Innovation, Marketing & Growth Strategy
Find your next stage of growth and a practical route to reach it — from positioning and marketing to new product and process development.
SME coaching & consulting · Peterborough & UK-wide
Turn challenges into opportunities. Turn plans into results.
Chris Roberts Associates helps ambitious small and medium-sized businesses clarify strategy, strengthen leadership and grow — with practical, budget-friendly solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. Real experience, alongside you, not from the sidelines.
35+ years' experience
100+ years across the team
CMI accredited
Deliverable Guarantee
35+
years advising
SME owners
SME owners
100+
years of experience
across our team
across our team
CMI
Level 5 · Strategy
& Leadership
& Leadership
0
Years advising business owners
0
Years of experience across the team
0
Clients supported, large and small
0
Trading since — as MIT Consultants
Growth doesn't happen by accident.
It happens by design.
The best businesses don't wait for change — they create it. We work alongside you to find the real problems, get to their causes, agree the priorities, and put practical solutions in place that move the numbers.
No jargon. No 200-page reports that gather dust. Just clear thinking, honest advice and hands-on delivery from people who've built businesses themselves.
Helping leaders turn ideas into growth. Chris Roberts Associates · est. 2002
What we do
Practical help, where it makes the biggest difference
Six focused ways we help SME owners and leadership teams move forward — chosen for impact, priced to be affordable, and always delivered hands-on.
Investment & Exit Readiness
Get investor-ready or exit-ready with clear plans, robust financials and the story that gives buyers and funders real confidence.
Operations, Productivity & Sustainability
Streamline how the business runs. Lean, measurable improvements that lift productivity, efficiency and sustainability — and protect margins.
Practical, Low-Cost AI Solutions
Simple, affordable AI that saves real time and lifts ROI — no hype, no huge budgets. (Yes, you can meet Billy Bot.)
Executive & Team Coaching
Coaching for founders and leadership teams in growth, leadership, performance and accountability — so good plans actually get done.
Funding & Grants Strategy
Identify the right funding and grants, then build compelling applications and cases that unlock the investment your growth needs.
How you can work with us
Flexible ways to get the help you need
Whether you want a one-off piece of work with a guaranteed outcome, or a steady hand over the months ahead, there's a way to work together that fits.
Advisory & Consulting Projects
A focused piece of work with a clear scope — a strategy, plan, financial model or improvement programme.
- Defined scope & timeline
- Backed by our Deliverable Guarantee
- Hands-on delivery, not just advice
Coaching & Mentoring
Ongoing 1:1 or team coaching for founders and leaders — growth, leadership, performance and accountability.
- Regular sessions at your pace
- For individuals or whole teams
- Focused on real accountability
AI & Productivity Sprints
Short, low-cost engagements that put practical AI and process improvements to work fast — and prove the ROI.
- Quick wins in weeks, not months
- Practical, low-cost tools
- Measured against real ROI
Investment & Exit Readiness
A structured programme to get you funding-ready or exit-ready: the plan, the numbers and the narrative.
- Robust plan & financial model
- The story funders & buyers want
- Confidence for the big moment
How we work
A simple, honest way of working
We identify the problem, its causes and your priorities — then overcome the obstacles and implement practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.
Understand
We listen properly and dig into the real problems, their causes and what matters most to you.
Plan
We agree a focused, practical plan with clear priorities and guaranteed deliverables.
Deliver
We roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to implement — not just advise and leave.
Grow
We measure outcomes, build momentum and give you the confidence to keep going.
Who we help
SMEs across every sector
From the shop floor to the boardroom, we've helped owner-managed and growing businesses of all kinds. A few we know especially well:
Manufacturing & Engineering
Technology & SaaS
Professional Services
Construction & Trades
Food & Drink
Retail & E-commerce
Logistics & Distribution
Healthcare & Care
Not on the list? If you're an ambitious SME of 10–250 people, we can almost certainly help.
“The most rewarding work is with SMEs, where our support makes a real difference.”
Chris Roberts
Why Chris Roberts Associates
People who've actually been there
Over 100 years of practical, solutions-based experience across our team — from people who have built businesses, sold them, and learnt just as much from the failures as the wins.
Been there, done it
Team members who've founded, built and sold real businesses — not just read about it.
Practical, not theoretical
Straight-talking advice and hands-on delivery that fits the real world of a busy SME.
