Rachel Hayward Managing Director
We have secured contracts and grant funding totalling:
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. 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 £12m in funding for Ask the Chameleon clients since 2015. Rachel particularly believes in the power of networking and connections, which has seen her nominated for Female Entrepreneur of the Year – East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Enterprising Women 2020 and Ask the Chameleon itself win Small Business 100 award for 2018 and Federation of Small Business East Midlands Micro Business of the Year 2019. In 2020 Ask the Chameleon became the FSB Micro Business of the Year for the West Midlands region.
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!
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.
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.
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.
…from the initial contact that I’ve had with Rachel to delivering the finished case study – it all went smoothly and professionally. Rachel’s proactive approach, ability to create concise content for awards and case studies, eagerness to learn about the company and the people and her professional writing skills were fantastic.
Francoise Derksen
Rachel helped me with the start up of my business. I had no previous business experience so a lot of the information I was given prior to Rachel was confusing. However, she was able to explain each aspect of the roles I was expected to do, approaching each situation in a friendly, professional manner, offering advice when needed.
Sean Garavan
I have known Rachel for many years now and can say without a doubt that I would not have chosen anyone else to help assist me with writing my application for the Marketing Derby Rising Star award.
She helped me feel at ease, and took away the fear and doubt I had about writing an application about myself and business. She made the process extremely easy for me. She really knows how go get out the words, you just can’t seem to articulate yourself.
And thanks to her amazing writing skills I won the award!
Rachel has given me the confidence that anything is possible with a well written application.
Sonia Sohal
