Experience includes ...

American Standard
Association of Legal Administrators
Barclays Bank
Capital One
Canadian Passport Office
Career Coaching International
Department of Justice
Department of National Defence
Environment Canada
Fruit of the Loom
HRSDC
Hydro Electric
Liverpool City Council
Marks and Spencer
Marsh and McLennan
Ottawa Talent Initiative
Ottawa Fibre
Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Dutch / Shell

Our Experience

Our consultants have experience across a wide range of industry sectors and in the delivery of service lines including:

We also have particular expertise in working with professional services firms such as lawyers, accountants and consultants.

Financial and Performance Management

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  • A review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the finance function for a global textile manufacturer and distributor and subsequently advised them on the implementation of new Oracle financial systems (Fruit of the Loom)

  • Feasibility study into the provision of management information for a government organization charged with monitoring expenditure and value for money on specialist construction works. The study was undertaken using the PRINCE methodology and SSADM (Ministry of Defence)

  • Feasibility study into shared services and tax-efficient commissionaire arrangements for a manufacturer of turbine blades for the aerospace industry (Howmet Corporation)

  • Review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the finance and administrative functions of a large customer management outsourcer (Vertex)

  • Review and then re-plan the roll out shared services for a global water services company. Subsequently redesigned the finance organization in Europe and establish management processes for a large post-merger integration (Ondeo Nalco)

  • Re-engineering accounts payable for a global oil services business (Royal Dutch / Shell)

  • Specify and select new financial systems for a large grocery retailer (Iceland)

  • Detailed plan for the implementation of general ledger and work-in-progress costing systems for one of the world's largest heavy engineering companies (Alstom)

  • Reviewed management information needs at a large regional brewer (Daniel Thwaites plc)

Customer Management

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  • Directed an assignment to develop and implement a new customer contact strategy for one of the world's largest mail-order companies (Pinault Printemps Redoute)

  • Review customer and business support processes for a global oil services business and develop new policies, new ways of working and new processes. Directed implementation of recommendations (Royal Dutch / Shell)

  • Rescue of a failing Vantive CRM implementation at a global fuel retailer (Royal Dutch / Shell)

  • A project to develop and implement revised sales pipeline management processes and applications at a global oil services business (Royal Dutch / Shell)

  • Implementation of a new Customer Billing System for a vertically integrated electricity utility as part of a major business change programme (Hydro Electric)

  • Managed the $300 million Combined Customer Programme for a major multi-service utility (United Utilities)

  • Worked with the public sector team members at a large provincial law firm to help them to increase their win-rate when tendering for property-related legal services (Cobbetts)

Business Strategy

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  • Reviewed the strategy, structure, competence, profitability and viability of a national consulting and systems advisory business on behalf of its major lender (NCC for The Royal Bank of Scotland)

  • Reviewed the market opportunity, IT, organization, operations and management of a remortgaging conveyancing operation owned by a large law firm that was to be part of a management buy-out

  • Directed an assignment to examine the feasibility of an ecommerce business for a UK-based non-store retailer (JD Williams)

  • Assessed the market opportunity for a private equity firm to invest in business process outsourcing operations in the financial services sector (3i)

Operations Strategy and Implementation

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  • Developed a new operational strategy and restructured people, process and technology at a leading financial services organization (Provident Financial)

  • Created a new concept for the account opening process at an online bank (Egg)

  • Directed a project to review and then scope, plan and assist with the launch of the intermediary channel for a new investment product at a credit card services company (Capital One)

  • Directed a project to use Six Sigma and electronic process simulation techniques to reduce cycle times for new account opening at a credit card company (Marks and Spencer Money)

  • Directed reviews of collections and arrears strategy and operations at the financial services arm of a leading home shopping organization together with the implementation of changes designed to reduce debt write-off by $3.5 million (Pinault Printemps Redoute)

