Purpose. Growth. Results.
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Take a seat.
Your business goal just got one step closer.

Like an elephant, business challenges are best tackled one bite at a time. Our advisors know which bite is the most important.

Business Advice

Accessible and valuable support for SMEs at key moments including set-up, development and sale.

Our Advisors

Experienced professionals to help you to maximise growth, drive value, and enjoy profit.

Evidence

See how the advice and support offered has benefited business owners in achieving their goals.

Insights

Learn from The Herd’s experience and their views on current hot topics and business trends.

We’ve walked the walk, not just talked the talk. Our SME business advisors have grown, turned around and sold companies.

They’ve been in your shoes and taken risks and know how lonely it can be at the top. Our team will guide you in achieving your business ambitions – whatever they are.

“Over the last 18 months we have assessed the various strategic options available to us, established our preferred trajectory and developed comprehensive plans to deliver upon our vision. We are now executing on our plans. Our plans are ambitious, have required a redesign of our organisation and implementation of new business models.”

People Centric Software Solution Company

“I was looking for some structure around the board room table and direction for the senior team. We signed up for phase 1 to deliver a 1yr operational plan that we can work to for the next 3 years. I had done courses in the past but nothing like this where it was solely based around our business with all approaches taken being relevant and factual.”

Flooring Company

“Most advisers focus heavily on the fluffy stuff of planning and vision etc and even though I agree that it is vital, Elephants Child are then able to translate that in actions so we know exactly what needs to happen, by when and by who. Which to me is invaluable. Would recommend without hesitation.”

Accountancy Practice

Cowan Scott, Managing Director, Scott Country International

“ESG… Three letters that meant little or nothing to me just 6 months ago.. are now shaping the way my business is run today.

Purposeful Business

How we can help.

We make an impact by delivering clarity, through analysis, in establishing strategic and tailored operational business plans. This then gives our clients​ focus, direction, governance and support to grow.

Business Growth Plan

vNED

Funding

Exit

Business Growth Plan

Have an end-goal in mind but not yet identified the steps to get there?

vNED

Looking for someone to hold you accountable to delivering on your plan and act as wise counsel?

Funding

Want to know the options for obtaining finance for future business developments?

Exit

Do you know the steps to take to put you in the best shape for sale?

Our Methodology

Elephant’s Child is a holistic Business Advisory company. We support SME business leaders and their senior management teams in enjoying greater profits through achieving valuable growth, preparation for exit, accessing funding and driving turnaround.

I Keep six honest serving-men:
(They taught me all I knew)

Their names are what and why and
when and how and where and who.

I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;

But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest…

Elephant’s Child from the Just So Stories, Rudyard Kipling

"Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential."

Winston Churchill

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans."

Peter F. Drucker

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."

Abraham Lincoln

"Mould-breaking strategies grow initially like weeds, they are not cultivated like tomatoes in a hothouse.… (They) can take root in all kinds of places."

Henry Mintzberg

"Strategy is the great work of the organisation. In situations of life and death, it is the Tao of Survival or Extinction. Its study cannot be neglected."

Sun Tzu

"Everyone has a plan... until they get punched in the mouth."

Mike Tyson

Insights

Elephants Child is a source of news, information and thought leadership of relevance to UK SMEs.

Salary v Dividends – How should you pay yourself in 2026?

Achieving growth, Business Finance, Financial Planning|

Now that the self‑assessment deadline has passed, many directors are taking a fresh look at how they take profits from their companies. The choice between salary and dividends isn’t just about “what saves the most tax.” It also affects pensions, state benefits, borrowing ability, and long‑term financial planning.

Five Years On: Helping business owners to grow and succeed in challenging conditions 

Achieving growth, Exit Planning|

Kevin Petley reflects on five years with elephants child, and the many challenges business owners have had to tackle during that time. He’s worked with over 50 businesses during those five years on Business Growth Plans and providing board advisory support.  

Elephants Child featured in Your Business magazine

Business Growth, Exit Planning|

Elephants Child has officially landed a feature in the latest Your Business magazine – and this edition was guest-edited by none other than iconic Dragon’s Den investor and all-round business pioneer, Deborah Meaden.

Five resolutions business owners should make for 2026 

Business Growth, Exit Planning|

The New Year is more than a symbolic reset; it’s an inflection point.  Resist the temptation to get straight back into the day-to-day execution of running your business and make some resolutions to see you through the next 12 months and beyond. 

What Could the Autumn Budget Mean for Growing SMEs? Thinking Ahead with Head, Heart and Hand 

Achieving growth, Business Growth|

For SMEs in growth mode thinking about expansion, this month's Budget from the Chancellor could be more than a policy update—it may be a moment to pause, reflect, and prepare for what’s next. 

Building a Strong Foundation for Business Growth

Uncategorized|

One of the difficulties we quite often come across when we talk to business owners is their concerns around how they can take their business to the next level

Partners

Whether you’re looking for funding, financial planning, marketing or sales agents, we’ve built long standing relationships with some of the best in the business.