HENLEY CHANGE CONSULTING LTD

Executive Summary

Henley Change Consulting Ltd is a micro-sized firm operating within the UK management consultancy sector, focusing on change management advisory. Recent financials reveal a decline in liquidity and net assets, reflecting common early-stage pressures in a competitive market with growing demand for specialised consultancy services. Positioned as a niche player, the company faces challenges typical for small consultancies but may leverage its local presence and bespoke service offering to build resilience.

HENLEY CHANGE CONSULTING LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 12716386

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 16:29 UTC

1. Industry Classification
   Henley Change Consulting Ltd is classified under SIC code 70229, corresponding to "Management consultancy activities other than financial management." This sector primarily involves providing advisory services focused on business transformation, operational improvement, change management, and strategic consulting excluding financial management. It is a sub-sector of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry, characterised by knowledge-intensive services, minimal capital expenditure, and reliance on human capital and intellectual property. Companies typically range from sole proprietorship consultancies to large multinational firms.

2. Relative Performance
   Henley Change Consulting Ltd is an active private limited company incorporated in 2020 and currently operates as a micro to small entity by size standards. The latest financial year ending March 31, 2024, shows a significant decline in financial position compared to prior years:

• Net assets have swung from a positive £100 in 2023 to a negative £267 in 2024.
• Cash holdings drastically reduced from £39,412 in 2023 to only £286 in 2024.
• Current liabilities remain relatively low but have slightly increased to £553.
• Shareholders’ funds deteriorated from a positive £39,412 in 2023 to negative £267 in 2024.

This financial weakening contrasts with typical management consultancy firms, which generally maintain positive working capital and net assets due to ongoing client engagements and fee income. The company’s financials indicate either a period of reduced revenue generation, increased expenditures, or possibly director loans affecting liquidity. Given its size and early stage, it is likely operating in a niche or startup phase rather than as an established competitor.

3. Sector Trends Impact
   The UK management consultancy sector has experienced mixed conditions recently. On one hand, digital transformation, sustainability consulting, and organisational change remain strong growth drivers, especially in the post-pandemic recovery phase. On the other hand, smaller consultancies face increasing competition from large firms and freelance consultants, price pressure, and client budget constraints. The sector is also influenced by economic uncertainties such as inflation and geopolitical risks, which can reduce discretionary consulting spend.
   For a small entity like Henley Change Consulting Ltd, these dynamics suggest challenges in securing stable contracts and maintaining cash flow, explaining recent financial strain. However, market demand for specialised consultancy in change management remains robust for firms that can differentiate services.

4. Competitive Positioning
   Henley Change Consulting Ltd operates as a micro-sized, likely niche player within the management consultancy sector. Strengths include:

• Low operating overhead typical of small consultancies.
• Potential for personalised, flexible client services.
• Location in Henley-On-Thames may offer access to affluent SME clients and regional businesses.

Weaknesses relative to sector norms include:

• Negative net assets and minimal cash reserves indicating financial vulnerability.
• Limited scale and resources compared to established consultancy firms.
• Dependence on a single director-consultant (Mr Timothy Bianek), which may constrain capacity and business continuity.
• Absence of auditable financials and limited public disclosure restricts transparency for potential clients or investors.

Overall, Henley Change Consulting Ltd does not currently exhibit characteristics of a sector leader or significant follower but rather a small, emerging consultancy facing typical early-stage challenges in a competitive and evolving market.