Sector: Digital marketing
Location: Leeds
Services: Proactive advisory · Financial systems · Strategic support
The problem: new business owners figuring it out as they went along
When Guy Weston and his co-founder Andy started Creode in 2011, they knew digital marketing. Running a business was a different matter entirely.
They were making it up as they went along, struggling to weigh up the risks and rewards of staffing decisions, office costs, and growth investments. They had no proper financial controls, and an accountant who showed up once a year and contributed nothing.
“Our initial accountant was just involved once a year and did not really contribute anything to the business. But we didn’t know what an accountant should bring.”
The slow pace of change forced a decision. If the business was going to grow, they needed to step up their financial systems and find someone who actually understood what that meant.
The turning point
After a few years, Guy realised the financials needed someone on them properly, full-time. That realisation, combined with some anxiety about what changing might involve, led them to Ascentis.
What changed: understanding the numbers, making better decisions
The difference was immediate. Ascentis helped Guy and Andy read their accounts and understand what the numbers were actually saying about their finances, their operations, and their sales.
“We get more support each and every month with Ascentis than we did in a whole year with our old accountant.”
That support became critical. At one point, the business reached a moment where the founders didn’t feel it had a future. Ascentis calmly laid out their options and put together a six-month plan.
“I honestly think that without Ascentis we would not be here.”
The ongoing relationship
Creode now thinks about the business differently. More focus on utilisation and productivity. Higher confidence. A clear sense of direction for the next stage of growth, including plans to fund that growth and put in place the systems to control it.
Ascentis remains a key partner in that journey.
What Creode got from working with Ascentis
- Monthly support — not one annual meeting
- Real insight into what the numbers mean for the business
- Options and clarity during a genuinely difficult period
- A strategic partner for the next stage of growth
“We know we are not on our own. Ascentis has helped us with anything and everything.”
If you would like to speak to us to see how we can help your business contact us today!