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Ascent Advisory Services supports business leaders in two important and complementary ways, what is said and what is done.
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What is said and what is done
We help identify the way ahead, articulate the right story to tell, and then provide implementation guidance, tracking progress and building stakeholder consensus along the way.
Decades long relationships and multiple examples of clients coming back to us over the years is clear testimony to our success and the results achieved.
11+
Average length of current client relationships, in years
3.5+
Average number of contracts with existing clients
Ascent Advisory Services supports business leaders in two important and complementary ways.
Peter Lyall
What is said: Crafting your narrative
We connect strategy and positioning, crafting a compelling brand story that captures attention and differentiates you from the competition. We focus on reshaping perceptions, creating inspiring stories that resonate with your most important stakeholders from staff, to clients and investors.
Alison Lyall
What is done: Measuring your impact
A great story needs proof of impact and effectiveness. We ensure there is complete alignment between strategy and delivery, providing guidance on structure, prioritisation, planning and performance. This ensures that everyone in your business has an investor mindset and knows how they contribute to the outcomes your investors expect.
Now based in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, inspired by its vast wilderness and timeless beauty, the Ascent team prides itself on finding new perspectives. As nature finds a way, so we can work with you to navigate rocky terrain and troubled waters.
Our Process
From vision to value
We follow a disciplined, three-stage approach to ensure your brand's narrative is perfectly aligned with measurable business outcomes.
STEP 1
Direction & Discovery
We start by building clarity of, and consensus behind your vision, value drivers and strategy.
We confirm what good looks like with investors and customers, linking strategy and value drivers to a prioritised set of actions and deliverables. We work closely with the leadership team and others to ensure business alignment behind desired outcomes.
STEP 2
Planning & Alignment
Next, using proven creative techniques, we develop the (new) positioning and corporate narrative. We formulate stakeholder engagement plans to deliver the new story and achieve the desire outcomes.
At the same time, we also create a bespoke Value Management Framework to connect what is said to what is done.
STEP 3
Progress & Measurement
Finally, we track your ascent. We oversee the execution of your communications plan, refining it based on real-world feedback.
To prove its effectiveness, we develop custom dashboards (Value Maps), providing empirical evidence that what is done matches what is said using lagging and leading KPIs.
The Ascent team brings rigorous and proven processes and methodologies to address these dilemmas.
Step 1
focuses on Direction and Discovery
Step 2
Planning and Alignment
Step 3
Progress and Measurement.
DILEMMAS
When the way isn’t clear, you know there are tough questions to be faced.
Sometimes the answers are obvious, and you crack on. But when you need practical guidance, we have the expertise to help you find the way.
Mountain to climb?
Dark clouds gathering?
When you’re underway with your change programme, but things are stalling and it’s not quite going to plan, it can help to front up to the tough questions:
Is the project still the priority that it was?
Did you resource the project properly?
Were initial expectations realistic?
Are your key stakeholders still properly informed, and on board?
Work with the Ascent team to find your answers.
OUR APPROACH
The right tools for the job
Every challenge is unique. We draw from a variety of proven techniques including in-depth qualitative interviews, collaborative workshops, data analysis, and creative development. We also bring in specialist partners to ensure you always have the best expertise on hand.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Expertise across key industries
Our directors have a strong track record of delivering significant projects for businesses in the UK, Europe and the Americas. We have deep experience in the energy, consulting, transportation, financial, and maritime sectors. Client references are available upon request.
CASE STUDIES
A Global Energy Services Company
OUR APPROACH
Post acquisition a proud and very well-established global engineering business serving the energy market had become the classic hidden gem. The go-to-market strategy dictated that the focus was on the parent brand, with reduced visibility for the operating companies. However, with a change of strategy and potential divestment, the opportunity arose for the business to show its face to the market once again.
The Ascent Solution
Following a classic and proven process of discovery, strategy development and then brand positioning, Ascent worked very closely with the international leadership team to identify and articulate the essence of the business. With a new set of messages in place, guidance followed on internal and external implementation.
100%
Restoration of team pride and internal commitment to the new story. Watch this space for what happened next.
Major UK Railway Infrastructure Provider
Outcome
A new business model based on locally devolved ‘sub-value’ centres was introduced which reconnected the value chain on the frontline. New reporting and planning tools that made visible a single line of sight between rhetoric and reality. It was an inversion of the pyramid, hailed as a gamechanger for the industry and proof that Great Brish Railways (GBR) is possible.
The Challenge
To prove that the ambition of Great British Railways (GBR) could be realised within one region of the national rail infrastructure provider that included the largest UK city, a large rural area and devolved nation and multiple stakeholders.
