About Us

Dockar Consulting was founded by Neil Dockar to provide a personal bespoke senior consulting service specifically aimed towards solving problems for CEOs / CFOs.

Often in the larger organisation vested interests and politics can prevent a clear, unbiased course of action from being proposed.  As we are independent with years of experience we can cut through this "noise" and give a valued assessment to the CEO / CFO.  This can be invaluable in smaller situations where sometimes you just need an independent sounding board.

For the smaller organisation (SME / startup) we specialise in "filling the gap" between your bookkeeper and high street accountant in helping you manage and properly structure the future of your business.

We offer a range of services including:

Business plans for start-ups or new ventures
Acquisition Analysis - pre and post
General Business Health Check
Cost saving and restructuring plans
Commercial solutions to legal / contractual disputes
Senior Finance cover / non executive director review
Leading negotiations to act as a "front man" for the in-house team
Liaising with external advisors such as auditors, the bank or other external funders

We have wide real world experience from start up companies through to SMEs and major blue chip corporates both within and outside the UK. Whatever the project we don't have a "set formula" rather we will tailor our approach to give maximum value to you.

Our aim is simple, to solve a pressing problem to allow you to get on with running your company.

Our Team

Neil Dockar is the lead consultant in order to ensure that a bespoke personal service is offered. If additional cover or experience is needed then we have working relationships with a number of other consultants and we are a founder member of www.fd4.co.uk to further support and meet any client needs.

Neil Dockar BA FCA

Neil originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte.  Following 12 years with Procter & Gamble in a variety of senior Europe wide Finance roles he was Group Finance Director at Capespan International plc for 12 years, where he initiated a wide range of new business ventures and led a number of corporate restructurings. Since 2006 he has been involved in a number of start up ventures as well as providing bespoke consultancy.  His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here

David Cardno BA ACMA

David is an experienced Finance Director with 15 years' experience at board level in multinationals, SMEs and start ups (Procter & Gamble, Capespan, What If?, Lornamead). His sector experience includes Consumer Goods, Retail, Food, and Marketing Services and he is experienced in Business Plans and Financial Plans for financing discussions. Since 2009  he has been running as an independent consultant providing coaching and a sounding board to MD's. His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Robert Sayers

Robert qualified as a chartered accountant in the 1980s and has wide industrial experience most recently in the aerospace, defence and exhibition sectors. He has a hands on approach to delivering key financial and management information with experience ranging from industrial SMEs to complex Trade Associations having worked for ADS Group Ltd and Farnborough International Ltd. Specialties:Trade Associations, Exhibitions and Events, Aerospace and Defence, FCA Compliance   His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Stephen Hill

Stephen qualified with Procter & Gamble in the 1980s and went on to hold a variety of senior positions with the company in the UK and continental Europe including working on new product launches, acquisitions and divestitures. Stephen moved into the B2B sector in 2000 and has worked as the European FD of two leading multinational Staffing and Recruitment services companies, handling strategy development, acquisitions/integration, restructuring and process improvement, as well as undertaking a role for a UK based accounting services company. Specialities:FMCG, Staffing & Recruitment Services, B2B   His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Paul Foster

Paul qualified as a chartered management account in 1993 after graduating in economics. Paul has over 23 years accounting and finance experience, 18 of which have been in senior finance positions. Recently Paul was the finance director for a SME researching drugs for inflammatory diseases. Paul has served for both commercial customer facing companies and research and development organisations and has assisted in start ups and high growth companies. Paul has also worked in difficult situations where cash is tight and after the sudden retirement of the incumbent FD. Specialities: Smaller business start up, bio pharmaceuticals, raising finance, planning for exit, intellectual property licensing, legal affairs   His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Ross Farrow

