FRACTIONAL FOUNDER SERVICES

Affordable, hands-on support for creative, purpose driven founders

FFS! works alongside founders at the point where carrying it alone has begun to cost too much.

It’s practical support. Another person present in the work, able to take responsibility for what no longer fits comfortably on one pair of shoulders.

A Senior, flexible partner. Exactly when you need it

An ex-founder, and a project and operations director

I am Natalie Thumwood. I work alongside founders as a fractional partner.

I take on the work that keeps slipping. The tasks and projects that need proper attention to move the business forward.

Before that I was a global project lead for some of the world’s most famous brands

I spent many years leading complex work inside large creative agencies and in-house at brands, delivering global campaigns where clarity, judgment, and follow-through were not optional.

Just like having a co-founder without the equity grab

Marketing Campaign Management

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Funding Round Management

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Supplier Sourcing

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Growth Planning

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Strategic Project Oversight

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Marketing Campaign Management ✳︎ Funding Round Management ✳︎ Supplier Sourcing ✳︎ Growth Planning ✳︎ Strategic Project Oversight ✳︎

Sometimes the need is strategic - sometimes it is practical

Ideally you need somebody to manage your diary, send invoices whilst also able to oversee a large, complex marketing campaign

Senior support with no ego. Happy to cover the little stuff but with the experience and skills to manage the large, strategic needle-moving projects.

What matters is that the work gets done properly, and that you get space back to think, create, and lead.

Before FFS! I was a founder myself.

I built a luxury manufacturing business from the ground up.

I raised funding, led teams, managed supply chains and partnerships, and carried the responsibility of keeping the whole thing moving under sustained pressure - for 10 years.

I set up FFS! to offer founders the support that I wish I’d had

  • "Natalie transformed our creative offering, and more importantly our commercial practices: ultimately our profitability."

    Ben Whattam - Global Marketing Director, Bentley Motors

  • After only a 6-month engagement, she left us a better, more profitable agency and made our business better-equipped for growth.

    Doug Kessler - Co-founder, Creative Director - Velocity Partners

  • Natalie has a gentle, pragmatic, collaborative and warm character; she also has the balance of being extremely tenacious when required, and is not afraid to 'ruffle a few feathers' in order to keep chaos to a minimum.

    Brian Lloyd - Executive Creative Director - WARL

Some examples of projects I can take off your hands

  • Funding Round Delivery

    Strategy, scoping, planning, pitch deck creation, oversight of financial modelling, investor comms and management

  • Operations and Growth Planning

    Scaling plans, workflows, resourcing, capacity, streamlining, tech sourcing

  • Supplier and Partner Sourcing

    Sourcing, onbaording, bidding, negotiating rates, briefing, oversight and management.

  • Marketing Campaigns

    Strategy, resourcing from my extensive list of senior freelancers, creative development, SOW, budgets, timelines, production, delivery

  • Brand Development

    Strategy, project management, agency or freelance sourcing and managment, team building, toolkits, playbooks, TOV documents. Full brand stewardship service.

  • Social Media Strategy

    Content planning, creator and influencer management, scheduling, campaign rollout, performance tracking, platform optimisation, podcast research and production

  • Event Planning and Management

    Timeline planning, budget management, supplier sourcing, venue liaison, guest experience, run-of-show, team briefing, logistics oversight, post-event wrap-up.

  • Content Production

    Creative brief development, shoot planning, budget and timeline management, crew and talent sourcing, location scouting, call sheet creation, on-set management, logistics oversight, usage rights, post-production

  • General tasks that keep things running

    Managing diaries, booking travel, chasing and sending invoices, working with accountant on tax, P+L - whatever you and a co-founder would share between you.

Good solutions often start with a conversation.

How it works

Support that is designed to meet the moment you are in

It works in three clear steps.

We talk. You book the time you need. Then the work begins.

STEP 1

  • We start with a short conversation.

    Just the two of us, and whatever is currently sitting with you.

    This isn’t a pitch or a diagnosis.

    It’s a chance to talk things through with someone who understands the reality of building and running a business.

    By the end of the conversation, we’ll be clear on what’s stuck, what matters most, and whether it makes sense to work together.

STEP 2

  • If we decide to go ahead, we agree how much time is needed and the pace that feels right.