  • A project to select, tailor and implement a packaged trade finance application handling documentary credits and collections for the trade finance division of a major bank. The assignment included a feasibility study into extending the use of the application of 14 remote sites around the country (Lloyds Bank plc)

  • Prepared a detailed statement of requirements and functional specification for a system to handle the negotiation and collection of foreign cheques by the international division of a major bank. The assignment included supplier selection and assistance with contract negotiation (Lloyds Bank plc)

  • Development and implementation of a bespoke system for the negotiation and collection of foreign cheques by the international division of a major bank. This included managing the installation of a large local area network, directing the work of a software house, commissioning a new computer site, managing software quality assurance and user training (Lloyds Bank plc)

  • Directed an assignment to train a national grocery retailer in process modelling (Iceland plc)

  • Directed an engagement to establish a programme office for a successful mail order company (JD Williams)

  • Directed an ERP project to implement JD Edwards applications and revise the order to cash processes at a large regional brewer and pub retailer (Daniel Thwaites plc)

  • Quality assurance for a major post-merger integration programme that sought to integrate the 800 retail outlets of an acquired company with an acquiring business of similar size (Scottish and Newcastle Retail)

  • Reviewed the organization and structure of the systems development function at the International Operations Centre of a major bank. This resulted in a recruitment assignment designed to fill a management gap highlighted by the Organizational review (Lloyds Bank plc)

  • Assisted a municipal council with the recruitment of two key IT management positions (Leicester City Council)

  • Assisted a municipal council with the recruitment of an information systems manager (Hambleton District Council)

  • Assisted a large Japanese heavy plant distributor with the recruitment of a business systems manager (Marubeni Komatsu)

Technology Strategy

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  • Directed a project to review and improve the value for money delivered by the IT Directorate of a large Government Department. This involved reviewing customer satisfaction, reviewing IT process health, establishing a balanced scorecard for the Directorate, building an activity based cost model and setting out a plan for continuous improvement (Department for Education and Skills)

  • Directed "best practice" review of key IT processes for one of the world's largest banks (Royal Bank of Scotland)

  • Directed the development of an IS and IT strategy for a large municipal council. Worked with directors and senior staff to identify objectives, critical success factors and performance indicators and identified the information needed to manage service delivery and support. Helped senior management to prioritise the required application systems, evaluated technical strategies and developed a detailed implementation plan (Southampton City Council)

  • Review of IT services at a large municipal council. (Leicester City Council)

  • Led a team of client and consulting staff to develop a service-driven IS strategy for a large and progressive municipal authority (Wrekin Council)

  • Directed an assignment to review the systems at the Benefits Agency's Compensation Recovery Unit

  • Assisted a large provincial law firm with the development of an IS and IT strategy designed to maximize fee earner productivity and leverage the use of the firm's knowledge-base (Cobbetts)

  • Conducted an IS strategy review for a regional brewer and pub retailer. The Board were unanimous in accepting advice which saved the company over $12.5 million (Marston Thompson and Evershed plc)

  • Review proposed IS strategy for an automotive retailer, providing external challenge to validate its alignment with business strategy (Lookers plc)

  • Developed an IS strategy for a group of companies involved in the hire, sales and service of lifting and pulling equipment (Lifting Gear Hire)

  • Reviewed IT effectiveness and security at all operating subsidiaries of a group involved in the steel fabrication and stockholding business (Hall Engineering Holdings plc)

  • Conducted a CRAMM review of computer security for a utility regulator. The review covered all aspects of security of a system being operated on their behalf by a third party (OFFER)

  • Reviewed IT security at one of the world's largest insurance brokers. The review concentrated on the logical access controls required to protect the 21 distributed processors serving its UK broking operations (Marsh and McLennan)

  • Provided high-level IT advice to the board of a holding company for a number of electrical equipment fabrication and contracting companies (Scholes Group plc)

  • Assisted a Midlands-based construction group with the definition and documentation of its IT strategy (Maxim Construction)

  • Assisting a Training and Enterprise Council with the development of an IS strategy to provide a framework within which the TEC could develop and procure effective IT systems (Targed TEC)

