Case Studies

Support departments as a source of corporate profit improvement: British Airways was exploring how to engender a more entrepreneurial mentality throughout its range of support departments, including catering services, motor vehicle maintenance, and property management. For over a year, Chase Noble advised members of BA’s executive team on how working practices and efficiencies should be updated, the optimal scope of operations should be built, and the support areas should gear up for emerging opportunities in the fast-changing global aviation market. Through a blend of outsourcing, joint venturing, and restructuring – including the introduction of profit centre status for the first time – benefits equivalent to 22% of the original cost base were realised within 12 months.

100 projects – including the creation of Europe’s premier industrial event: Building on its traditional strengths in investment market transactions and leasing, CBRE has been expanding rapidly into related service lines as well as new geographical markets. Over 8 years, Chase Noble has undertaken over 100 projects to assist CBRE in executing effective, innovative strategies at a country and service level, delivering the greatest possible advantage to its prestigious client base. For example, we supported the CBRE Industrial & Logistics (I&L) team in the development and launch of their annual ‘Power Of Three’ conference, now the premier I&L event in Europe. We also ran numerous workshops for staff at all levels about delivering long-term value for clients.

Making an impact in social investment: In 2012, the nascent social investment sector was at a major turning point. Supply and demand factors pointed towards fast growth. Chase Noble interviewed internal and external stakeholders, and analysed performance data from benchmark sectors in the UK and overseas, to devise a strategy to secure and retain leadership. Innovation was at the heart of CAF’s strategy, and the practical, timelined action plans, covering marketing, funding, expertise and product range, have enabled scale and credibility to be quickly established.

Converting strategy into performance: A number of strategic priorities had been identified in 2009 by the CEO and the board, and it was vital these were converted rapidly into measurable actions for which individual executives were accountable. Chase Noble supported the management team to develop a series of strategic dashboards, covering initiatives such as brand, international and the profile of the profession. These dashboards set key performance indicators for each of the strategies. They provided a forum for regular board discussion about progress and issues that required further attention. Since 2009, CIPS has grown strongly, solidifying its position as the premier global body for supply chain professionals.

Cunard owns and operates the most famous cruiselines in the world. Laurence Smith was the project manager for a year-long series of assignments to ensure the organisation was efficient, modern and relevant. The result was that Cunard was outstandingly positioned to capitalise upon a sustained boom in the cruise sector. The experience has been immortalised in the recent book All At Sea.

Rebirth after Management BuyOut: When Cox Insurance was delisted by a consortium led by a previous chief executive, Chase Noble project managed the company’s rebirth as Equity Insurance. A new identity was created – modern, memorable, incisive. Six values were developed as part of a staff engagement programme. And a new strategy was unveiled to build on the company’s heritage whilst aggressively modernising. Within 18 months, Equity made such progress that it was acquired by Australia’s leading insurer as the cornerstone of its European expansion.

Efficiency review. Analysis of cost base to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, either through business process re-engineering or restructuring supply chain relationships.

Lance Forman is one of London’s most charismatic entrepreneurs. Since assuming the helm of the internationally-renowned, fourth-generation family business H Forman & Son, the country’s finest purveyor of smoked salmon, he’s led it through turbulent times. Most dramatically, in 2005, the firm faced eviction to make way for the Olympic Stadium, and teetered on the brink of collapse. Lance’s fight to save the firm brought him into open conflict with many powerful figures, including the then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and Sebastian Coe. Chase Noble was privileged to help Lance “fillet, cure, carve and package” this extraordinary tale in the recently-published book, Forman’s Games – spending countless days working together to craft a manuscript that caught the immediate attention of Iain Dale’s Biteback Publishing. Described by the Sunday Times as “an exquisitely score-settling book”, by Boris Johnson as “a fascinating insider account”, and by Nick Ferrari as “making the world of Machiavelli appear humdrum”, Forman’s Games is recommended for anyone needing a Stephen King-esque adrenaline fix!

Luella Linen is an early stage entrepreneurial business offering a range of beautiful luxury 100% pure natural linen products such as bed sheets and pillow cases – hand embroidered and hand finished using the finest soft linen. Chase Noble assisted the company with its supply chain management, including AsiaPac site visits.

