Strategic planning for future-ready enterprises
What we do
At Dow Schofield Watts, our business planning services are designed to help businesses set clear, actionable goals and create strategies for sustainable growth.
Our experienced team assist companies in developing robust, long-term plans that align with their visions and adapt to market dynamics.
Where we can help
Meet our people
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Financial Modelling
Forecasting into the future can be complex, whether it be trying to predict a company’s medium-term performance or a project vehicle’s ability to repay its finance and deliver a return to its shareholders. Our team has extensive experience of building financial models to support clients’ forecasting needs, whether are linked to a transaction, ongoing reporting requirements, or investment decisions. Our models are primarily based in Excel for flexibility, transparency and transportability, although they are often linked to client systems to allow efficient update and ongoing management. Financial models provide a structured way to project future cash flows, financing requirements, and potential returns, and they are widely used across companies, investment banks, and private equity firms. We pride ourselves on following best practice whilst keeping our models simple and ensuring that they are user-friendly and easily interpretable.
Incorporating client KPIs as outputs helps to ensure that the model can be easily sense checked and building in the ability for the user to easily flex key assumptions provides clients the ability to quickly respond to “what if?” questions. Whilst financial modelling can often be seen as a dark art, the most successful models are those which are straightforward, easy to use and readily interpretable. Effective models also accurately reflect underlying financial statements and clearly communicate assumptions and outputs. This outcome is our aim on each of our assignments and our approach to working closely with our clients means that the model-building process is transparent, so users and stakeholders understand the assumptions, methodology, and implications of the forecasts.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Being able to report financial and commercial data efficiently and accurately is crucial to any growing, dynamic business. We help our clients to transform their regular Reporting & Analysis from a burden to a refined process. Providing insightful, powerful and timely messages that are tailored to specific audiences, empowering their decision making.
We emphasise understanding the audience’s needs and expectations, ensuring reports deliver the right information to the right users, whether they are analysts, managers, or executives. We can leverage our expertise in programmes such as Power BI, Power Query and Excel to minimise the manual intervention required to generate Monthly Reporting and identify and highlight the key trends in large datasets. We follow best practices in data visualisation, including using appropriate chart types, maintaining minimalism and consistency in design, and applying context and storytelling to make insights clear and actionable. Furthermore, we can automate the output of the these via PowerPoint, Power BI and email/messaging; further streamlining the process and leaving our clients’ Finance Teams with the bandwidth to focus on delivering performance. By applying interactivity carefully, such as filters and drill-downs, we ensure reports are dynamic and clear, allowing users to explore data without confusion.
Public Sector Advisory
Our public sector advisory offering encompasses a range of services designed to support the financial operations of public sector clients. We provide strategic financial guidance to government entities and public sector bodies to help them plan, fund, and deliver critical infrastructure assets and public services, enhanced by robust fiscal management and planning. We emphasise the adoption of coherent frameworks and governance across the investment lifecycle, from strategic planning and budgeting through delivery and evaluation, which research shows is key to achieving sustainable, cost‑efficient outcomes.
We support clients in developing investment strategies, writing and evaluating investment business cases, structuring fiscally responsible projects, evaluating financing options and improving their financial reporting and analysis. Good practice emphasises that public bodies must develop complete, accurate and credible financial information, especially accrual‐based reporting, to assess long‑term liabilities, assets and fiscal sustainability. With a focus on value for money, affordability, and long-term sustainability, we help public sector entities make informed decisions that balance economic development goals and future social benefits with financial prudence.
Infrastructure Procurement and Project Finance
When procured well, public-private partnerships combine the strengths of the public and private sectors. We provide end-to-end advisory on public-private procurement, to help deliver value for money on complex infrastructure assets and projects. We support both public and private sector clients on procurement strategies, project structuring and risk valuation/allocation, ensuring projects are bankable, affordable, commercially robust and evidenced by fully integrated financial models. We emphasise early stage alignment of financing sources, risk ownership and procurement strategy, research shows that optimal risk allocation and lifecycle cost‑planning are key to project success
From early-stage feasibility and business case development through the procurement and bidding stages to financial close and beyond, we provide robust and practical financial advice to suit each individual client and project, enhancing efficiency at each stage of the procurement timeline and helping achieve the most optimum value for money and sustainable solution. Our advice also reinforces rigorous value‑for‑money assessment frameworks, including Public Sector Comparators and whole‑life costing, so that the chosen structure truly delivers better outcomes than conventional models. Our longstanding experience and relationships in the market ensure that we can develop deliverable project structures, including raising finance in support of them where required.
Why choose us
The power of a firm, the quality of a boutique.
Clients are guaranteed an experienced, quality team and a key contact at director or partner level, all backed by the wider resources of Dow Schofield Watts.
Built around your needs
We have built our services around the needs of our clients. We understand the unique position you occupy, the challenges you will face along the way and what your key drivers are. Our bespoke services are designed to create, protect and realise value at pivotal moments in your journey, supporting you in the most efficient way possible.
Decades of experience
Our Partners have been delivering financial modelling, business planning, project finance and public sector advisory advice for over 20 years. Our partner led approach means we bring this wealth of experience into every client engagement, and the diverse perspectives and knowledge from across the group allow us to reach the right outcomes at a pace unmatched in our industry.
An extension of your team
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients throughout our assignments. Our hands-on approach ensures you expand your own knowledge and skills and create deep, lasting relationships with some of the most talented individuals in business planning.
What our clients say
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"We have developed an excellent working relationship with the Dow Schofield Watts Business Planning team. Their financial and commercial advisory services have added strength and depth to our own internal team and a seamless integration has been achieved. We would not hesitate in recommending Dow Schofield Watts Business Planning for future work."
Jeremy Hartley, Chief Executive
Eric Wright Group
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“We have worked with Dow Schofield Watts Business Planning for over 3 years and have developed an excellent working relationship with them. I have found the team extremely professional, with a flexible approach and they have provided invaluable support to our business over the years. Becky has delivered an excellent service and I look forward to continue building our working relationship in the future. I would have no hesitation in recommending their services.”
Sean Latus – CFO
Calvin Capital
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The business planning team at Dow Schofield Watts have provided invaluable support to us over the years. The financial model they have developed with our team has been instrumental in supporting our business strategy, quickly and easily allowing us to model the impact of different growth scenarios, both organic and through M&A activities. The team are responsive and efficient, working seamlessly alongside us responding to investor and funder queries as they arise. I would happily recommend them and look forward to continuing our working relationship.
Daniel Bratton, Group CFO
Obsequio Group
Let’s talk about your business’ future
Take the first step towards strategic clarity and growth. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation with our expert team and discover how we can tailor our services to your unique needs.
How it works:
- Consultation: Start with an in-depth, complimentary assessment of your planning needs.
- Strategy: Work with our experts to design a comprehensive business plan.
- Implementation: Hands-on support until objectives are met.
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