    You then book a set number of hours upfront, either as a one-off block or at a lower rate through a subscription.

    That time is reserved and protected.

    No overbooking. No dilution.

    Just focused attention on the work that needs to move.

    Scroll down to see options and prices.

STEP 3

  • Once your time is booked, we arrange a clear starting point.

    If you’re working on a defined project, I’ll brief directly with you and set out what I’ll deliver, when, and how we’ll work together. This becomes our shared reference, so there’s no ambiguity.

    From there, you can step back, knowing the work is in hand and doesn’t need managing from your side.

Begin here - it’s that simple

Light Support

Perfect for: Perfect for keeping things ticking over or perhaps a small project without a big deadline.

8 hours per week / 32 per month

Price: £40/hr

£1,280 per month

Book your time upfront, either by subscription or as a one-off block of hours

Subscribe and save on your monthly hours

Your time is scheduled in advance and kept just for you

Simple. Clear. Keeps things moving

Book by the hour

or save money and subscribe to a package

Steady Support - 16 hours per week Steady Support - 16 hours per week
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Steady Support

Perfect for: Perfect for keeping things moving generally plus strategic oversight of 1 or 2 lighter projects.

16 hours per week / 64 per month

Price: £38/hr

£2,432 per month

Deep Support

Perfect for: General admin and coordination, plus a deep project that needs consistent managing over time.

21 hours per week

Price: £35/hr

£2,940 per month

Book monthly - no subscription

If you prefer not to subscribe, you can still book a set number of hours upfront each month.

  • This option is priced at a higher hourly rate and works well for short-term or one-off support i.e. a large project.

  • Your time is still protected and scheduled in advance, and we agree the focus for the month before we begin.

  • Please ensure we have had a chat and I have confirmed I have these hours free for you.

Price: £45/hr - min 8 hours per week

Let’s talk before things slip further

FAQS

I hope these FAQs clear up any outstanding information you need.

If you’re still wondering about anything, we’ll sort it when we chat, or you can contact me below and I’ll get back to you asap.

  • Yes.

    The free 30-minute consultation is where we figure out what’s stuck, whether I’m the right person to help, and what you actually need.

    It’s relaxed, no pressure — but it’s essential. I only work with a few founders at a time, so I want to make sure we’re a good fit.

  • You will get a confirmation email with a link to my calender, so that you can set up a kick off meeting.

    After kick-off, I’ll be in touch within 48 hours with a clear plan and timeline, and we’ll take it from there.

  • This will be tricky.

    Once your project time is confirmed, it’s locked in. That helps me protect the space I’ve carved out for you and ensures every client gets the focused attention they need.

    It’s how we keep momentum, avoid rescheduling chaos, and get the thing done - on time and on budget!

  • Because it protects your time and mine.

    Upfront payment secures your slot and commits us both to the work.

    It stops things drifting, keeps the energy up, and helps me manage multiple projects in parallel without overlap or confusion.

    It also sets a clear start — and a clear finish.

    You are getting founder / C Suite level service and world-class project direction for a very good price - but payment upfront is how I can keep costs down and and keep all my clients’ projects driving forward.

  • Yes.

    You can add extra days when you book your package, or later if things evolve.

    You’ll be charged at your package’s discounted day rate, and I’ll integrate the time into your timeline wherever it will deliver the most impact.

  • I typically work Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm (UK time), across 2–3 projects at a time.

    You can message me via Slack or email — I aim to reply the same day, or the following morning if it comes in late.

    We will also have regular, weekly check-ins to keep you updated on my progress.

  • I keep things structured but simple. Here’s what to expect when we work together:

    Every project includes a Statement of Work (SOW) and a timing plan.These documents outline what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and what success looks like — so we’re aligned from the start.

    I work in four clear phases:

    Discover → Define → Develop → Deliver

    If the project involves third-party suppliers — such as designers, developers, or production partners — their costs are billed at the end of each phase, according to the agreed scope and estimate.

    The SOW and timing plan will also include a clear payment schedule, so everything stays on track and expectations are set.

  • Yes — always.

    I’ve worked on high-level partnerships for top agencies and brands for over 25 years.

    Confidentiality is baked into the way I work. If you’d like me to sign an NDA, just let me know.

More questions?

No worries - contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please do not use this form for sales and marketing, there will be no response.