Fractional CTO, Glasgow
Kyle Kennedy
Chief Tech Officer
I help businesses and public bodies make good decisions about technology, then see those decisions through to systems that work.
20+
years across finance, mission critical systems and digital
175
clients at Blue Sword, the agency I founded and sold
~50
organisations served through SYNF
Distinction
MEng Computer Science, University of Strathclyde
01Story
A technologist who has run the business as well as built the systems.
I grew up in the Highlands, took things apart as a child and was writing code before I left primary school.
That led to a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Strathclyde, then a career that has run through investment banking technology, mission critical systems, building and selling my own agency, and now working as a fractional CTO and building with my team for businesses and public bodies.
Over twenty years I have watched a lot of budget go on the wrong system. My job is to make sure technology is fit for purpose, fairly costed and delivered on time, and that the people paying for it understand what they are getting.
02Career
Twenty years, in highlights.
Early career
Investment banking technology
Built and supported technology in a regulated, high scrutiny financial environment.
- Learned to model risk and value where the numbers had to be right first time
Engineer
Mission critical systems
Delivered secure systems under strict safety and security assurance, on work that helped keep people in the UK safe.
2012
Founded Blue Sword
Built a digital agency from scratch and ran strategy, finance, hiring and delivery end to end.
- Platforms for the University of Strathclyde, COSLA and Trust Housing
- Grew to 175 clients
2020
Sold Blue Sword, founded SYNF
I sold Blue Sword to an investment group, on the financial models I had run the business with, and the same year set up SYNF to build apps and systems and to work as a fractional CTO.
- Around 50 organisations served since
2023
CTO, Yokit, and a fleet off paper
Took on the CTO role at Yokit, a farm management platform, and led the digitisation of driver operations at Long Lane Deliveries.
- Yokit won an RHASS innovation award and supported a £160k funding round
- Long Lane’s end of shift debrief cut from 45 minutes to 6
2026
Public sector supplier
SYNF became Cyber Essentials certified and was admitted to two public sector purchasing systems.
- Scottish Government Digital DPS, Lot 1
- Bield DPS, Lot 7
03How I help
Senior technology judgement, when you need it.
Most of my clients don’t need a full time CTO. They need someone who has done it before to sit beside the leadership team, ask the right questions and stay until the work is done.
i.
Fractional CTO
A senior technology lead for as many days a month as you need. I set the roadmap, sit with the leadership team, keep suppliers honest and make sure the plan survives contact with real users.
ii.
Modelling
Financial, cashflow and growth models, and honest models of what AI will do to output, headcount and cost. I have run businesses on these models and sold one on them.
iii.
Delivery
When something needs built, my team at SYNF designs, builds and supports it, from mobile apps and web platforms to the integrations that tie systems together.
04Public sector
Ready to work with public bodies.
Public bodies can buy from SYNF through the purchasing systems below, or bring me in directly as a fractional CTO. Both routes come with the paperwork procurement teams expect.
Frameworks
Scottish Government Digital DPS, Lot 1
Bield DPS, Lot 7, all regions
Security
Cyber Essentials certified, whole organisation
Insurance
Employers’ liability £10m
Public liability £5m
Professional indemnity £1m
Supplier
BHIK Studios Ltd, SC670511
Scottish SME, VAT registered
Registered on Public Contracts Scotland
I’ve found Kyle and the team often go the extra mile to give you just what you need. Go grab a coffee with him and see how he can help you, you won’t be disappointed.
Andy Currie, Systemic Leadership Accelerator
05Contact
Tell me what you’re working on.
The first conversation is free and carries no obligation. I’m based in Glasgow and work with organisations across Scotland and the rest of the UK.