happier by reducing friction and clarifying ownership. If hiring is needed, I’ll help scope and interview.
Ready to turn complexity into momentum?
Let’s triage your constraints and map the first 90 days.
