Your questions, answered

  • Q  Who are Qadence

    Qadence is an independent advisory business helping growing consumer and SME businesses strengthen the operations, financial controls, systems and processes that support growth.

    Founded by Martin Cole, Qadence brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience building and running businesses, with particular expertise across operations, finance, ERP and systems, supply chain, wholesale, e-commerce and business transformation.

    Support can be provided on a fractional, interim or project basis, depending on what the business needs.

    Q  Why does getting the foundations right matter?

    Growth often adds complexity faster than a business expects. Processes that worked when the company was smaller can start to create friction, gaps in control and poor visibility.

    Qadence helps businesses strengthen the operational, financial and systems foundations behind growth, so they can scale with more control, clearer information and less unnecessary complexity.

    Q  Who is Martin Cole?

    Martin is the founder of Qadence and has more than 30 years of experience building and running businesses across operations, finance, systems, supply chain, wholesale and e-commerce.

    He spent over 20 years as a co-founder and director of a fashion distribution business, helping grow the company across the UK, US and multiple sales channels. His experience includes ERP and systems implementation, logistics, financial control, business process improvement and leading change across growing organisations.

    Q  What is Qadence’s approach?

    I start by understanding how the business works today — where the pressure points are, what is slowing things down, and what the next stage of growth requires.

    From there, I focus on the areas that will make the biggest practical difference, whether that means improving processes, strengthening financial control, getting more from systems and data, or leading a specific change programme.

    The approach is collaborative and hands-on: working with founders, leadership teams and existing partners to bring structure, clarity and momentum without adding unnecessary complexity.

  • Q  Who do you work with?

    Qadence works with growing consumer, retail, wholesale and other SME businesses that have reached a point where greater structure, control and visibility are needed to support the next stage of growth.

    That might be a founder-led business, a PE- or VC-backed company, or an established SME going through significant operational or systems change.

    Q  What stage of business is Qadence best suited to?

    Qadence is particularly suited to businesses that have outgrown some of the processes and systems that worked when they were smaller.

    Typical challenges might include increasing operational complexity, poor management information, disconnected systems, pressure on cash or stock, rapid channel growth, or the need to professionalise without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

    Q  Do you only work on large transformation projects?

    No. Support can range from a focused project to fractional or interim leadership.

    That could mean reviewing a process, supporting an ERP or systems project, improving reporting and controls, helping with a 3PL or operational change, or working alongside the leadership team over a longer period.

    Q  Where do you work?

    Qadence works with businesses across the UK, combining remote working with on-site support where it adds value.

    For more involved projects, I am happy to spend time with teams, partners and operations on site as required.

  • Q  What kinds of projects do you take on?

    Qadence supports projects where operations, finance, systems and business change overlap.

    That might include improving business processes, strengthening financial controls and reporting, ERP or systems selection and implementation, improving stock or supply-chain visibility, changing 3PL or fulfilment arrangements, or helping a growing business put more structure around the way it operates.

    Q  How do you normally get started?

    Every engagement starts with understanding the current position, the immediate pressure points and what the business is trying to achieve.

    From there, priorities, scope and the level of support needed can be agreed. Sometimes that leads to a defined project; in other cases, the need is broader and better suited to fractional or interim support.

    Q  Do you work with existing teams and external partners?

    Yes. In most situations, the aim is to strengthen the capability already in the business rather than replace it.

    I am comfortable working alongside founders, finance and operations teams, software partners, 3PLs and other specialists, helping connect the different parts of a project and keep everyone focused on the business outcome.

    Q  How flexible is the engagement?

    Very. Support can be a short diagnostic or improvement project, a larger transformation programme, an interim role, or fractional support over a longer period.

    The level of involvement can change as the business moves through different stages of the work.

  • Q  How closely do you work with the existing team?

    Very closely. Qadence works alongside founders, leadership teams and the people already running the business, rather than operating at arm’s length.

    The aim is to understand how the business really works, bring structure where it is needed and help the team move things forward.

    Q  Can you work with our existing partners and suppliers?

    Yes. Many projects involve software partners, 3PLs, accountants, agencies or other specialists.

    Qadence works across these relationships, helping translate business requirements, clarify responsibilities and keep the focus on the overall outcome.

    Q  Do you work under confidentiality or NDA arrangements?

    Yes. Qadence can work under appropriate confidentiality or NDA arrangements where required.

    This is particularly important when projects involve financial information, systems, suppliers, commercial plans or other sensitive business information.

  • Q  How do you charge for your work?

    It depends on the type of support required. Engagements may be structured on a project, day-rate, fractional or interim basis.

    Once the scope, timescale and level of involvement are understood, Qadence will provide a clear proposal and fee structure before any work begins.

    Q  Can you work within a defined budget?

    Yes. Where there is a fixed budget or particular commercial constraint, priorities can be agreed and the scope shaped accordingly.

    The aim is to focus time and resources where they will make the biggest practical difference.

    Q  Do you charge for an initial conversation?

    No. An initial conversation is simply an opportunity to understand what you are trying to achieve, where the challenges are and whether Qadence is the right fit.

    If there is a clear opportunity to work together, the next step is to outline the proposed approach, scope and fees.

  • Q  How do we start a conversation with Qadence?

    Use the Let’s Talk page, email martin@qadence.org, or call +44 7768 900258.

    A short outline of what is happening in the business, what you are trying to achieve and where you feel you need support is enough to get started.

    Q  What happens after I get in touch?

    The first step is usually a short conversation to understand the business, the immediate challenges and what you are trying to achieve.

    From there, the most appropriate next step can be agreed — whether that is a focused piece of work, a broader project, or fractional or interim support.

    Q  What if we are not completely sure what we need?

    That is absolutely fine.

    Often the starting point is simply that something is not working as well as it should — processes feel stretched, information is unclear, systems are disconnected, or growth is creating more complexity.

    Part of the initial conversation is identifying where the real issue sits and what would make the biggest difference.

    Q  How long does an engagement typically last?

    It depends on the requirement.

    Some pieces of work may be relatively short and focused, while larger transformation projects or fractional support may run over several months.

    The likely timescale and level of involvement will be agreed at the outset.