top of page

Industry testimonials

What they say...

MIKE JONES

Managing Director, Aspiration Training

 

"We engaged Steve to help support a significant tender bid at relatively short notice.
From the start and throughout the process of working together, Steve was informed,
approachable and highly responsive. 

 

"He clearly understood the requirements of the tendering process, helping us to demonstrate clearly how we met and exceeded these requirements. Steve’s review of our final submission was thorough and well-informed, ensuring we were able to submit in a timely way what was to be a highly successful tender submission. 

"Steve was both professional and easy to work with and I would not hesitate to recommend him and his team to help ensure any tenders submitted are successful."

TRACEY MARSON-HOLLAND

Director, Martec Training

 

“Whenever we need a bid writing we always engage with Steve’s services as
we know our best bid will be put forward. Steve is so easy to work with and
makes the whole process straightforward. I would highly recommend him for
anybody looking at submitting a successful bid.”. 

IAN CARLIER

Momentic Limited

 

"I have worked with Steve on business development opportunities a number
of times over the years.

"He is a leading professional business development consultant and his ability to manage a tender process from end to end, bringing all the parts and people together, through his energetic, enthusiastic and infectious approach is not only highly successful, but enjoyable.

 

"Yes, business development can be enjoyable!"

 

CHRIS GROCOCK

Head of Engagements and Partnerships, Futures Group

“Steve came to us highly recommended at a difficult, but crucial time for the business
and he did not disappoint.

In May 2020, just as the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions were being felt, our Head of Business Development and senior Bid Writer left the company. Working alongside an Interim Head of Business Development and Researcher, Steve delivered a full review of the Futures BD functions, supported recruitment of a new team and delivered multiple high quality training workshops as part of plan to hone and improve how Futures approached business development and bid writing.

As well as this strategic development, Steve was involved in setting the key growth objectives for the company and led on several vital bids, helping Futures secure contracts from the European Social Fund (IP 1 – Access to Employment and IP2 – Skills for Growth), Apprenticeship-levy paying employers (Suffolk County Council, the NHS), and key welfare-to-work contracts with DWP (Kickstart and Restart).

As of April ’21, the net result of Steve’s support is that Futures has had its most successful year in terms of income growth, securing approximately £45m of new contracts, including the largest contract we have ever won on DWP Restart, working with Maximus in Nottinghamshire.

SCLO consulting has provided essential support to Futures at a critical time, putting us in a stronger growth position that we could have imagined 11 months ago. I would highly recommend Steve O’Hare to other clients across the employment, skills and careers sector."

SAFARAZ ALI

CEO and co-founder of The Pathway Group

"I have known Steve for over 10 years and started working with him because of his track
record of success.
There are many providers and support organisations out there but
SCLO has helped us with company growth and supported us with the challenges and
complexities we have dealt with over the years. He has also helped us with change management too.

 

"Steve is very consultative and supportive. He has got a very flexible approach and good manner. Crucially, he is a nice guy too.

 

"He is very switched on and SCLO really understand the value and necessity for ROI. Steve is commercially astute and understand the obstacles we face as a business and an industry.

 

"SCLO understands value and are creative and innovative thinkers. Steve has had a lasting impact not only on our business but on me personally too."

Screenshot 2022-02-28 at 13.32.00.png
Screenshot 2020-07-22 17.50.00.png
Screenshot 2021-05-12 at 16.29.16.png
Screenshot 2022-02-28 at 14.18.59.png
Screenshot 2022-04-07 at 11.46.59.png


ANGELA ALLAN

Programme Director, NCFE

“Steve has supported us on a high priority bid and played a crucial role within our bid team. 

He was enthusiastic and dedicated from the start, got on really well with all our teams, and made a
significant contribution to the development and submission of our proposal. 


"I would recommend Steve to anyone looking for support with tender management and writing.”

Screenshot 2020-03-11 10.32.00.png

SACHA CROWE

Head of Business Development, Seetec

"We engaged Steve to support us on a large and high priority bid and Steve made an excellent
contribution and was great to have as a member of the team. I would recommend Steve to anyone
looking for business development expertise."

Screenshot 2020-01-10 10.27.15.png

DAVID PRESCOD

MD, Digital Marketing Mentor

"Like many training providers, we existed with a fragmented process for tendering and completing
bids for a range of frameworks and training opportunities. SCLO Consulting undertook an initial
assessment of our gaps and requirements. They then served to put together a plan which gave
us a structure and approach which enabled us to operate efficiently and in a timely manner to
capitalise on opportunities. 


"We were also made aware of significant opportunities which we had missed plus given advice and guidance as to the forthcoming changes within the sector.


"It is easy to assess the huge value that Steve and his team have brought to our organisation as magnificent. Our expectations have been exceeded. I must conclude that it is the professionalism with which the process was undertaken that I found refreshing. We see SCLO Consulting as an extension of our business and will continue to utilise them to stay on the pulse in an ever-changing education industry."

 

MARK CAPPER

Head of Development, Mencap

"Steve reviewed our application for the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP).

 

"He was really helpful in identifying areas we needed to emphasise areas of strength and where
we needed greater depth to our responses.

 

"We were really pleased with Steve’s input and our application was successful."

SIMON ASHWORTH

 

Director of Policy, AELP (Association of Employment & Learning Providers)

"Steve has been one our trusted associates for a number of years now, running multiple in-depth
webinars and workshops to support our members with various tender type activity.

 

"Over the years Steve has successfully delivered high quality informative and practical sessions on applying and reapplying to the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP), procurement rounds for non-levy apprenticeship funding, adult education budget (national and devolved).

 

"More recently Steve has supported with sessions on securing national skills funding, including skills bootcamps and the rollout of the new dynamic purchasing system."

JULIE SHAWCROSS

 

BPP

"I have worked with Steve for many years and knowing the quality of his work, had no hesitation in securing his services to support a number of our recent bid submissions.

"He is professional, responsive and produces work of an excellent standard. We would not hesitate to use him again in the future. Thank you for all your hard work."

Screenshot 2022-02-28 at 16.11.56.png
Screenshot 2022-04-26 at 15.56.28.png
Screenshot 2023-04-03 at 15.57.38.png
Screenshot 2023-12-12 at 16.43.36.png

Workshop and webinar feedback

What they say...

GEMMA WILSON

College of Animal Welfare

"Loads of information provided. Very helpful, much better insight on how and what to include in tender items/questions."

KATY LENNON

Progress to Excellence

"Some great people in the room and good level of involvement from all. Very beneficial."

MARK WESTWOOD

Entrust

"Informative and easy to understand. Group sessions good and good introductions."

SAM BROOMHALL

Juniper Training

"Steve delivered a very informative and comprehensive session. Even though we are aware of devolved AEB requirements, the session has provided structure, background and a thorough understanding of bid content.

"My aim for the session was to have a better understanding of the role we play in the GMCA & WMCA devolved agendas. I'm confident I now have a clear direction of travel and what is required
to get there! Thank you."

CHRIS ROBERTS

Fleetmaster Training

"Really informative session and well delivered. I now have a much better understanding on bid tenders and processes."

PRIMROSE CAMPBELL

Central Training Academy

"Steve delivered a great event, his knowledge is vast in terms of tendering."

GILL CRESWELL

Health Education England

"Very informative event. Interesting to see how Steve modified delivery to meet HEI needs."

JULIA WATLING

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

"Very useful. Thank you. Lots to take away and prepare in advance of our (RoATP) application."

bottom of page