At Chalkhill Blue, pricing is designed to reflect commercial impact, not time spent.
This page exists to help SME founders and boards:
The pricing table below is the starting point, not the conclusion.
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The table below summarises Chalkhill Blue’s typical advisory and coaching investment ranges by service
This level of support is designed for owner-managed SMEs seeking clarity, structure and momentum. Engagements focus on profitable growth, leadership accountability and execution discipline rather than theory or tactics.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Growth Strategy Workshop (1/2 day or 1 x day) | Develop Clarity, Focus & bespoke Growth Action Plan | £1500-£3000 | Businesses seeking direction clarity on how best to achieve sustainable growth |
| Growth Retainer | Annual Growth Strategy Workshop, Fortnightly coaching, accountability, quarterly planning | £1,500–£2,500 per month | Owner-managed SMEs seeking structure and momentum |
| Tiered Growth Retainers | Structured weekly or fortnightly coaching with business owner and senior leadership team | £2,000–£4,500 per month | Larger businesses seekng a clear growth pathway |
| Fixed Growth Project (3 month) | Strategy reset, systems and leadership review | £5,000–£9,000 | Businesses needing immediate clarity or change |
Scale-up coaching & advisory is for businesses where growth has outpaced structure. The focus shifts from founder-led decision-making to leadership capability, systems, governance and scalable commercial models.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Hybrid Retainer + Milestones | Ongoing advisory with success-based incentives | £2,500–£4,000/month + bonuses | Ambitious scale-ups focused on outcomes |
| Leadership & High Performance Programme | Leadership development and organisational alignment | £8,000–£15,000 (6 months) | Businesses outgrowing founder-led models |
| Strategic Growth Roadmap | Commercial review and scalable growth plan | £10,000–£20,000 | Boards needing a clear scaling blueprint |
Transformation support is engaged when incremental improvement is no longer enough. These engagements address performance plateaus, operational complexity, cultural misalignment or strategic reset.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Transformation Diagnostic | Rapid assessment of performance and blockers | £7,500–£12,500 | Plateaued or underperforming businesses |
| Transformation Programme | Hands-on execution support over 12–18 months | £3,500–£7,500 per month | Complex change or turnaround situations |
| Non-Exec Board-Level Transformation Advisor | Independent challenge and governance during change | £25,000–£50,000 p.a. | Boards overseeing major transformation |
Acquisition advisory supports SMEs pursuing growth through acquisition. The emphasis is on strategic fit, disciplined execution, risk management and value protection, not deal volume.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Acquisition Strategy & Targeting | Define criteria, identify targets, deal strategy | £7,500–£15,000 | First-time or strategic acquirers |
| Deal & Due Diligence Support | Commercial diligence, negotiation support, risk review | £10,000–£25,000 per transaction | Businesses mid-transaction |
| Acquisition Partner (Hybrid) | End-to-end buy-side advisory with success fee | £3,000–£6,000/month + 0.5–1% | Growth by acquisition strategies |
Exit advisory focuses on increasing enterprise value and optionality well before a transaction. Work centres on buyer readiness, risk reduction, valuation drivers and strategic positioning.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Exit Readiness Advisory Retainer | 12–24 month exit preparation and advisory | £4,000–£7,500/month | Owners planning an exit within 12-36 months |
| Value Creation Advisory Retainer | Value maximization & wealth strategy advisory with view to an eventual exit | £3,000–£5,000/month | Owners looking to build a saleable business & exit within next 5-10 years |
| Exit Readiness Audit | Valuation, Valuation Gap analysis and exit strategy roadmap | £12,500–£25,000 | Businesses within 1–3 years of sale |
| Value Creation Advisory | Board-level value and optionality creation | £25,000–£50,000 or £5,000+/month | Maximising valuation pre-exit |
Funding advisory supports SMEs making material capital decisions that affect risk, governance and future value. The focus is on funding strategy, capital alignment and fundraise preparedness, rather than execution, ensuring the right funding decisions are made at the right time.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Funding Strategy & Capital Plan | Define funding objectives, capital structure, quantum, timing and funding route | £2,500–£4,000 | SMEs planning structured growth, refinancing or capital alignment |
| Lender / Investor Preparation & Fundraise Support | Commercial narrative refinement, forecast review, funding materials input and fundraise support | £2,500–£5,000 per month | SMEs actively engaging lenders or investors |
| Funding Advisory Retainer | Ongoing funding decision support, scenario evaluation and capital strategy oversight | £2,500–£4,000 per month | SMEs requiring ongoing funding guidance at leadership level |
Non-Exec and Board Advisory roles provide independent challenge, governance and strategic oversight, supporting founders and boards through growth, transition or increased complexity.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Quarterly Board Advisor | Board attendance, strategic challenge | £1,500–£2,500 per quarter | Early-stage boards |
| Monthly NED | Regular board input and CEO mentoring | £1,500–£2,500/month | SMEs and scale-ups |
| Interim Chair / Lead NED | Chairing board, governance and leadership support | £3,500–£5,000/month | Businesses needing board discipline |
EOT trustee and chair roles focus on governance, compliance and long-term stewardship following a transition to employee ownership, balancing commercial performance with employee interests.