Ross has progressed his career through a series of Blue chips moving on to SME’s, where he started off being involved in a turnaround company from an MBO. Here he was responsible for a large VAT voluntary disclosure, consolidation and group reporting along with financial and tax compliance. More recently he has been instrumental in growing and developing a well known games company with a global client base. He built an internal finance department, developing financial business models, R&D tax credit claims, developing reporting, managing cash crisis, securing corporate finance and banking support. Ross is developing a portfolio of companies in mainly the tech & media industries, and is also a specialist in dealing with Portuguese based companies. Specialities: Online, Technology, Social Media & Innovative Start-up companies   His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Steve Currigan

Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant with a Newcastle firm that is now part of Deloitte. After a number of years' experience in Animal Health and Agricultural sectors (commercial and financial roles) he achieved an MBA from Warwick Business School. Steve has latterly concentrated on clients in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Building Facilities and Print sectors, with specific expertise in Strategy, Performance Measurement and Profitable Growth. Specialities: Agriculture, Building Facilities, Print, Renewables & Sustainables   His LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Jackie Venn

Following a successful swimming career where she achieved Olympic, Commonwealth and World medals (under her Willmott maiden name) Jackie had a variety of senior roles in the Food Catering and Vending sectors working with the likes of Compass, Tesco and B&Q.  From 2005 she has jointly owned and managed Usmoothie Ltd and is now providing selling and operational consultancy services to a variety of clients in the Catering and Food Retail sector.   Her LinkedIn profile with full details can be found here.

Testimonials

"Neil's approach to producing a business and strategic plan to guide our expansion in the UK and beyond was simple, thorough and very effective. Sound valuable and profitable advice"

"The management team was pushing hard to make the acquisition, but Neil provided sound arguments as to why "hearts were ruling heads" - an invaluable independent perspective"

"We are a young growing company with limited time and knowledge of key financial factors.  Neil has designed a simple key reporting system which allows us to "keep our finger on the pulse" whilst also keeping a watchful brief himself"

what we do

We know the demands placed on CEOs and CFOs. We've been there.  Our service to you is simple;  to provide a personal, bespoke senior consulting service to solve problems for CEOs / CFOs. We are non-political, flexible and produce results.  Here are some examples of how we can help you and allow you to focus on running your company

Acquisition Analysis
Experienced in the whole process from evaluating the acquisition, negotiating the deal and then managing the crucial post-acquisition 100 day plan. Able to lead the team, or provide additional anayltical support. Cost and synergy saving analysis
Restructuring Options
Devise cost saving and restructuring plans. With no vested interest we help guide current management to what is really possible
Legal / Contractual Disputes
Independently review situations to achieve realistic commercial changes to onerous contracts. Lead negotiations or help management understand options available
"Problem" Divisions / Subsidiaries
Analyse and recommend corrective courses of action for underperforming areas.
Franchise Opportunities
Analyse and develop opportunities to Franchise your business.
Competitive / Market Analysis
Profitability analysis on your competitors, or products within a market sector.
Business Plans for Start-ups or New Ventures
Profitability, cashflow, full RoR and risk analysis. Presentation of proposals to Banks or Investors
Performance Tracking / KPI reporting
Development of key financial reporting systems and scoreboards to identify the real profit and cash leverage points in the business. Profitability analysis of your products, customers or income streams
Senior Finance Cover / Non Executive Director Review
Emergency cover for sickness or unplanned leave. Monthly independent review of financial results and guidance.
Pension Scheme Buyouts / Restructuring
Evaluate and negotiate options for restructuring pension fund obligations

benefits to you

Very experienced, highly qualified advice

With a broad range of experiences from start up organistions through to major multi-national corporate entities, we offer you not only a professional sounding board, but an independent perspective. As a CEO or CFO you need a partner you can trust to get involved in the detail yet at the same time give you the balanced options available and a recommended course of action.

No vested interest or political history

We are not enshrined in your culture. We can take a non-political viewpoint as to what needs to be done. Fresh pair of eyes. Our recommendations and actions will not be influenced by career paths and internal positioning. Just clear, balanced, impartial advice and action.

