Diversification - Case Studies Examples


Case Study One
Property Developer - David Wood and Adrian Brotherton started Fieldview Homes Limited as a residential property development business in 2002. From building 3 houses in year 1, the business will turnover around £4 million this financial year. Susan Maltby has carried out the bookkeeping since day 1 and this has included managing Fieldview's obligations under the construction industry scheme. Hans has provided strategic advice and put management information systems in place as well as focusing the directors minds on limiting risk.

David Wood says " The past 5 years have been a steep learning curve for Fieldview Homes. Outsourcing the bookkeeping to Susan on day 1 has made a huge difference to the business, because neither of us had these skills or the time to acquire them.The books have always been up to date and we have never had problems with the Construction Industry Scheme. We have been free to focus on land acquisition and development and marketing our finished product.Hans has prepared cashflows and a budgeting system which has meant that we always know where we are. Far more importantly, in an industry where a delay in selling just one house can result in a £250,000 gap in cashflow, we have foreseen problems meaning funding has always been obtained cost effectively and in advance. The availability of good quality financial information has been significant in enabling us to deal professionally with our banks. Hans was also instrumental in making us consider alternative sources of development funding and managing risk. Hans has always delivered on his promises and we value his honesty and the difference he has made to this business"

Case Study Two
Go Karting centre – W I Smalley & Sons are a very progressive farming and contracting business near Nottingham.  Hans assisted this business to establish a Go Karting centre at a nearby airfield.  The business had been looking for an opportunity to expand into a new venture for some time and when a hanger became available the Smalley family with Hans’ help established a very successful business which they sold as a viable enterprise after 3 years.

Stewart Smalley “Hans was instrumental in getting us started and helped us restructure to allow us to expand.  It was a great success and we were able to sell it after just 3 years to introduce further capital to the core business.  Hans has helped us all the way and we know that he has through his sound advice added value to our business”