Fractional CIO | IT Strategy for High-Stakes M&A | Faster M&A, Smoother Exits | De-risking IT & unlocking value | Author

Most technology integrations miss their synergy targets. Not because the technology is wrong, but because the right leadership wasn't in place early enough.

That's where I come in.

I'm an Interim / Fractional CIO specialising in Transformation & Resilience. I work with CEOs and boards of multi-site, acquisition-led businesses, typically PE-backed, 500–10,000 employees, to turn technology from a source of risk into a source of value.

When integration timelines slip, cyber posture is unclear, or the estate has grown faster than the team can manage, I step in to stabilise delivery, simplify complexity, and build a roadmap the board can trust.
Recent engagement:

VetPartners (BC Partners-backed, £1B revenue, 14,000 staff, 9 countries). Built the Group IT Strategy from scratch. Created acquisition integration blueprints. Accelerated new practice onboarding by 30%. Simultaneously ran IT operations for 540 UK practices.

Career outcomes:

£700M+ M&A technology integration across the platform and bolt-on acquisitions
£15M+ annual EBITDA contribution through operational excellence and cost optimisation
Technology leadership across automotive retail, consumer goods, and veterinary services

Clients call me when:

→ Integration is off-track, and synergies are at risk
→ The board wants cyber confidence before exit, audit, or due diligence
→ Technology is a red flag in the data room
→ They need senior leadership fast—without permanent headcount

I also serve as NED (Digital & Technology) at Age UK, and I've published on AI governance, IT leadership, and board-level technology strategy.

Available for select interim and fractional mandates.

Let's talk: DJ@Starkhorn.co.uk

Daniel J. Jacobs

Sally Henderson, your High-Stakes Leadership Mentor

Leadership & Mentoring Expert

The difference between success and failure is not why you lead. It is HOW you lead.

I work with C-suite leaders and executive teams who are already successful and committed to getting better. You come to me when you're navigating high stakes situations, making critical decisions at pace and need to land significant results regardless of the scale of change around you.

Known for my straight talking, direct approach and ability to cut through to what's important quickly, I'm not a classic executive coach. I'm more directive in style and I will share my opinion and advice when the pressure is real and the stakes are highest.

As one CEO client put it: "Working with Sally is a breath of fresh air, a cold shower and warm hug all at once - and brilliant for it."

My work is for C-suite leaders and teams who are serious about mastering their leadership, willing to face the inevitable pain points of real growth, and determined to have a bloody good time doing it.

I'm the creator of The REAL Method, a leadership framework that helps C-suite leaders master their Role, Emotions, Acceleration and Leadership when it matters most. I'm also the author of The HOW of High Performance: Master high stakes leadership, achieve results that matter, and a TEDx and keynote speaker on leadership.

Clients include Accenture Song, Coca-Cola, Forbes, The IPA, IPG, M&C Saatchi, MSQ, NatWest, Nestlé, Next15, Octopus Investments, Reach, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sweaty Betty, The Social Element and VEVO.

"Sally is so much more than a coach or a mentor, she is a personal and professional accelerator! We have worked together on two major transitions – the post-sale integration of our business into fully owned status and my personal transition to corporate EMEA c-suite."
Jackie Stevenson, Global Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, M&C Saatchi

I take on a limited number of senior leaders and executive teams each year. If this resonates, let's talk: https://www.sallyhenderson.co.uk/

The High-Stakes Leadership Mentor

Trusted expertise in driving leadership and business success for prominent brands and senior leaders.

My passion lies in creating the techniques, models and ideas to help senior teams and leaders to perform at their highest level; especially when the stakes are high. 

A ‘third lane’ for leadership development.

The Real Method™ fills a crucial gap in leadership development - a ‘third lane’ - that goes beyond classic coaching or traditional mentoring. 

To excel as a high-performance team or leader is non-negotiable. 

Executive teams and senior leaders come to me to get the practical and emotional toolkit needed to re-frame their mindset, to give them a clear perspective and the ability to perform even more effectively.

The results are proven and powerful. 

If your executive team and key senior leaders are ready to further accelerate high-performance leadership, we should work together.

Sally Henderson

My book The HOW of High Performance has been selected by Waterstones for their February 2026 pre-order offer.  I am over the moon!!

I wanted to share this with my LinkedIn community first so you can make the most of it.

WHY you lead gets all the attention. HOW you lead gets assumed. Yet it's HOW you lead that's the difference between success, mediocrity and failure.

If you're a senior leader who wants to:

👍 master your role clarity
👍 strengthen how you lead under pressure
👍 protect your energy 
👍 build a leadership style that's genuinely yours

This book gives you the practical tools to do exactly this. 

Built from 25 years of mentoring CEOs and executive teams though the high stakes and original research with Olympians, Military Officers, Academics and C-suite leaders.

Go grab your copy now with 25% off - https://lnkd.in/eYkhWQhN or via the Waterstones app with code Feb26 until 20th February.

#WPreorder #HOWOfHighPerformance #Waterstones
Practical Inspiration Publishing

Sally Henderson, High-Stakes Leadership Mentor

Leadership Mentor | C-suite Leadership & Executive Team Development | Creator of The REAL Method | Author | TEDx & Keynote Speaker

taplio

The Battle

Daniel J. Jacobs

Sally Henderson

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSally Henderson's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Daniel J. Jacobs

Sally Henderson

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sally Henderson's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSally Henderson's LinkedIn Performance