Flexible mobile additional resource

Projects and issues are always difficult to resource in addition to everyone's day-to-day roles and responsibilities. Use us by the hour, or by the day, to provide additional cover and resource to deal with issues and problems so you can focus on running your company

our approach and rates

Each project will be clearly defined in terms of timescales and deliverables. We do not operate a "1 size fits all" approach as we know each client is different and has unique needs. However in agreeing any project we will develop a clear project brief with you covering:

What do you want at the end of the project?
Why do you need this?
How will you know you have what you want?
What other help / resources will be in place to achieve this goal?
What stopped you / the organisation doing this until now?
What are the logistical needs (dates, location, timescales)?

Daily rates are commensurate with the complexity and experience required, but will always be significantly less than those charged by the major Consulting firms

sme special focus and service

We know how difficult it can be as a smaller company (SME) / start up to successfully manage the growth and development to the next level. Typically you have a bookkeeper for the transaction processing of the accounts and then you have your High Street accountant to take care of your year end and accounts. This will take care of the various compliance matters such as VAT, PAYE, corporation tax and statutory accounts, but neither are likely to provide the hands on practical commercial approach that comes from Dockar Consulting.


Dockar Consulting fills the gap between your bookkeeper and high street accountant to help you look forward and shape the future of your business by:

Designing and interpreting monthly reports of financial and non financial information (KPIs) so that appropriate actions can be taken
Ensuring that appropriate financial plans are in place and regularly reviewed
Providing proactive advice and support to generate improvements in profit and cashflow
Being a trusted and experienced business head for a business owner to bounce ideas off
Getting involved in managing out of the ordinary transactions, contract negotiation, preparing companies for sale, or helping with acquisitions (pre and post)
Liaising with external advisors such as auditors, the bank or other external funders

And all without the commitment and costs of taking on an employee, because you only pay for the service you receive and need.

Typical Problems Solved

We know the demands placed on CEOs and CFOs. We've been there.  Our service to you is simple;  to provide a personal bespoke senior consulting service to solve problems for CEOs / CFOs. We are non political, flexible and produce results.  Here's some examples of how we can help you and allow you to focus on running your Company

Acquisition Analysis
Experienced in the whole process from evaluating the acquisition, negotiating the deal and then managing the crucial post acquisition 100 day plan. Able to lead the team, or provide additional anayltical support. Cost and synergy saving analysis
Restructuring Options
Devise cost saving and restructuring plans. With no vested interest we help guide current management to what is really possible. Our fresh pair of eyes can identify "sacred cows" or institutionalised ways of working.
Legal / Contractual Disputes
Independently review situations to achieve realistic commercial changes to onerous contracts. Lead negotiations or help management understand options available
"Problem" Divisions / Subsidiaries
Analyse and recommend corrective courses of action for under performing areas.
Franchise Opportunities
Analyse and develop opportunities to Franchise your business.
Competitive / Market Analysis
Profitability anaylsis on your competitors, or products within a market sector.
Business Plans for Start-ups or New Ventures
Profitability, cashflow, full RoR and risk analysis. Presentation of proposals to Banks or Investors
Performance Tracking / KPI reporting
Development of key financial reporting systems and scoreboards to identify the real profit and cash leverage points in the business. Profitability analysis of your products, customers or income streams
Senior Finance Cover / Non Executive Director Review
Emergency cover for sickness or unplanned leave. Monthly independent review of financial results and guidance.
Pension Scheme Buyouts / Restructuring
Evaluate and negotiate options for restructuring pension fund obligations

