How I Work
I operate on a fractional basis, giving my clients access to the experience I’ve gained as a Managing Director, available on a retained or daily rate.
This approach benefits my clients in two keyways:
Value
Rather than hiring a full-time Managing Director, Finance Director or Commercial Director—which is often beyond the budget of many small or medium-sized businesses—I offer my services on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, invoiced accordingly. This removes the risks associated with full-time employment contracts and additional costs such as Employers’ National Insurance.
Time
The SMEs I work with typically don’t require a full-time Finance or Commercial Director, and part-time professionals in these roles can be difficult to find. My clients benefit from engaging my services for exactly the amount of time they need—whether that’s for delivering a specific project or for regular commitments, such as monthly board and strategy meetings.
Results
I believe any good business should stand behind its product or service by delivering the results customers expect. That’s why I’m happy to put my money where my mouth is: if, after our initial day working together, you don’t feel I’ve added value to you or your business, you won’t pay a penny!
My Methodologies
I work with my clients on two levels of their business, providing support at each stage through both Practical Business Support & Director Support.
Practical Business Support
This focuses on the practical aspects of the business, including financial details, operational processes, systems, sales teams, and marketing strategies. We achieve this through a five-stage process:
Step 1: Discovery & Observation
This stage involves gaining a clear understanding of where the business currently stands—whether it is in start-up, growth, maturity, or decline. We explore how the business reached this point and identify its ambitions for the future. We assess whether a clear plan is in place to achieve those ambitions and examine the overall health of the business, including any immediate issues that may need urgent attention or opportunities to improve on existing success.Additionally, we look at where the business needs to be in order to align with your personal lifestyle goals, recognising that everyone’s circumstances are different. Finally, we identify any key hurdles the business must overcome to move forward successfully.
Step 2: Diagnosis & Agreement
Based on the insights gathered in Step 1, we now diagnose the current state of the business. It’s essential that all stakeholders agree on this diagnosis. If there is disagreement, we reassess whether anything may have been overlooked in the initial stage and revisit it if necessary to ensure a shared understanding and alignment.Step 3: Strategy & Planning
Next, we gather all the ideas that could help improve the business and achieve its ambitions. We assess the credibility and realism of these ideas, prioritising them based on their potential impact. We ensure each idea aligns with the overarching goals of the business and then develop a clear, detailed strategy and action plan. It’s critical that all stakeholders are in agreement with both the direction and the steps required to move forward.Step 4: Action!
Now it’s time to act. This step is about executing the agreed strategy with focus and commitment—putting the plan into motion and ensuring everyone follows through.Step 5: Review & Refine
Regular reviews are essential to monitor progress and capture learning at every stage. We evaluate what has worked well and why, and whether any new insights have emerged along the way. If certain elements of the plan weren’t implemented, we will investigate the reasons behind that. We also assess whether the resources used delivered the expected return on investment, and whether we should continue investing in them or redirect efforts to more effective alternatives.Finally, we repeat the full cycle—Steps 1 to 5—to continuously improve and adapt as the business evolves.
Director Support
Beyond a structured plan, I offer Directors support and guidance based on real experience—having been in your shoes and faced similar challenges myself. Implementing change or addressing business issues can feel overwhelming.
That’s why I provide ongoing support to help you navigate these situations. When it comes to your business, you can be sure—I’ve got your back: