Mateerz, a leading fractional c-suite provider in France, has launched an ambitious European expansion strategy positioning itself as a rising force in the continent's fractional CMO market through rapid multi-country rollouts.

The Paris-based firm, which specialises in providing fractional marketing executives and interim marketing managers to European companies, entered the Spanish market in early 2025 as the first phase of what chief executive Nawfal Laghzali describes as an accelerated growth trajectory targeting continental leadership.

Rapid market penetration strategy

"We have a good growth trajectory," Laghzali said. "We opened the Spanish market early 2025, UK and Germany in Q3 and Netherlands in Q4. By beginning of 2026 we want to become a main actor of fractional CMO in Europe."

The expansion timeline reflects the growing demand for fractional c-suite services across European markets, where companies increasingly seek flexible executive leadership without the full-time commitment and overhead costs of permanent hires. Mateerz's model provides access to senior marketing expertise on a project or part-time basis, addressing a critical gap in the traditional interim leadership market.

Fractional executives reshape c-suite landscape

Fractional CMOs represent the latest evolution in the expanding fractional executive movement, fundamentally redefining conventional approaches to transition and interim management. Unlike traditional interim executives who typically serve during organisational crises or leadership gaps, fractional marketers provide ongoing strategic guidance while companies scale or navigate market complexities.

The model has gained particular traction among startups and scale-ups that require senior marketing expertise but lack the resources or immediate need for a full-time chief marketing officer. Mateerz has already established relationships with both emerging startups and established European brands, suggesting strong market validation for its approach.

European market dynamics

The company's expansion strategy targets key European business hubs where demand for flexible fractional c-suite services continues growing. The UK and German markets, scheduled for Q3 entry, represent significant opportunities given their mature startup ecosystems and established corporate sectors seeking innovative leadership solutions.

Netherlands' inclusion in the Q4 rollout reflects the country's reputation as a European business gateway and its concentration of international companies requiring sophisticated marketing leadership. The sequential market entry approach demonstrates disciplined business transformation planning, allowing Mateerz to refine its service delivery model before broader continental expansion.

Industry observers note that the fractional executive sector has emerged as a natural evolution of traditional interim management, offering companies greater flexibility in accessing senior talent while providing executives with portfolio career opportunities. The model particularly appeals to seasoned marketing professionals seeking varied challenges across different industries and company stages.

Competitive positioning

Mateerz's aggressive timeline for achieving European market leadership reflects both confidence in its service model and recognition of the competitive window available in the emerging fractional CMO sector. The company's existing client base spanning startups and major European brands provides credibility and case studies essential for international expansion.

The firm's focus on marketing leadership distinguishes it from broader fractional c-suite providers that typically offer multiple executive functions. This specialisation allows for deeper expertise development and more targeted service delivery, potentially creating sustainable competitive advantages in specific market segments.

As European companies increasingly embrace flexible leadership models, Mateerz's expansion represents a significant test case for the scalability of specialist fractional executive services across diverse regulatory and cultural environments. Success in achieving its 2026 leadership ambitions could establish the template for similar sector-focused international growth strategies.

The company's trajectory reflects broader trends in executive search and transition management, where traditional permanent placement models face growing competition from flexible, project-based alternatives that better align with modern business volatility and changing executive career preferences.