Local businesswoman and mum, Danielle Thompson, has launched Fractional Link, a new verification platform for senior business professionals, after witnessing experienced executives being overlooked in favour of louder, less qualified competitors.

Thompson, who held high-profile roles with brands such as Boots and Bacardi before setting up her first business, GoldSpun Support, 10 years ago, identified the opportunity after working closely with dozens of highly skilled directors who were struggling to win clients despite decades of proven experience.

“I kept seeing the same pattern,” explains Thompson, a mother of two. “Brilliant professionals with 20 years of corporate experience – people who’ve led teams at major brands – were being drowned out by self-proclaimed ‘experts’ with flashy social media and big promises. The best people weren’t winning the work. The loudest were.”

She added: “The freelance director market has exploded in recent years, with profiles on professional networking sites growing from 2,000 to 110,000 in just two years – an increase of 5,400%. Nearly half of business leaders now plan to hire more freelance executives in the next year, driven by economic pressures and the need for flexible expertise. But with no regulation or quality standards, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to know who to trust, while genuinely experienced professionals are getting lost in the noise.”

Thompson’s journey to entrepreneurship began after experiencing burnout during her own corporate career, after working 70-hour weeks with two small children. Danielle hit a wall with depression, and for the past decade, she’s been helping business owners and freelance directors with the behind-the-scenes admin and project management that often takes them away from the work they love.

Members apply to become Verified Fractional Directors by submitting professional references, ID verification, and proof of their experience. Once approved, they receive a verification badge, access to business templates that save hours each week, and introductions to potential clients.

The platform also provides a professional community where members can share advice, discuss challenges, and support each other – something Thompson believes is crucial for people who’ve left traditional employment structures.

“These are people who are used to having teams, PA support, and colleagues to bounce ideas off,” she explains. “Suddenly, they’re solo operators doing everything from strategy to invoicing. Fractional Link brings back that support structure to make delivering on the projects they win more enjoyable, as well as providing them with a way of standing out to win new business through the accreditation.”

Applications for Fractional Link membership are now open at fractionallink.com.