Budget-friendly & fair
Competitive pricing designed for SMEs — real value, with no surprises.
Local & UK-wide
Based in Peterborough — in person within 70 miles, and remotely with any UK business.
Ready when you are
Not sure where to start? Start with a conversation.
Book a free 30-minute call. We'll listen, ask a few sharp questions, and point you towards the next practical step — whether or not you decide to work with us.
Since
2002
2002
About us
Ambitious SMEs, turning plans into results
“The most rewarding work has always been with SME businesses — where our support can make a big difference and is truly valued.”
I've been in technology, business coaching and consulting for over 35 years, and have helped thousands of clients large and small. I launched my own consulting business in 2002 as MIT Consultants, and along the way I've founded and built several businesses — with successes and failures, and a lot learnt from both.
At Chris Roberts Associates, our small team collectively has well over 100 years of business experience. We provide coaching, mentoring, advisory and consulting that helps founders and leadership teams clarify strategy, strengthen leadership and achieve sustainable growth — working alongside you to identify problems, agree priorities, overcome obstacles and implement practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes.
Chris Roberts
Owner & Principal Coach / Consultant
CMI Level 5 · Strategy & Leadership
The people
A team that's built businesses, not just advised them
Chris Roberts
Owner & Principal Consultant
Phil Sanger
Associate Consultant
James McGilvray
Associate Consultant
Mo Fakhir
Associate Consultant
Sam Hardingham
Associate Consultant
Chao Liu
AI & Technology
Together, over 100 years of hands-on business experience — ready to get stuck in alongside you.
Our promise
The Deliverable Guarantee
We guarantee the specific, agreed outputs of your engagement — your business plan, financial model, strategy or programme — completed to a professional standard, by the deadline we set together. Clear scope, clear outcomes, no drift.
Good to know
Questions, answered
The things owners usually want to know before we start. If yours isn't here, just ask — we're straight-talking and there's never any pressure.
Prefer to talk? 07760 227389It starts with a free, no-obligation conversation. We'll get to grips with where you are and where you want to get to, then send a clear proposal with a defined scope, timeline and guaranteed deliverables. No jargon, no hard sell.
Our pricing is deliberately budget-friendly and competitive. Most work is priced per project or programme, and we'll always give you a clear quote up front after the first conversation — so there are never any surprises.
Both. We work in person with businesses within about 70 miles of Peterborough, and remotely with ambitious businesses anywhere in the UK — whatever suits you best.
It's our promise that the specific, agreed outputs of your engagement — a business plan, financial model, strategy or programme — will be completed to a professional standard, by the deadline we set together. Clear scope, clear outcomes.
Not at all — it's exactly who we love working with. Our sweet spot is SMEs of roughly 10 to 250 people, where the right support makes a real, visible difference and is genuinely valued.
Yes — and it doesn't need a big budget. We focus on simple, practical tools that save time and improve ROI. Ask us about Billy Bot and the quiet places AI could start earning its keep for you.
Usually within a week or two of our first call, depending on scope. If something's urgent, tell us — we'll always do our best to move quickly.
Proof
Trusted by owners across the UK
Real outcomes, in the words of the people we work with.
“
Chris cuts through the noise and gets you to the decisions that matter. Practical, honest, and genuinely on your side.
Manufacturing SME
“
We went from a good idea to an investment-ready plan in weeks. The financial model alone paid for the engagement many times over.
Tech & services scale-up
“
The team coaching changed how our leaders work together. More accountability, better performance, real momentum.
Professional services firm
Insights
Practical ideas you can use
Growth
Why growth is a process, not a one-off plan
The businesses that grow on purpose treat it as a habit, not a document you write once and file away. Here's the simple rhythm we use with clients.
Read on LinkedIn
AI & Productivity
Five low-cost AI wins for a busy SME
You don't need a big budget or a data team. Five practical places where AI can quietly save you hours every week — starting this month.
Read on LinkedIn
Funding
Getting investment-ready: what funders really look for
Beyond the numbers, funders back clarity and confidence. What to have ready — and what to leave out — before you make the ask.
Read on LinkedInGet in touch
Let's have a proper conversation
Tell us where you're trying to get to. We'll come back within one working day with honest, practical next steps — no pressure, no jargon.
Thank you — message sent
We'll be in touch within one working day. If it's urgent, call 07760 227389.