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Case Studies

Real results from real businesses. Our work creates clarity so founders and boards can make better decisions—faster and with more confidence.

Newstone’s work is grounded in the realities of growing businesses: limited time, limited resources, and high expectations. While many client names are confidential, the themes are consistent—building finance functions that support real growth.

Security & Control-Room Business Scales to £4M

Challenge

  • A small electronic security business was launching with just two people. The founder had a strong commercial model and operational plan, but no finance function, controls, or management reporting. They needed someone who could build that from scratch and help them scale without losing control.

What We Did

  • Joined as Finance Director and Non-Executive Advisor, setting up the finance function from day one

  • Started with bookkeeping and basic accounts, then built effective management reporting frameworks as the business grew

  • Designed and implemented financial controls for cash, suppliers and contracts

  • Supported operations by designing systems, drafting procedures, mentoring staff and chairing management meetings at a strategic level

  • Helped shape the business as it expanded into two divisions: electronic security and a 24/7 control room

Outcome

The business grew from a two-person start-up into a stable, professional company with a turnover of around £4 million. The finance and operational foundations allowed it to scale confidently while maintaining control and visibility.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This case shows how we help founders build robust finance functions early on, so they can scale with clarity and control. Whether it’s a small services business or a multi-site operation, we design systems that support growth, not just compliance.

Swiss E-commerce Group Scales to €10M Before Acquisition

Challenge

A new E-commerce business was launching in Switzerland with big ambitions, but it was operating in a fast-paced environment with limited financial oversight. The founder needed a hands-on Finance Director to set up the accounting, reporting, and team as sales volumes grew rapidly.

What We Did

  • Joined as Finance Director and second team member, taking full ownership of the finance function from launch

  • Oversaw all accounting functions and set up the financial architecture (chart of accounts, reporting, controls)

  • Implemented daily management reporting so the leadership team could track performance in real time

  • Recruited and managed an internal finance team as the business scaled

  • Focused on turning financial data into practical insights for quick, confident decisions

Outcome

The business scaled to an annual turnover of €10 million. When the company was acquired the finance function was clean, well-documented and ready for integration.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This is typical of how we work with scaling E-commerce or fast-moving businesses: we build high-visibility, low-clutter reporting that supports rapid decision-making. We help founders stop flying blind and start steering based on live data.

 

Digital Marketing Agency Grows Operation

Challenge

A specialist digital marketing agency was struggling with its financial and operational foundations. The founders were passionate about the service but needed experienced support that could bridge both finance and operations to create a clearer path for sustainable growth.

What We Did

  • Joined as Finance Controller and later became Head of Operations, taking on a dual role

  • Built a proper financial function: reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy

  • Took operational oversight: managed sales processes, client contracts, training logistics and internal systems

  • Acted as a senior team member, helping to shape the business strategy and manage growth

  • Helped the agency move from a small, reactive model to a structured, scalable business

Outcome

The agency grew quickly from a startup to an SME business. It became a clear, well-managed organisation ready to move beyond the SME phase.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This case shows how we work at the intersection of finance and operations, especially in fast-growing service businesses. We help clients connect their numbers to their day-to-day reality, so they can grow without breaking what already works.

 

Clarity & Confidence for a Built Environment SaaS

Challenge

A SaaS company in the construction/building sector had strong product traction, but monthly meetings for the co-founders had become frustrating due to hard-to-interpret financial data, making it hard to plan growth and spend.

They needed a Finance Director who could simplify the numbers and make them truly useful.

What We Did

  • Joined as Finance Director with a clear mandate: improve financial clarity and reporting efficiency
  • Simplified bookkeeping practices and established clear, transparent reporting using Google Sheets

  • Restructured monthly finance meetings to focus on the strategic narrative, not just detailed reconciliations

  • Provided clear, board-level financial insight and advisory support on key decisions

Outcome

The business gained a clear, consistent financial picture and much greater confidence in decision-making. The team now focuses on insight and strategy, not just month-end admin.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This case reflects Newstone’s approach: we don’t just “do the numbers” — we make them meaningful. We help growth-stage businesses move from reactive accounting to proactive, board-ready financial management that drives real decisions.

 

From Expensive Guarding to Intelligent Monitoring

Challenge

A multi-site commercial workspace operator relied heavily on out-of-hours manned guarding across several locations. Costs were high, margins were thin, and traditional intruder alarms were ineffective because tenants needed 24/7 access. Management knew they were overspending on security but couldn’t see a safe alternative.

What We Did

  • Worked with the leadership team to map real usage patterns, risk points, and failure modes across sites

  • Designed an integrated security approach combining CCTV, access control, and audio, allowing doors to be monitored for forced entry and held-open events without blocking legitimate tenant access

  • Set up monitoring through the company’s in-house control room, with clear playbooks for operators and escalation routes for site teams

Outcome

Significant reduction in out-of-hours guarding costs while maintaining, and in places improving, security coverage. Faster, more consistent incident responses via direct audio challenge from the control room. Clear, board-level reporting on incidents, system performance, and cost savings, turning security from a "black box" cost into a managed, measurable function.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This case shows how Newstone combines operational insight with practical delivery. We don’t just recommend changes—we help implement them, measure them, and report on them at board level.

 

Elevating Operations for a Growing Property Business

Challenge

The founder of a regional serviced-office and flexible workspace operator had successfully launched an initial site but was struggling to replicate success in new locations. Fit-outs ran over budget, roles were unclear, and the business relied on a few key individuals to “hold everything together.” Finance and reporting lagged behind operations, making it hard to plan the next phase of growth.

What We Did

  • Used Jason’s background as a centre manager to define what “good” looks like operationally: roles, responsibilities, service standards, and escalation paths

  • Helped project-manage new-site fit-outs—from initial specification and security design through to handover and full occupancy—working closely with contractors and suppliers

  • Introduced basic but robust processes for sales tracking, incident management, and contractor control so each site could operate consistently

  • With Darren, aligned operational plans to a rolling forecast and cashflow model, so the board could see when and how to fund future openings

Outcome

New sites opened on more predictable timelines and closer to budget. Less dependency on individual heroes; clearer handbooks and procedures meant new staff could be onboarded faster. The founder gained confidence to plan the next phase of expansion, with a clearer view of both operational capacity and financial headroom.

RELEVANCE FOR NEWSTONE CLIENTS

This case demonstrates how Newstone bridges the gap between operations and finance. We help founders move from reactive firefighting to structured, scalable growth—with clear visibility at every stage.

 

In every case, the work goes beyond "just finance" or "just operations." We create clarity, so founders and boards can make better decisions—faster and with more confidence.

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If you would like anonymised examples relevant to your situation, we can share them in a first conversation.

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