recent solutions

Sale of Property Surveying Business
Developed financial models and analysed profile and structure of client base to produce an enhanced valuation of the business. Led negotiations and liaised with Lawyers and other advisors
Set up of USA/UK Sports Distributor JV
Created Business Plan for new European JV between a USA and UK company to distribute selection of Sports related goods. Facilitated negotiations and liaised with Lawyers and other advisors
Deferred Sale of IFA firm
Advised owners on detailed contractual options relating to a deferred buyout arrrangement. Developed 3 year business plan and models to evaluate exit / enhanced value options.
Pan European Acquisition
Developed financial models to assess costs and benefits of potential acquistion that would have added 50% to the scale of existing company. Liaised with Merchant bank and seller to provide CEO / Chairman an independent perspective as to the true value and operational issues associated with the proposed acquisition.
Sale of Retail Chain / Franchise
Acting as personal advisor to the CEO and bridging between reporting accountants and lawyers. Developing management reports to show the key profitability levers and critical areas in the Business Plan. Advising on appropriate legal structures to achieve operational goals
Strategic Plan for Care Group
Developed 3 year strategic / business plan for multi-site Adult Care Group. Liaised with Bank to obtain expansion funding. Facilitated purchase of new office via new SIPP for owners to realise significant tax savings.
Cashflow / Business Recovery Plan
Created detailed cashflow management and recovery plan for a Premium bespoke furniture manufacturer.
Fund Raising for Internet Start Up
Advising on the strength of current business model and reviewing proposed business plan prior to submission to external funders. Analysis of the competitive environment and identification of key operational weaknesses.
Restructuring of Fruit Importer
Following loss of major customers and facilities, reviewed profitability of various business channels and recommended future structures. Identification of ongoing profitable divisions and resources required.
SG &A Value Analysis
This multi billion dollar global logistics company had expanded its SG &A base to support rapid growth in Asia Pacific. As the market matured, it was clear the resultant structure no longer met the business need. Worked with an inhouse team to identify the true value added cost drivers. Major cost savings identified with minimal loss of value / disruption to the region.

Articles

Here are a selection of articles prepared by Neil Dockar that give some insights on the role of an FD vs a Financial Controller and then what it's really like to sell your company and how Neil can help

Finance Director vs Financial Controller
Most companies have an individual in a senior Finance role. Often the title given is one of Director, other times it is Controller, many times it’s confusing to understand the difference. 

At its simplest the Finance Director “directs” and the Controller “controls”. 

Many growing organisations do not have a clear understanding of the two positions, often overlooking the value that a Finance Director can bring to their business. All organisations can see significant value added by a Finance Director - often it’s just a question of determining what level of Finance direction is needed, and for the typical SME a part –time FD is often an ideal solution. 

Whether full time or part time it can be very valuable to have a team member with 30 years experience in business, the beauty of part time is that a company doesn’t have to pay for the experience 100% of the time. 

To determine the level of financial leadership a company requires, and the right mix of Financial Controller / Part Time FD, it’s important to look at the differences between the two roles.... 

The full article may be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here
Preparing your Business for Sale (Part 1)
Often business owners think that preparing a business for sale is something that takes maybe a few weeks, and is only needed when they really want to sell the business. Most times these owners will be left sorely disappointed, and significantly out of pocket!

Getting your business ready for sale will not only significantly improve the price it sells for, and reduce the time to complete a transaction, but also importantly:
Most of the steps you will take are, in fact, good business practice.
You never know when the opportunity for a sale might arise, either because of ill health or injury, or because an offer comes along that is too good to pass up.

Grooming your business for sale takes time, which means that you need to get started well in advance. Being prepared to exit puts you in a much stronger position for when the opportunity arises. It also gives you time to explore the different exit routes available to you and lay the foundations for a successful process  

The full article may be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here
Preparing your Business for Sale (Part 2)
In the first part of the series I covered the key steps a business owner needs to take when considering a sale of their business, in order to maximise its value. In this second part I’ll share the 10 key questions that most Business Owners ask when they want to sell their business.

For many, the sale of a private company is the culmination of a lifetime’s work. More often than not, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime transaction—with just one opportunity to get it right.

The full article may be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here

Location

Dockar Consulting Ltd
Frampton Cottage, Pankridge Street, Crondall, Surrey, GU10 5QU

Telephone: +44 845 528 0990

E-mail: info@dockarconsulting.co.uk



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