Best practice procurement. A comprehensive review of procurement activities within this unitary authority to ensure best value for Council taxpayers money and outstanding results for service users.

Setting priorities at a crucial stage in the growth trajectory: Marketing Punch was at a cross-roads. It had established a solid reputation and was active in international marketplaces such as France and Australia. Now it faced a number decisions that, if properly resolved, would underpin the next stage of its exciting journey. Chase Noble worked closely with Chief Executive Charles Haynes to address the immediate challenges, set a clear direction, and build a long-term strategy that was viable and practical.

Strategy review to build profitable revenues: MJC Plumbing had grown quickly through opportunism and word-of-mouth. To make the next step, Chief Executive Danny Morris realised the business needed to greater focus on the top priorities. It also needed to restructure so there was a better balance between long-term business development and ongoing customer service. Chase Noble ran a series of strategy workshops with the management team that has led to an acceleration in profitable new revenue streams within its central London heartland.

Marketing strategy to secure long-term NHS contracts for specialist health services: The National Health Service was under pressure to keep pace with rapidly advancing medical practice and rising demand for healthcare, whilst also operating within finite budgets. Netcare was one of the few independent sector health providers with the expertise and track record to supplement the NHS’s own provision in a number of specialist areas. Chase Noble worked with Netcare to ensure proposals were submitted to the NHS which were patient-led, which contained innovative solutions to intractable problems, and which provided value to both parties. With Chase Noble’s support, Netcare secured a number of long-term contracts. As a result, thousands of patients benefitted from outstanding care provision and reduced waiting times for services such as cataract surgery and hip-and-knee replacement.

Supporting the integration between Family Investments and Engage Mutual: In 2015, two successful financial mutual organisations joined together to form OneFamily. Chase Noble supported the Operations integration programme, creating ambitious plans for thirteen merger workstreams covering areas such as information technology, image and workflow, knowledge systems, contact centre telephony, and middleware. The integration will complete in the second half of 2016, some 9 months ahead of target. OneFamily is now one of the UK’s largest financial mutual with over 2.5 million customers.

Strategy review leading to tremendous growth: Chase Noble worked with the founding Posturite team to assess the market opportunity for an innovative range of ergonomic office equipment. A clear growth strategy emerged which involved rapid geographic and product range expansion. Posturite is now the clear leader in its sector, with annual sales of £22m. Chief Executive Ian Fletcher-Price still speaks of the strategy workshops as the essential ingredient in propelling Posturite’s breakthrough from early stage start-up to market leader.

Rebranding strategy to ramp-up awareness and engagement: When Misys merged four legacy brands to create Sesame, Chase Noble was asked to programme manage and support the rebranding strategy. Key messages were identified to provide emotional and rational strength to the brand. Analysis of the customer base was undertaken to ensure the messages had resonance and drove loyalty. Today, surveys show that Sesame Bankhall’s public awareness consistently outranks that of any other financial advice brand in the marketplace.

A 5-year growth strategy to benefit new investors: SIMS was a market leading clinic with a unique business model and experienced medical team, that was considering investment from a number of financial and strategic partners. Chase Noble provided guidance, expertise and options for the ‘post-money’ strategy, recommending how the business could build on its success through the organic growth of its core services supplemented with growth into new specialisms and markets. The deal was successfully concluded and the retiring chairman agreed that “the alien process (would have been) a much more stressful journey” without Chase Noble’s support.

Chase Noble supported Virgin in the development of ambitious market entry strategies in the healthcare sector. This involved market analysis, financial modelling and the preparation of detailed market entry plans which built upon the reputation and credentials of the Virgin brand.

Customer insight to deliver innovation and value: Zurich Global Life was reviewing and reinventing its wide range of long-term investment products to ensure they met the changing needs of its customers across the globe. This required insight into the market’s priorities and expectations, which often varied widely by factors such as territory, lifestage, family status, or risk profile. Chase Noble supported this programme through in-depth interviews and focus groups in locations including UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, covering issues including product design and takaful insurance . We also completed country profiles for many other territories. As a result, Zurich was able to focus its product enhancements on changes that were highly valued by customers, enabling individuals and families to prepare for their future with the greatest possible confidence and peace of mind.