The Portfolio Executives

Oliver Lythgoe

Oliver Lythgoe
  • Specialism: Fractional CMO – specialised in technical companies.
  • Track Record: Caterpillar, Arm, Fetis Group, Visionary.ai, Secondmind.
  • Offer: Marketing strategy, capacity building and execution for companies in deep engineering. These are companies who struggle to reach and communicate effectively with their highly technical audiences.
  • Oliver says: Marketing that speaks the language of engineers.”
  • Try me: https://www.cambridgetechnicalmarketing.com 
I chose to become a Portfolio Executive to have greater control over my time and focus – and to work on projects that genuinely interest me. I’m more motivated by challenge and curiosity than by financial reward. With financial stability and job security no longer driving factors, I’m now shaping a career that gives me the flexibility to scale back gradually in the coming years – ideally moving towards a sustainable rhythm of 2 to 3 days per week.

This journey started unexpectedly. After a major redundancy, two former colleagues reached out with opportunities – both international, both remote, and both outside conventional structures. I quickly realised that I could offer something valuable to international companies even if they do not have a UK base.

One of my first roles was as interim VP of Marketing for an Israeli AI company. I was recommended to them not just for my domain knowledge, but for my ability to operate independently and hit the ground running. Since then, I’ve specialised in helping international businesses navigate complex, technical markets – with a particular focus on building capability, not dependency.

What I’ve learned as a fractional leader – especially when working remotely and across cultures – is that my role often extends beyond execution. I’m expected to challenge, to reframe, and to help the organisation see itself differently. That requires clarity, confidence, and a collaborative mindset. It also requires investment in the team – building skills, confidence, and alignment even when you’re not in the room every day.

Remote, flexible work suits me. It lets me bring energy and focus where it’s needed most. I thrive on variety and complexity, and enjoy applying experience across different sectors, cultures, and technologies.

Looking ahead, I’m keen to grow my UK client base, particularly in and around the Cambridge tech ecosystem. My current main assignment involves significant travel and cultural navigation, and as the client team builds independence over the next couple of years, I plan to rebalance towards work that’s closer to home.

I’m a strong believer in networks and community — I play nicely with others, and I enjoy collaborating with fellow executives to solve complex client challenges. I’m active in several peer groups and always happy to share insights, connections, or just a sounding board.