Over 60% of board-level mandates now include AI or digital transformation requirements. We place CPOs and CTOs into private capital-backed businesses, leaders who build scalable products, modernise platforms, and deliver the digital capability today’s investors expect. Qualified shortlist within 72 hours of brief.
Why this hire matters
Technology and product leadership is no longer a back-office function in private capital-backed businesses; it is a primary driver of valuation, competitive moat, and exit multiple. Whether a business is building a proprietary platform, undergoing digital transformation, or embedding AI into its operating model, the CPO or CTO sets the pace and ceiling of what is possible.
The tension in this hire is unique: PE sponsors are investing in a 3–5 year hold with a defined exit thesis, while product and technology leaders typically think in longer arcs. Finding someone who can build for the long term while delivering demonstrable platform value within the hold period requires a different kind of assessment, and a different kind of search.
We assess PE readiness carefully for every product and technology candidate. Leaders coming from VC-backed or listed environments often need to adjust to the governance cadence, board reporting expectations, and commercial prioritisation of a private capital-backed business. We surface this early in the process, before it becomes a problem after the hire.
What great looks like
Platform thinker
Builds for scale without over-engineering. Understands technical debt as a business risk, not just a technical one. Makes architecture decisions that support the exit thesis, whether that means platform consolidation, API-first design, or acquisition readiness.
Commercial awareness
Translates product and technology decisions into revenue, margin, and valuation impact. Speaks the language of the board, not just the engineering team. Understands that technology investment must have a line of sight to business outcome.
AI and data fluent
Has embedded AI or data infrastructure into products and operations, not as a pilot or a proof of concept, but as a production capability that drives measurable business value. Can distinguish between genuine AI leverage and board-level noise.
Delivery focused
Ships product. Builds executing teams. Holds engineering accountability without micromanaging. Produces board-level reporting that gives sponsors confidence in the technology roadmap and honest visibility of delivery risk.
HMN's approach
CPO and CTO are distinct roles and we treat them as such
If the challenge is what to build, product vision, roadmap prioritisation, customer-led development, and product-market fit, you likely need a CPO. If the challenge is how to build it reliably and at scale, engineering leadership, architecture, technical debt, platform stability, you likely need a CTO. Many businesses need both; the sequencing and reporting structure matters and we help sponsors think this through before the brief is written.
We access deep specialist networks
We access deep specialist networks across UK and European product and engineering communities, including candidates embedded in high-performing technology organisations who are not visible through standard search channels. This is not a market where database searching produces the best outcomes.
We probe AI credentials rigorously and specifically
We look for candidates who have embedded AI operationally, into product features, internal tooling, or data infrastructure, with measurable outcomes. We do not shortlist candidates who speak fluently about AI but cannot point to specific implementation and results.
The process
1
Brief
We understand the product and technology strategy, the current team capability and gaps, the exit roadmap, and what the board expects the new leader to deliver in their first 12 months.
2
Search
We map CPO and CTO candidates across UK and European product and engineering communities. We approach specialist talent not accessible through standard channels, using direct relationships built over years in this market.
3
Shortlist
We present 3–5 candidates with assessments covering technical depth, commercial awareness, AI and data fluency, and PE readiness. Delivered within 3–4 weeks, or 72 hours for urgent mandates.
4
Close
We support through offer negotiation, equity benchmarking, and onboarding, including structured orientation into PE governance, board reporting expectations, and commercial prioritisation frameworks.
Frequently asked questions
How do we decide whether we need a CPO or a CTO?
If the primary challenge is what to build, product strategy, roadmap, customer outcomes, and product-market fit, hire a CPO. If the primary challenge is how to build it reliably and at scale, engineering leadership, platform architecture, technical debt, and delivery, hire a CTO. If the business has both challenges simultaneously, we help sponsors sequence the hires and design the reporting structure so the two leaders complement rather than compete with each other.
We are not a technology business, do you still work with us?
Yes. A significant proportion of our CPO and CTO mandates are in businesses undergoing digital transformation rather than native technology companies. Financial services, healthcare, industrials, and professional services businesses frequently need senior product and technology leadership to drive digitisation, platform consolidation, or AI adoption. The assessment criteria adapt to the context, but the search rigour does not.
How do you assess a candidate’s AI credentials?
We probe specifically and sceptically. We ask candidates to walk us through AI initiatives they have personally owned, the use case, the implementation approach, the team they built or partnered with, and the measurable business outcome. We look for operational embedding: AI in production, driving business value, not AI in a lab or a strategy deck. Candidates who can speak fluently about AI at a conceptual level but cannot point to specific, accountable outcomes do not make our shortlists.
Ready to start a CPO or CTO search?
What our clients say
“Finding a CPO who could bridge product vision and commercial delivery was our biggest challenge. HMN Capital's knowledge of the market at this level was immediately apparent — they knew who we should be looking at before we'd finished the brief.”
CEO, Private Capital-Backed SaaS Platform
“Our CTO search required someone who could manage a complex migration while scaling the team. HMN Capital's shortlist was strong, and their assessment process gave us real confidence in the final decision.”
CTO, Fintech Business, Mid-Market PE-Backed