Working with us

We are very clear about how we work with the owners, leaders and managers of our clients.

Firstly, it is your business and you are responsible for the decisions and actions that shape its future. We will support you in every way we can and we will be committed to working with you as your business grows and develops; but we will always respect your position and your ultimate responsibilities.

Together we will identify a mentor for the business. The mentor will provide a focal point for all of the services the venture requires from Ugly Duckling and its partner organisations.

We will design with you a tailored package that will provide you, as entrepreneurs, with comprehensive, in-depth, and yet cost-effective support in growing your business.

A typical tailored package will look like this:

1. Building Value

• Educating, supporting and advising the team in all necessary aspects of establishing and growing their business, with a view to early finance raising and eventual sale, including:
• Financing
• Business and financial planning
• Building the team
• Investor relations
• Role definition
• Succession planning
• Financial management
• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Ongoing coaching of the founders and other team members
• Regular review meetings to take stock of progress against plan, anticipate upcoming issues and discuss and deal with current issues

2. Management

• Take on senior roles on a part-time basis as required, possibly covering:
• Finance
• Strategy
• HR
• Provide part-time operational capability until the business can source it itself. This could cover any or all of:
• Accounting / financial reporting
• HR
• Recruitment
• IT
• Administration
• Marketing

3. Financing

• Introducing the company to potential sources of finance (loans, grants and equity)
• Assistance in preparing the business plan and investor meetings and presentations
• Advice on making the business 'investor-ready'.

Once the package of work is agreed, it's up to you and us to make it work. Every journey is different, but the aim is always the same. You have a vision. We will help you to realise it.