Bridging the AI gap in Technology Transformation
Empowering Business Transformation & AI Consulting Experience ON TAPThe best ResourceConsulting
Consulting that Matters
Empowering Businesses with Tailored AI Solutions
In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, making informed decisions is essential as past solutions may not address future needs. We provide expert leadership to guide companies in selecting tailored business solutions that align with their unique requirements, ensuring ethical AI integration. When implemented correctly, AI technology can significantly propel a business forward.
Get Your Company’s IT to Deliver Exactly What You Need
Don’t settle for subpar IT solutions that hinder your business. Many companies still use outdated applications, but it’s time to break free from the status quo and take charge with AI. We empower you to enhance your IT development and ensure practical application improvements. With our support, you can smoothly transition to efficient, future-proof AI solutions and leave behind legacy systems that limit your potential. Embrace innovation today.
Digital Change Hits the Road Running
Reorganising a business can be complex, especially with established relationships involved. Hiring third-party consultants can ease stress and discomfort, providing specialised knowledge and impartial insights that promote smoother transitions and positive outcomes. Trust these experts to help navigate the complexities of business transformation, where digital technologies reshape how you operate and deliver value to customers.
Vendor Management
Most vendor suppliers rely on marketing hype to showcase their products but what truly matters is identifying the technology that best fits your needs. That’s where unbiased consultants come in, offering their extensive experience and expertise who’ve worked both sides, to negotiate ensuring a successful tech refresh.
What’s Fractional Leadership
Fractional leadership is a vital force in today’s evolving business landscape, particularly for driving successful transformations in artificial intelligence implementation. By engaging fractional leaders, organisations gain specialised expertise without the need for full-time commitments, allowing them to swiftly adapt to technological advancements and market demands. These leaders bring extensive experience and fresh perspectives, helping companies navigate AI integration with confidence. Collaborating closely with C-Suite executives, they identify key areas where AI can deliver significant value and ensure alignment with organisational goals. The strength of fractional leadership lies in fostering collaboration and innovation, creating a culture that embraces change. With their insights, businesses can implement AI solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive strategic growth, unlocking the potential of AI for a successful future.
Why UAE Corporates Are Choosing Fractional Over Full-Time
The regional market is shifting. Boards are tired of disruption theatre and innovation buzzwords. They want results, accountability, and leaders who’ve already navigated these challenges, with the battle scars and war stories to advise appropriately.
‘Grey hair’ isn’t a liability – it’s a competitive advantage.
Experienced Fractional CIOs, CTOs, and Senior Transformation Directors bring proven capabilities to the table:
✓ Cross-industry perspective – Deep use-case knowledge spanning financial services, telecommunications, energy, and manufacturing
✓ Vendor neutrality – Unbiased technology selection free from hidden agendas and corporate politics
✓ Crisis-tested decision-making – Proven track record navigating post-pandemic pivots, legacy system collapses, and high-stakes boardroom pressure
✓ Cultural intelligence – Extensive exposure across UK, European, Middle Eastern, and African business dynamics
The Real Reason Transformation Programs Fail:
“Most large transformation and AI programmes don’t fail because the technology is wrong. They fail much earlier than one would think when confidence, governance, and commercial reality slip out of alignment.” — comments Craig Ashmole, Chief Transformation Officer, Straightalking Consulting.
As the Drive for AI Comes to the Fore, Are You Really Ready?
As businesses embark on their AI transitions, the integration of senior-level fractional resources serves as a crucial ally in navigating this increasingly intricate landscape. These highly experienced professionals possess a deep reservoir of knowledge and strategic insight, enabling organisations to effectively harness AI technologies while upholding a steadfast commitment to ethical practices and inclusivity.
By supplementing internal teams with these fractional leaders, companies not only ensure a smoother transition but also embrace diverse viewpoints.
This collaborative method does more than just ease the risks associated with AI implementation; it fosters a culture of accountability and progressive thinking, empowering businesses to flourish in an era marked by rapid technological advancements and change.
In this landscape, fractional leadership stands out as a strategic advantage and should be considered where business needs a steady hand considering all aspects to the organisation.
AI Intelligence
How Craig Ashmole can support your business!
With over 28 years driving corporate transformation and commercial growth across the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Craig has built his reputation on delivering results that matter: operational breakthroughs, multi-million-pound cost savings, and strategic technology pivots that position organisations for long-term success.
Craig Ashmole doesn’t just manage change, he architects it.
