The Portfolio Executives opens free fractional executive programme as UK redundancies rise

The Portfolio Executives has opened registration for a free programme aimed at senior leaders shifting into fractional and portfolio careers as UK redundancy warnings hit a five-year high. The move comes as job cuts rise, vacancies soften and more executive roles mention fractional work.

Why it matters: - UK senior leaders are facing a tougher job market as redundancy warnings climb and vacancies weaken. - The shift is pushing more experienced executives to consider portfolio careers that spread income across multiple part-time leadership roles. - The trend also reflects growing employer demand for flexible senior talent in finance, operations, marketing, technology, sales and strategy.

What happened: - The Portfolio Executives opened registration for its free Fractional Executive Jumpstart programme. - The programme is aimed at senior leaders who want to move into fractional and portfolio executive work. - The company says the programme is designed to help executives build second-half careers, not just find another full-time job.

The details: - Employers flagged 315,605 jobs for potential redundancy in 2025, the highest annual total since 2020. - The 2025 figure was 45% higher than in 2021, based on Insolvency Service data obtained by Liquidation Centre through a Freedom of Information request. - Liquidation Centre forecasts about 327,000 redundancies across 2026. - The Office for National Statistics said in June that payrolled employees fell by about 119,000 in the year to May 2026. - Vacancies fell to their lowest level since early 2021. - The Financial Times reported that some employers are moving their highest-paid staff to the front of redundancy lists before the cap on unfair dismissal payouts is removed in January 2027. - Revelio Labs workforce data reported by Forbes in January 2026 showed the share of new executive roles mentioning fractional work has tripled since 2018. - The programme teaches participants how to package expertise, position and price services, win multiple clients, and build recurring part-time leadership engagements. - Charles McLachlan, a former partner at a global consulting firm, leads the programme. - McLachlan is founder of FuturePerfect and creator of the Portfolio Executive Growth Academy. - McLachlan said a senior redundancy can become a push toward a better workstyle. - McLachlan said a portfolio career lets an executive serve several organisations part-time, spread income risk and apply experience where it is needed. - The Portfolio Executives defines a portfolio executive as a leader with an ongoing, part-time relationship with each client. - A portfolio executive can serve as a fractional director, functional leader, strategic adviser or C-suite executive. - Programme participants also join a community of executives working across the same disciplines. - The company says the network helps members share opportunities and build sustainable careers.

Between the lines: - The programme is positioned as a response to both job insecurity and the growth of flexible senior work. - The emphasis on methodology, pricing and client-building suggests The Portfolio Executives is targeting executives who already have deep experience but need help selling it differently. - The distinction between fractional leadership and general freelancing matters because the model is built around ongoing responsibility, not one-off projects.

What's next: - Senior leaders can reserve a free place in the next Fractional Executive Jumpstart programme through the company’s registration page. - The Portfolio Executives is likely to keep leaning into the market for experienced leaders seeking part-time, multi-client work as redundancy pressure continues.

The bottom line: - Rising job cuts are accelerating interest in portfolio careers, and The Portfolio Executives is trying to convert that uncertainty into a structured pathway for senior talent.