Business Consultant, Coach, & Advisor in Cambridge & Bury St Edmunds
Based just outside Newmarket, I work with established businesses in Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ely, Haverhill and the surrounding area.
Since the late 1990’s I’ve spent time owning, running, buying, developing and advising businesses. These days, I work with a small number of business owners who value having an experienced, independent person alongside them to challenge their thinking, talk through problems and help them make better decisions.
Sometimes that’s coaching. Sometimes it’s consultancy. Sometimes it’s simply giving an honest opinion based on having dealt with similar situations before.
I deliberately keep my client base limited because I want to understand the businesses I work with properly and make a meaningful difference – and, just as importantly, I want us to enjoy working together.
Over 25 Years of Real Business Experience
I’ve spent more than 25 years owning, running, buying, developing and advising businesses – often doing both at the same time.
That experience matters. I’ve faced many of the same decisions, challenges and frustrations as the business owners I work with – from growing and developing businesses to managing through the financial crisis and dealing with a sudden and substantial fall in turnover.
I don’t work to a fixed coaching formula or rely on textbook solutions. I use a combination of experience, commercial judgement and an independent perspective to help business owners solve problems, make better decisions and build stronger, more profitable businesses.
How I Can Help Your Business
Most business owners don’t need someone to tell them how to run their business. What can be valuable is having an experienced, independent person outside the business who can look at things differently, challenge your thinking and help you work through the issues that inevitably arise.
The businesses I work with are all different, but I commonly help owners with:
I don’t arrive with a predetermined programme or methodology. What we work on is determined by you, your business and what will make the biggest difference.
Straightforward Business Advice
I’m not there to tell you what you want to hear.
If I think you’re making a mistake, I’ll say so. If I think there’s a better way of doing something, I’ll explain why. And if I don’t know the answer, I’ll tell you that too.
I’d expect the same openness in return.
Good business relationships are built on trust and honesty, but that doesn’t mean they need to be overly formal. I like working with people I can have a straightforward conversation with, challenge when necessary and enjoy spending time with along the way.
Business is serious enough already. Working together doesn’t have to be.
Who I Work With
I work primarily with established, owner-managed businesses that have reached a stage where the decisions being made can have significant commercial consequences and an experienced, independent perspective can make a real difference.
There’s no particular size of business that makes us a good fit. What’s more important is that you have an interesting challenges to work on and a genuine desire to make things better.
The Right Fit Matters
I deliberately limit the number of businesses I work with. That allows me to understand each business properly, get to know the people behind it and remain personally involved.
For me, a successful advisory relationship has to work for both sides. I want to enjoy working with the business and its people, and I need to believe that my experience and involvement can make a worthwhile difference.
My fees reflect the experience and level of personal involvement I provide and are comparable with those of other experienced professional advisers. For the right business, the value of better decisions, improved performance and avoiding costly mistakes should comfortably outweigh the cost of the advice.
What My Clients Say
“I’ve worked with Tim over several years and have always found his knowledge from a first hand experience second to none. Unlike many consultants, Tim has actually walked the walk and has shared a lot of his experiences, which in turn has allowed me to save valuable time and money avoiding business issues I would have otherwise walked headlong into. Highly recommended.” – Paul H (Consultancy)
“We have worked with Tim on and off for a number of years and during this time have found his assistance invaluable. He questions our thoughts and isn’t afraid to say how it is. In one particular case because of this he ended up saving us a considerable amount of money. He’s a good guy and we’d have no problem whatsoever recommending his services.” – Peter S (Consultancy)
“I’ve been working with Tim for nearly a year and we have made some incredible changes to my business for the better. It’s great having someone to share thoughts and ideas with, plus guidance and better planning in place. I would highly recommend Tim if you want your company to succeed” – Lesley W (Recruitment)
Let's Have a Conversation
Choosing a business coach or advisor isn’t simply about experience or expertise. You need someone you can talk openly with, whose judgement you trust and who you’re comfortable having involved in your business.
That’s why I’m happy to offer an initial meeting of up to an hour without charge or obligation.
We’ll talk about your business, what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d like to change or achieve. I’ll give you my thoughts where I can, and we can decide whether working together would be useful and whether we’re a good fit for each other.
There’s no sales presentation and no pressure to take things further. If I don’t think I’m the right person to help, I’ll tell you.