Testimonials

“I have been working with Jon over the past few months as a result of meeting him through the UWE Impact & Innovation Scholarship Scheme. Jon has a positive, engaging attitude and has invaluable experience that he is more than happy to share. I graduated as a product designer, with little experience of the business world. Keen to improve this, I had several meetings with Jon that have helped me to understand crucial aspects of starting a business and how best to implement them. Jon not only demonstrates brilliant skills as a teacher and mentor, but also as a support network and someone to run ideas by. I would recommend Jon to anyone who is looking to improve their skills and grow in confidence as they start a new venture.”

Abbie Fawcett – Creative Product Designer

“I have worked with Jon for a couple of years now, covering various topics of business. His experience and enthusiasm has really helped me to develop my role within sales and provided me with a greater level of confidence and understanding on how to explore and develop my business ideas. Thank you.”

Tom Pycock – Sales Director at Brunel Engraving Company Ltd.

“Jon has been an incredible mentor to me over the past four months. His friendly and easy going nature makes him a joy to work with and his knowledge is diverse and experiential. I was in a position where I had skills as a designer and a maker but no knowledge or confidence in business and Jon has worked with me over the past four months to help develop my skills and understand and work towards launching my business. I would highly recommend Jon to anybody looking to launch or develop their business, particularly switching manufacture or product based environments.”

Luke McCoy – Creative Furniture and Homeware Designer 

“I’ve been working with Jon for a couple of years now following an introduction through the Growth Accelerator programme. Jon has worked with me on looking at all aspects of the business from producing a three year plan and assessing finance requirements to changing the management structure and evaluating performance.
His input is always measured and thoughtful and he has helped bring more focus to those aspects of the business that need it. In talking through any issues, his approach is always to bring my knowledge and judgement out and help me make decisions rather than try to impose an external expertise. I feel this has helped build my understanding, brought clarity to my thinking and given me increased confidence to continue to grow the business.”

David Moreton – Director of Circle Interactive

“We formed a relationship with Jon through the Growth Accelerator program, and he was a great help to us in getting Cosan off the ground. When that program came to an end Jon became our Non Exec Director to help bridge the knowledge gap we had setting up and managing our own business. Jon provided invaluable guidance to us based upon his experience, and was always there to encourage and cajole us in equal measure! He brings the additional benefit of having an extremely enthusiastic approach to business and life in general and is a true gentleman.”

Philip Dickinson – Director at Cosan Consulting Limited

“I can honestly say that I could sit and chat to Jon for hours on end. Such an engaging and passionate individual with reams of experience to draw on, he has helped me to realise my potential and guide me towards the next steps in my career. He has a great knack for teasing out a person’s skills and qualities to help offer really creative suggestions as to how best to capitalise on these. It’s very obvious how much Jon truly cares about what he does and the people he works with which makes it easy to see how he has achieved such success.”

Jennifer McGuire – District Manager at ADP – Small Business and Franchise Solutions

“I heard Jon speak at the recent “S Factor” event about finance in business and some of the alternatives available (other than the banks). Jon spoke very knowledgeably about crowd, seed, peer to peer, VC – a vast subject condensed into manageable chunks with examples of how businesses can grow through looking at the alternatives. Thank you!”

Sean Humby – Director & host – Business Network (SW) Ltd, Bristol networking events. Asia Teak Group introducer.

“Jon is an excellent business coach who helped me to structure a robust business plan. His background in finance really helped me to understand the importance of setting realistic financial goals for the first three years of trading. Jon and the Business West, Ready for Business Programme has given me a great platform to develop and expand my business. Thank you.”

Simon Norton FInstSMM – Exit Planning Specialist at The Exit Planning Company Limited

“What a difference it made our organisation when we employed a part time FD. Not only could my own time be far better utilised, but as a result of the fresh, objective perspective within the company from someone so experienced, we very quickly began to add real value to the business; and all for significantly less cost and commitment than if I had employed someone full time in that position!”

