Discover the story of Alexej Pikovsky, London-based entrepreneur and founder of the Fractional CFO Collective, an initiative that is redefining the role of financial leaders in the startup era.
Startups are born and die at a dizzying pace. Money is no longer just numbers — it’s oxygen. For founders, a CFO can mean the difference between life and death for an idea. But what do you do when you don’t have the resources to hire a full-time CFO? This is where the fractional CFO model comes in — and in London, one of the names that brought it to the forefront is Alexej Pikovsky.
A Classic Start, A Bold Pivot
Alexej didn’t set out to reinvent the financial role. His career began in a traditional way: a strong education, followed by experience in investment banking and private equity, working with companies in energy, technology, and healthcare. He quickly learned how markets operate, how deals are negotiated, and how to build complex financial models.
But after a few years, he realized that the energy of the entire ecosystem was shifting toward startups.
“I saw extraordinary founders hitting a wall when it came to finance. They lacked structure, they didn’t know how to speak the language of investors, and sometimes they didn’t even understand what their real cash flow looked like.”
From Consultant to Collective Founder
That’s how the idea for Fractional CFO Collective was born — a network of experienced CFOs available to work part-time with startups and scale-ups.
“I wanted to build a bridge. Founders need a CFO but can’t afford one full-time in the early stages. Senior CFOs want to work flexibly and apply their expertise in different contexts. The Collective brings them together.”
Today, Alexej’s platform lists dozens of fractional CFOs in London and beyond, each with different specializations: fintech, healthtech, SaaS, consumer goods.
What a Fractional CFO Actually Does
Contrary to the myth, a CFO is not just a glorified accountant. In the fractional model, the role becomes even more strategic:
- Financial modeling for investors – “If you want to raise a seed or Series A round, you must present your numbers in a way that inspires confidence.”
- Cash flow control – “Most startups don’t die because they lack customers — they die because they run out of cash.”
- Structuring the finance function – “From zero processes to a system that can support growth.”
- Mediating between founders and investors – “Sometimes, the CFO is the one who translates enthusiasm into realism — and vice versa.”
Alexej’s Philosophy
For Alexej, the role of a fractional CFO is not secondary — it’s central.
“A fractional CFO is not just a temporary consultant. They are part of the team, even if only two days a week. They are there to build and leave something lasting.”
In fact, he wrote on his blog that “the future CFO will be fractional by default.” The argument is simple: the startup market cannot sustain £200,000-a-year CFO salaries, but it desperately needs their expertise.
Examples of Impact
A London fintech startup turned to the Fractional CFO Collective to prepare for a funding round.
“We stepped in, rebuilt the financial model, created a robust pitch deck, and trained the founders for investor questions. They successfully raised £3 million.”
Another example: a healthtech company was facing cash flow problems and risked being unable to pay salaries.
“Our CFO immediately implemented a weekly forecasting system and renegotiated supplier terms. Within three months, the company stabilized its position.”
How He Sees the UK Market
Alexej observes an explosion of interest in fractional leadership in the UK. Data shows that thousands of professionals now list titles like “Fractional CFO” or “Fractional CMO” on LinkedIn.
“We’re only at the beginning. I believe that in 5–10 years, it will be normal for a startup’s board to be made up almost entirely of fractional leaders.”
London, with its density of startups and VC funds, is the perfect place for this shift.
“You have the demand, you have the supply, and you have the infrastructure. All that was missing was the framework — and that’s what we’re trying to build with the Collective.”
The Challenges of a New Model
Not everyone is convinced.
“Some investors still view the idea of a fractional CFO with skepticism. They ask: is this person involved enough? Do they truly care about the company? I believe these concerns disappear quickly once you see the results.”
Another challenge is managing balance.
“As a fractional CFO, you might work with three or four companies simultaneously. That’s an advantage, but also a risk. You have to be very disciplined and set clear boundaries.”
The Future of Fractional CFO Collective
Alexej’s plans don’t stop in London.
“We want to build a European network — so you can be a founder in Paris and find a fractional CFO from London, or be a healthtech company in Berlin and access UK expertise.”
For him, fractional is not just a work model — it’s a philosophy:
“It’s about sharing expertise where it’s needed most, without geographic or contractual barriers.”
The Voice of a New Generation of CFOs
Alexej Pikovsky is not just a consultant or an intermediary. He is one of the pioneers shaping a new reality: flexible, accessible, and startup-ready financial leadership.
Through the Fractional CFO Collective, he has created a community that helps companies survive and grow — and, at the same time, offers senior professionals a new career path.
“The CFO of the future will be fractional. And that’s not a secondary option — it’s the new normal we’re heading towards.”
