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We aim to deliver high quality bid writing and consultancy services that get results at a cost-effective price

Ask the Chameleon is accessible to businesses of all sizes. Whether your business needs assistance with a one-off commercial bid application, researching available procurement or funding opportunities, writing a specific business award you want to enter or something longer term, we can help you.

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Rachel Hayward Managing Director & Lead Consultant

Rachel Hayward

Our lead consultant is Rachel Hayward. Following an exceptional career in HR, organisational development, new service development, bid writing and delivery, in the private, voluntary and public sectors, Rachel has gone on to secure £117m in funding for Ask the Chameleon clients since 2015. Rachel particularly believes in the power of networking and connections, which has seen her win awards including Female Entrepreneur of the Year – East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Enterprising Women and #ialso f@entrepreneur in 2021.

Ask the Chameleon itself won the Federation of Small Business 2024 East Midlands Self Employed/Freelancer, British Business Awards 2022 Micro Business of the Year, and was chosen as one of the Small Business Saturday SmallBiz100 in 2018.

In 2021 Rachel received an Unsung Hero recognition from the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire for her creation of the Derby & latterly UK Swap Shop during the pandemic, to help small businesses and charities swap skills with each other to survive during lockdown.

Rachel is the Area Lead for the FSB in D2N2 and a small business representative on the D2N2 LEP Business Advisory Group.

She is also a trustee of The Star Trust.

We have secured £156,500,000+ in contracts and grant funding.

We love to talk all things tenders and awards – curious to know more about how we can help you.

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Testimonials

"Rachel is an experienced, well organised and professional consultant who you can always rely on to do her best, she is hard working and passionate about what she does, I would highly recommend Rachel she is a important member of our business strategy team and a brilliant asset to First Steps."

Cathy Cleary, CEO & Founder, First Steps Derbyshire

"I first started working with Rachel back in 2017 when I went to launch my new business for the first time. I knew I needed coaching, but wanted to select someone that understood me, and that could develop me more into a business owner rather than an employee. Rachel holds me accountable every month, and sets me realistic goals to help me grow me and my business. Since working with Rachel, I have spread my wings from a sole trader to a joint business owner with a growing team. Rachel continues to support me and has helped grow my business network."

Mark Averill, Av It Media

"I first started working with Rachel back in 2017 when I went to launch my new business for the first time. I knew I needed coaching, but wanted to select someone that understood me, and that could develop me more into a business owner rather than an employee. Rachel holds me accountable every month, and sets me realistic goals to help me grow me and my business. Since working with Rachel, I have spread my wings from a sole trader to a joint business owner with a growing team. Rachel continues to support me and has helped grow my business network."

Mark Averill, Av It Media

"I recently attended a workshop facilitated by Rachel. It was engaging and full of practical advise on how to plan ahead and raise the profile of ones brand. I highly recommend."

Anika Vassell

"Rachel is a fantastic person to work with, positive, upbeat and she brings lots of ideas, energy and different perspectives. I have known Rachel many years and she has always gone out of her way to help others, often going above and beyond, and is passionate about all that she does. I can’t recommend Rachel highly enough!"

Sarah Loates, LoatesHR

Working Together

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you help me?

We know where there are opportunities for contracts and tenders, which your business could deliver. We know how Local Authorities buy (procure) their services, how they advertise and what they look for. We know the different systems that are used and how to use them appropriately (there is rarely a human being to ask these days!). By working with us, we can offer you a fast track to submission, avoiding common pitfalls and frustrations with the systems. We also understand and can translate their terminology!

How do we work together?

Usually we meet and discuss what you are looking for, how you operate and what you have done in the past. We then look at available opportunities and discuss how you meet the buyer’s requirements. If you don’t currently meet them, we can talk about how you can achieve this in the future. We then begin to draft, sharing updates as agreed, to ensure you are 100% happy with our submissions. We can even come and work in your premises. You press the button to submit – it is vital to us that you are confident with the proposal and you can deliver it in your way.

What do we need in advance?

We normally need copies of your policies, insurance details, staffing organisational chart, company background to make a start. We then concentrate on fulfilling the specification – the technical part of the bid. If you have never ventured into tendering before, we can work with you to get you tender ready.

I have no idea where to start, what should I do?
Don’t worry! that’s why we are here. We can research what is out there, what systems and portals to use, what words to apply etc so that you can receive regular alerts about available opportunities. Or we can handle that for you. Whatever you need, we can create a tailored solution, that fits your business.

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