Richard Cranstone Partner

Playfair Partnerships acted as the ideal catalyst to promote the dramatic changes to a lifetime business. The reports produced provided extremely useful analysis of our options and quantified the gains and losses of various strategies. We quickly developed an excellent working relationship with John, who demonstrated great empathy, support and respect for our business, acting as observer and adviser at all the numerous meetings to steer us to what was originally believed to be an unattainable successful conclusion.

Playfair Partnerships arrived fortuitously at a time when our farming/horticultural business was performing badly and worsening. A firm but friendly “stick and carrot” approach quickly persuaded us to be ruthless if we were not only to survive but grow. In addition, they have been most successful in re-structuring the family share-holding happily for all, in creating a trust to minimise IHT and also in building good and trusting relationships between themselves, us and our next generation.

The team at Playfair Partnerships helped us develop a clearer strategy and management structure. They introduced robust financial systems, enabling us to manage our business more effectively. And their ongoing input is important to our success

The advice and support that I have received from Playfair Partnerships this last 18 months has been invaluable in helping to guide me as a sole player in a new field. PP have advised me on everything from tax overviews and breakdowns, how better to manage my time effectively working remotely, to negotiating fees and understanding the true worth of my services in the marketplace. I feel very secure in knowing that there is someone other than myself with an eye on the future of my business

The team at Playfair Partnerships tackled a variety of business and financial problems within the company with skill and professionalism, which helped overcome the business difficulties, restore profitability and cashflow and generate confidence in the business both internally and externally.

Playfair Partnerships intervened at a critical juncture and were instrumental in dissecting my business, analysing the various sectors within it and helping me redefine what we do and removing the non-profit-making work streams. They provided much more accurate systems of financial control and other management tools which helped us substantially cut our overhead and other costs, making us profitable once again. They remain with us some 10 years later, still providing valuable advice on all things ‘business’, helping make key decisions on shaping the future both for me and the company. Being frank, Playfair Partnerships saved the company from what was a very uncertain future, their timely intervention was and continues to be invaluable.

Getting John (Playfair) involved in our business is probably the best decision we’ve made in recent years. We were in a frustrating place with our bank, we knew we had a great business but the bank couldn’t see it, were reluctant to get to understand us and even more so to support our growth. John came in, dug deep into our financial information and produced these amazing reports which quite brilliantly and succinctly summed up exactly what we were about. As a result we have a new bank on-board who understand us and is eager to provide the support we need. You cannot imagine the relief now that the shackles have been removed! I simply cannot emphasise enough the pivotal role which the Playfair Partnerships has had in helping to transform our thinking and approach to financing our business

Playfair Partnerships assisted in my business transition. They had the knowledge and experience to quickly provide simple well-thought-out solutions to a range of issues. Since then, they have continued to be very proactive with a seamless multi-tiered offering (giving the right level of experience and cost) and providing a full range of services and advice in an easy format.

Playfair Partnerships initiated both better financial accounting, control and forecasting and a plan for better management of the firm’s business. Until their arrival, the financial reporting had not produced sufficient information easily to detect incipient problems while management was largely non-existent in the true sense. Their approach had an immediately positive effect and the profits of the firm have grown substantially. They have been particularly responsible for much improved working capital and cash management. Much of the firm’s current prosperity and success is attributable to Playfair Partnerships.

We initially engaged Playfair Partnerships to provide better financial control for our business as we wanted to get a clearer insight into and control over our financial performance. As our relationship with one of their partners – Richard Cranstone – grew, we decided that he added value way beyond that of a financial controller and asked him to become our part-time FD. He now brings strategic insights and business development advice as well as a financial perspective to the board.

Most lawyers are good at their subject matter but are less experienced at running a firm and all of the disciplines involved in doing so. Playfair Partnerships’ involvement provided the financial expertise that the firm had lacked. We have not only been provided with regular and timely information to monitor our business performance but have also learnt how best to employ this information to make timely decisions.

Playfair Partnerships have been very successful in cajoling somewhat conservative-minded directors to adopt modern financial management methods, indeed, to enthuse about them. As a result, we have user-friendly cutting-edge accounting information tools in place. This enables us to anticipate any potential financial problems, solve them quickly and develop any possible opportunities for growing the business.

Working with Playfair Partnerships has enabled us to focus on growing our business, now that our financial health is in good hands. We have complete trust in Playfair Partnerships and the team make financial information easy – plain English, no jargon – empowering us to make informed business decisions. We are in regular contact with the team – both onsite and online – and find their service offers outstanding value, exceeding that of having an in-house finance team.