CEO – Voluntary sector organisation, Bristol

“At a time when our overseas business was about to decline, I was fortunate to be introduced to Jon Nicholls as a part time FD. He was able to help us to focus on our marketing strategy and support and develop our finance section. His ability to interact with all levels of staff meant he was quickly able to introduce appropriate systems and processes into the business. The benefits that I obtained from his support, advice and experience were both ongoing and unsurpassed. I would have no hesitation in recommending Blue Biz to anyone in a similar situation.”

CEO of Retail Company, based in St Annes, Bristol

“We have been very fortunate over the years to be able to rely on good, calm, objective, no nonsense advice from Blue Biz Consultancy. Jon’s broad business experience comes into play when he discusses the issues we face in a way which is both understandable and relevant. His ability to create and deliver bespoke leadership and management training courses was impressive, particularly given the multinational nature of our business. ”

Property management and development company, UK based

“We are so grateful for Blue Bizs input, I am not sure how we would have survived without their help, especially given the funding cutbacks. The additional support and organisation has allowed us to focus more on driving the business forward, and creating a business model which is less grant dependent.”

CEO, Charity based in Bristol

“It is so important for SMEs to have the correct financial, strategic input such as Blue Biz has given to our organisation. We now have clarity, focus and direction. I would imagine other companies are also in the position of requiring a Financial Director yet not being in a position to retain one full time. Blue Biz’s tailored services  filled the gap for us.”

Hotel Owner, based in Bath

“Blue Biz coaching resulted in my challenging assumptions I had no idea I had — assumptions about what success was supposed to look like, and what I needed to do to achieve that success. Our coaching sessions resulted in my having a more authentic life, both at work and outside of work. Jon garnered an accurate understanding of my situation through intense listening and intuition, asked questions where I needed to be challenged, and provided valuable suggestions when I needed practical advice. I would recommend Jon’s coaching for anyone seeking focus and clarity for their life.”

Amanda – Bristol

“Blue Biz helped us to refocus our business at a time when our cashflow was at a low ebb and we were thinking about quitting. Jon gave us the strategy, motivation and inspiration to carry on. We are now looking forward to a really productive and profitable 2007. We shall certainly be retaining Blue Biz to help support our plans in the future”

Director of Construction Company, based in Chipping Sodbury.

“We were working hard and seemed to be going nowhere. The arrival of Blue Biz helped us to recognise what we needed to focus on and how to improve performance. We now have a very healthy future.”

Director of Home Care provider, based in Bishopston, Bristol.

“Jon’s input was a crucial element in the raising of capital to fund our overseas expansion plans. The business plans were a key factor in convincing our new funding partners to invest significantly in our organisation”

Director – Privately owned Media company, London

“Jon was the architect in refinancing our business, using our own assets, thereby funding our longer term growth objectives. He was also instrumental in stabilising the organisation following our flotation on the London stock exchange”

Chief Executive – Chartered surveyors, London

“Jon Nicholls is one of the most all-around, effective CFO’s I know. He has deep experience in almost every event that a small or growing business might confront. He is a pleasure to work with and he is a reminder that all businesses rest on the quality of the financial systems in place.
I cannot recommend Jon highly enough.”

Owner, Lettings and property management agency, Bristol

“Jon led a number of projects arising from a review of service planning and financial management arrangements. This involved a radical and positive “shake – up” in the way that we managed our budgets, and led us to retake control of our spending.”

Head of Performance & Resources – Public sector organisation

“Jon led a project to transform a fragmented set of organisations into stronger and more strategically focused units based on a new social firm model. Analysis undertaken also had the affect of improving short and longer term performance.”

Strategic Manager – Care provider, Bristol

“Refocused the company towards a more performance driven agenda following the corporate takeover of a number of smaller independent estate agencies.”

Group Finance Director – Mortgage Corporation, Exeter

“Our Company had some very traditional systems and attitudes which needed to change if we were to survive and grow in the future. Blue Biz helped us consolidate our position, create the business plan and strategies, and implement crucial changes. We wouldn’t have managed such a dramatic change without Jon’s support.”

Director of Building Subcontractors, based in Southville, Bristol.