Practice areas
Advice for decisions that have to hold up.
Each area below sets out the questions a mandate in that field usually starts from, and what is delivered. Work is carried out personally by the managing director; where implementation requires it, execution may involve named partners.
Corporate Financial Advisory
Work in this area concerns how a company is financed and how that financing is planned, documented and monitored. It covers financing structure, liquidity, planning and reporting, investment appraisal, and the documentation a bank or an investor expects to see.
Typical questions
Can we finance this investment out of our own cash flow, or do we need outside capital?
Our bank has asked for a plan we do not currently produce. What has to be in it?
How much additional debt can we carry before the covenants become tight?
Is this investment worth making, and how do we demonstrate that?
Typical deliverables
Integrated liquidity and financing plan
Bank and investor documentation package
Investment appraisal with scenarios and sensitivities
Monthly reporting template with defined key figures
Usually starts with
A Financial Position Review, which establishes the financing picture before any decision is taken. See fees and engagement models
Due diligence and transactions
Independent financial and commercial due diligence for buyers, investors, lenders and owners preparing a sale, including targets that report under SYSCOHADA. The dedicated page sets out scope, deliverables and process.
Due diligence in detailEurope–Africa cross-border
Market entry, partner due diligence, project financing files, and the conversion of SYSCOHADA reporting for European investors and lenders.
The Europe–Africa practiceStrategy & Business Development
Work in this area concerns where a company grows next and how that growth is organised. It covers corporate and growth strategy, business model design, market entry with particular depth in the Europe-Africa corridor, and investment readiness.
Typical questions
Which markets or segments should carry the next phase of growth?
We are considering a market between Europe and Africa. What would that involve?
Our business model works, but margins do not scale. Where does it break?
What does an investor need to see before we start raising?
Typical deliverables
Written strategy paper with prioritised options
Business model and unit economics analysis
Market entry roadmap with sequencing and cost estimate
Investment readiness assessment and data room outline
Usually starts with
A scoping conversation, or a Financial Position Review where the financial base has to be established first. See fees and engagement models
Restructuring & Performance
Work in this area concerns companies whose results or liquidity have deteriorated. It covers cost structure, margin recovery, operational performance and turnaround planning.
Typical questions
We are profitable on paper but short of cash every month. Why?
Which costs can be removed without damaging the business?
Which products or customers are actually losing money?
How do we put a credible plan in front of our lenders?
Typical deliverables
Thirteen-week liquidity forecast
Cost and margin analysis by product, customer or site
Turnaround plan with measures, owners and deadlines
Status report written for lenders
Usually starts with
A Financial Position Review in the full version, because the analysis needs the complete document set. See fees and engagement models
Digital Transformation & AI Integration
Work in this area concerns digitalisation and the use of AI in management and operations. It covers digital and AI strategy, process optimisation, tool selection and rollout, and enabling the team to work with what is introduced. Technology follows a business case; where there is no case, nothing is introduced.
Typical questions
Where would automation actually save time and money, and where would it not?
Which system should we choose, and what will the changeover cost us?
How do we use AI without putting our data or our compliance at risk?
The team does not use the tools we already have. How do we change that?
Typical deliverables
Digitalisation and AI roadmap with a business case per initiative
Process map with identified breaks and quantified effort
Tool selection matrix and rollout plan
Enablement plan and internal working instructions
Usually starts with
A process and systems review, or a Financial Position Review where the cost side is unclear. See fees and engagement models
Risk & Governance
Work in this area concerns how risk is identified, controlled and reported. It covers financial risk frameworks, internal controls, governance structures and compliance processes.
Typical questions
Which financial risks are we carrying, and who owns each of them?
Our controls grew historically. Do they still cover the material risks?
What does the management body need to see, and how often?
How do we prepare for an audit or an external review?
Typical deliverables
Risk register with assessment and ownership
Description of internal controls with identified gaps
Governance and decision-rights framework
Reporting calendar and management reporting template
Usually starts with
A review of governance and controls, or a Financial Position Review where financial risk is the main concern. See fees and engagement models
Institutional & International Advisory
Work in this area concerns organisations that spend public or donor funds and have to account for them. It covers programme financial design, budget and reporting governance and cross-border compliance, for embassies, public bodies, multilateral institutions and development agencies operating in Germany.
Typical questions
How should this programme budget be structured so that it can be reported on?
Our reporting obligations differ by funder. How do we reconcile them?
Which German requirements apply to our operations here?
How do we document expenditure so that it holds up in a review?
Typical deliverables
Programme budget structure with cost categories and assumptions
Reporting framework and templates per funder
Compliance checklist for cross-border operations
Written procedures for expenditure documentation
Usually starts with
A scoping conversation on the programme and its funding requirements. See fees and engagement models
How a mandate runs
Clear scope, fixed price where possible, written results.
First conversation
Free of charge and under NDA if needed. We establish whether we are the right adviser for the question.
Proposal
Written scope, deliverables, timetable and fee — fixed where the scope allows.
Analysis
Work on your data, with interim findings shared before conclusions are final.
Report and next steps
A written report, a presentation to decision-makers and, on request, support with implementation.
Questions clients ask before engaging us
Discuss a mandate.
Enquiries are answered within one business day, usually with a first view on scope and the appropriate engagement model.