| Role / Service | Responsibilities | Typical Investment (ex VAT) | Ideal For |
| Independent Trustee | Set-up, Compliance, employee representation oversight | £1,000–£2,000 /month | Newly formed EOTs (0-18 months) |
| Independent Trustee | Compliance, employee representation oversight | £1,000–£2,000 per meeting | Stable EOTs (18 months +) |
| Chair of Trustees | Chair meetings, management liaison | £10,000–£25,000 p.a. | Active EOT structures |
| Chair + Advisory Hybrid | Trustee role plus strategic advisory | £20,000–£35,000 p.a. | Larger or newly formed EOTs |
Pricing varies based on:
This is why conversations matter more than line items.
Pricing alone doesn’t explain value.
Chalkhill Blue is engaged when decisions have material commercial consequences:
Over 15+ years we’ve supported:
SME Advisory & Business Coaching Costs Explained
SME advisory and business coaching typically costs £1,500 to £7,500+ per month, depending on business size, complexity and scope. Strategic projects and diagnostics are usually delivered on a fixed-fee basis.
Because SME needs vary significantly by complexity, risk and ambition. Pricing reflects commercial responsibility and impact, not hours worked, which makes ranges more realistic and transparent.
Sometimes, but the focus is on value for money, not cost. Chalkhill Blue advises at board and ownership level, where decisions directly affect profit, risk and enterprise value, and the commercial return typically outweighs the advisory fee.
Indicative pricing provides realistic investment ranges based on typical engagements. Final fees are aligned to scope, complexity and outcomes following an initial conversation.
How Chalkhill Blue Structures Advisory Engagements & Fees
Yes. Strategy sessions, exit readiness audits and transformation diagnostics are typically delivered on a fixed-fee basis.
Yes. Some scale-up and acquisition engagements use hybrid pricing, combining a retainer with a success or outcome linked element.
Yes. Many clients begin with a strategy session, diagnostic or short project before moving into ongoing advisory support.
Some services require a minimum commitment to ensure meaningful outcomes, particularly transformation, scale-up and exit readiness work. This is always discussed upfront.
Which SMEs Chalkhill Blue’s Advisory Pricing Is Designed For
Chalkhill Blue typically works with SMEs turning over £1m–£50m+, where strategic decisions materially affect value, risk and long-term outcomes.
Generally no. Chalkhill Blue is best suited to established SMEs rather than startups or pre-revenue ventures.
Occasionally, where complexity, ambition or governance requirements justify it. Suitability is determined through an initial conversation.
No. Chalkhill Blue works across a wide range of sectors, focusing on the commercial and structural challenges businesses face rather than industry-specific tactics.
Return on Investment from SME Advisory & Coaching
While results vary, clients typically see returns through improved profitability, better decision-making, reduced risk and increased enterprise value. Advisory fees are usually small relative to the value created or protected.
Value is measured through outcomes such as profit improvement, cash generation, risk reduction, valuation uplift and strategic clarity rather than time spent.
In most cases, business coaching and advisory fees are treated as allowable business expenses, but confirmation should always be sought from an accountant or tax advisor.
Scope, objectives and success measures are agreed upfront, with regular reviews to ensure the work remains aligned to commercial priorities and value creation.
Pricing for Non-Exec, Exit, Acquisition & EOT Advisory Roles
Non-Exec and Board Advisory roles are typically priced as monthly retainers, quarterly attendance fees or annual appointments, depending on responsibility and complexity.
EOT pricing reflects governance, compliance and strategic oversight requirements, with different structures for newly formed EOTs compared to established ones.
Acquisition advisory often involves higher risk and intensity, so pricing may include a hybrid structure combining retainer and success-based elements.
Exit advisory is typically structured as a medium- to long-term engagement, reflecting the need to build value, reduce risk and prepare the business well ahead of a transaction.
How to Get Started with Chalkhill Blue Advisory
Engagement length varies. Growth and scale clients often work with Chalkhill Blue for 24–60+ months, while exit readiness, Non-Exec and EOT roles are often shorter-term.
An initial, no-pressure conversation helps determine the most appropriate service, engagement structure and indicative investment level.
The first conversation focuses on understanding your objectives, challenges and context. No proposals or commitments are made unless there is clear mutual fit.
You can arrange a conversation to discuss fit and scope. There’s no obligation.
The table provides context but clearly a conversation brings it to life.
If you’re considering growth, acquisition, exit or transformation and want advice grounded in experience, we’d love to talk to you.
Whether you’re looking to scale, exit, transform, or regain control, the next step is a focused, commercial conversation. No pressure. No generic pitch. Just experienced insight designed to deliver a return on your time and investment.