  • Facilitated a workshop on IT strategy for competitive advantage for a client in automotive financial services (Bank of Scotland)

  • Managed a large computer network for a company of registrars during a major share issue. The system consisted of eight linked mini-computers supporting a local area network of 200 terminals, with telecommunications links to processors at four other remote sites (Lloyds Registrars)

  • Feasibility study into the application of document-based technologies (microform, image and workflow), to assist a large pension administrator with the administration of its pensions files (Universities Superannuation Scheme)

  • Feasibility study into the implementation of image and workflow for a large municipal authority. A secondary objective was to investigate the opportunities for outsourcing work to provide employment in rural areas (Grampian Regional Council)

  • Assessed the options for improving or replacing the computer systems at a leading housing association. Led workshops with key users from all locations to determine business objectives and management information needs. Questionnaires and interviews were used to determine how well the existing systems met the requirements (Orbit)

Supply Chain

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  • Review of supply chain management at a generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer. Implementation of supply chain process improvements including sales and operations planning (Alpharma Inc)

  • Development of supply chain process reengineering approach for an alcoholic long drinks brewer and brand manager (HP Bulmer plc)

  • Evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the distribution systems developed and marketed by a large IBM-based software house (JBA plc)

Business Analysis and Project Management

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  • Specification, selection and implementation assistance for a new ERP application for a fibreglass insulation manufacturer (Ottawa Fibre)

  • Documented C-TPAT compliant logistics procedures for a North American distributor (Ottawa Fibre)

  • Specification, selection and implementation of new revenues and benefits systems for a municipal authority (Oadby and Wigston District Council)

  • Directed a project to implement integrated housing management systems at a large city council in preparation for housing management "market testing" (Derby City Council)

  • Managed the analysis, specification and selection of a computer system for a police force's engineering workshop to provide stock control and purchase ordering systems (West Yorkshire Police)

  • Directed an assignment to specify and select a new network infrastructure and committee minutes administration system for a local authority (Wansbeck District Council)

  • Produced and published a "good practice" guide to office information systems for a local government "think tank". Project experience and research was supported with in-depth case studies (FITLOG)

  • Selected hardware and software for a manufacturer of fine bone china. The assignment included the definition of requirements for costing, production control and other commercial systems (Caverswall China Limited)

  • Reviewed a personnel system specification prepared by the IT department of a brewery and advising of any major errors or omissions. Recommended the detailed steps necessary to turn the specification into an Invitation to Tender document for issue to potential suppliers (Mansfield Brewery)

  • Designed a course introducing the principles of manufacturing resource planning (MRPII) for a manufacturer of office furniture. The course was followed by a series of interviews with management and key users which were then used to form the basis of a concise yet comprehensive statement of requirements for a new manufacturing system (Wassall plc)

  • Directed an assignment to prepare a statement of user requirements for a new computer system for a Norwegian company manufacturing injection-moulded automotive components (Dynoplast Limited)

Project and Program Healthchecks

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  • Healthcheck review of a $140 million systems integration project for a Government Department, using the Treasury Board Secretariat's Independent Third-party Review approach (DND)

  • Healthcheck review of large-scale, 10-year systems replacement project for a Government Department consistent with the Treasury Board Secretariat's Independent Third-party Review approach (HRSDC)

  • Reviewed a project to implement a worldwide financial reporting and EIS system for a major media group (Trinity Mirror)

  • Provided active quality assurance on a major customer service programme for a regional electricity company (Yorkshire Electricity)

  • QA review of a struggling SAP ERP project (American Standard)

  • Special advisor to Programme Director of HR re-engineering programme for a regional electricity company. Reviewed programme management structure, proposed technical architecture, planned programme costs and timescales (Yorkshire Electricity)

  • Review of a large, technology-enabled business change programme at a major bank followed by a project to re-launch its project office (The Royal Bank of Scotland)

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