Having founded Straightalking Consulting in the UK in 2011 and now based in Dubai, UAE, Craig brings two decades of leadership across enterprise infrastructure programmes, some exceeding $100m spanning ~50 countries and 6,500+ locations. His delivery portfolio includes cloud transformation, data centre modernisation, telecommunications optimisation, and AI integration at scale.
Technology is only part of the story. Craig’s real strength lies in translating board-level objectives into technical delivery and back again. He ensures both sides understand what’s genuinely achievable versus wishful thinking, bridging the critical gap between IT capability and business strategy.
Core expertise includes:
- Enterprise-scale programme leadership and governance
- Vendor assessment, contract negotiation, and commercial structuring
- Stakeholder engagement across C-Suite, operations, and technical teams
- Multi-region transformation delivery with cultural and regulatory awareness
- AI implementation from proof-of-concept to production
- Legacy system modernisation and cloud migration strategies
- Cost optimisation and operational efficiency programmes
Craig’s deep understanding of European, Middle Eastern, and African business dynamics, combined with a proven track record in high-stakes transformation, makes him the go-to advisor for organisations seeking to strengthen their technology position and unlock sustainable growth.
Craig integrates technology, people, and processes to help organisations not just survive change, but thrive through it.
Craig Ashmole – Founder
Straightalking Consulting
Hot Topics
Artificial Intelligence | Fractional Services
Machine Learning – Generative AI – Fractional leadership – Ask
Infrastructure Transformation | Cloud Edge
Core Infrastructure – End-of-Life Support – SD-Wan – Done it
Ethical AI | Unified End-user-Computing
AI from ‘PoC’ to production, Leaders that lead – Lessons
Contact Centre Shared Services – Outsourcing
Options for Outsource, Insource, or Near Shore – Been there
Success
Business Change & Programme Leadership
What Good Programme Leadership Is All About:
1. What is Business Change and Programme Transformation?
It’s where strategic vision meets action, helping organisations navigate market shifts, technology disruption, and changing regulations. We reimagine processes, boost efficiency, and ensure every initiative advances your core goals.
2. Why does Programme Transformation Leadership matter?
Great leadership turns ambition into achievement. It delivers complex change on time, within budget, and aligned to strategy, while managing risk, keeping stakeholders engaged, and ensuring outcomes that drive real business value.
3. How do you approach transformation programmes?
We balance people, process, and technology equally. Through careful assessment and collaboration, we identify high-impact opportunities and create actionable roadmaps with your team, minimising disruption whilst maximising returns.
4. Which industries benefit most from transformation leadership?
Organisations facing complexity and constant change: financial services, energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing, where competitive advantage depends on evolving quickly and precisely.
5. How long does a typical transformation programme last?
It depends on scope. Focused initiatives may finish within months, while enterprise-wide transformation requires multi-year commitment. We tailor every programme to your strategic timeline.
6. How do you ensure successful outcomes?
Through strong governance, transparent communication, and real-time performance tracking. We stay agile, respond to emerging challenges, and remain focused on delivering measurable impact.
7. How does transformation leadership accelerate growth?
By streamlining operations, optimising resources, and building agility. This creates capacity for innovation, sharpens your competitive edge, and enables confident, rapid response to market opportunities.
How Fractional Leadership Works !
Why Businesses Should Consider Fractional CIOs and CTOs
In the dynamic and rapidly evolving Dubai market, businesses of all sizes face the ongoing challenge of aligning technology with strategic goals. This is where Fractional CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and Fractional CTOs (Chief Technology Officers) step into the spotlight.
Fractional CIO and CTO Essentials
Fractional CIOs and CTOs are senior-level technology executives hired on a flexible, part-time basis to provide expert guidance and strategic insight without the full-time executive commitment. Businesses gain immediate access to seasoned professionals who help them navigate digital transformations, technology governance, all at a fraction of the traditional cost.
“From my experience, the real power of fractional lies in their ability to immediately integrate into existing teams and deliver impactful results. As I’ve often advised. The benefit Fractional leaders bring having worked across diverse business models is invaluable. Engaging fractional technology leadership is not just smart; it’s essential for directional change, new ideas and competitiveness.”
The Bottom Line
Fractional CIOs and CTOs are not just an innovative option for the Dubai market; they are increasingly essential partners for sustainable growth and innovation.
If your organisation hasn’t considered fractional technology leadership yet, now might just be the perfect time. Reach out, connect with me on LinkedIn or request a meeting to discuss options.
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Location
Barsha Heights (TCOM),
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Trading Since 2011
Contact
- AI Transformation 91%
- Digital Programme Change 82%
- Telecoms & Operational Updates 58%