The Ascent Solution
A comparative analysis was undertaken to assess the size of the gap between the ambition of Great British Railways (GBR) and the current state of the railways in the region. It became clear that structure was the greatest barrier to change. A functional, centralising business model had created a fragmented value chain on the frontline, created a culture of ‘them and us’ with those closest to customers disconnected from the outcomes they needed.
Global Engineering & Technology Services Business
The Challenge
Following acquisition by new investors and the appointment of a new leadership team, a global engineering & technology services business set about professionalising itself. A radical overhaul followed covering everything from systems and processes to performance management, product development and training. In time, attention turned to Sales & Marketing, a contentious subject, given historical scepticism and a traditional focus on person-to-person relationship “selling”.
The Ascent Solution
Tasked with demonstrating the significant business benefits of modern sales & marketing activity to senior team members from across the business, the Ascent team created and delivered short, impactful, interactive training sessions. Building on many years of direct experience, illustrated with pertinent case studies, and by firmly anchoring the tactical activity within the business’s agreed strategic intent, levels of acceptance and understanding rose visibly.
Immersion: Repeated requests have followed for the sessions to be repeated across the business, with a fundamental reappraisal of customer acquisition and retention strategies.
National Financial Services and Advisory Business
The Challenge
Despite it’s success and regional growth this financial services and advisory business was routinely troubled by its perceived positioning. Whilst internally the strategic logic of how the various service lines knitted together was clear, unfortunately to those on the outside, the connections, synergies and benefits were just not obvious. As work progressed on developing a new website, help was required to articulate the business’s very essence and what it could offer in the round.
The Ascent Solution
For a business in a hurry, the Ascent team was able to tailor its proven process, whilst not compromising on quality. Working closely and collaboratively with the senior team, experience and process combined to reveal the necessary insight. A new narrative emerged clearly articulating the value to be gained by clients when working across the piece with this unique business.
CASE STUDIES
A Global Energy Services Company
OUR APPROACH
Post acquisition a proud and very well-established global engineering business serving the energy market had become the classic hidden gem. The go-to-market strategy dictated that the focus was on the parent brand, with reduced visibility for the operating companies. However, with a change of strategy and potential divestment, the opportunity arose for the business to show its face to the market once again.
The Ascent Solution
Following a classic and proven process of discovery, strategy development and then brand positioning, Ascent worked very closely with the international leadership team to identify and articulate the essence of the business. With a new set of messages in place, guidance followed on internal and external implementation.
100%
Restoration of team pride and internal commitment to the new story. Watch this space for what happened next.
Major UK Railway Infrastructure Provider
The Challenge
To prove that the ambition of ‘Great British Railways’ [GBR] could be realised within one region of the national rail infrastructure provider that included the largest UK city, a large rural area and devolved nation and multiple stakeholders.
The Ascent Solution
A comparative analysis was undertaken to assess the size of the gap between the ambition of GBR and the current state of the railways in the region. It became clear that structure was the greatest barrier to change. A functional, centralising business model had created a fragmented value chain on the frontline, created a culture of ‘them and us’ with those closest to customers disconnected from the outcomes they needed.
Outcome
A new business model based on locally devolved ‘sub-value’ centres was introduced which reconnected the value chain on the frontline with new reporting and planning tools that made visible a single line of sight between rhetoric and reality. It was an inversion of the pyramid, hailed as a gamechanger for the industry and proof that GBR is possible.
Global Engineering & Technology Services Business
The Challenge
Following acquisition by new investors and the appointment of a new leadership team, a global engineering & technology services business set about professionalising itself. A radical overhaul followed covering everything from systems and processes to performance management, product development and training. In time, attention turned to Sales & Marketing, a contentious subject, given historical scepticism and a traditional focus on person-to-person relationship “selling”.
The Ascent Solution
Tasked with demonstrating the significant business benefits of modern sales & marketing activity to senior team members from across the business, the Ascent team created and delivered short, impactful, interactive training sessions. Building on many years of direct experience, illustrated with pertinent case studies, and by firmly anchoring the tactical activity within the business’s agreed strategic intent, levels of acceptance and understanding rose visibly.
Immersion: Repeated requests have followed for the sessions to be repeated across the business, with a fundamental reappraisal of customer acquisition and retention strategies.
National Financial Services and Advisory Business
The Challenge
Despite it’s success and regional growth this financial services and advisory business was routinely troubled by its perceived positioning. Whilst internally the strategic logic of how the various service lines knitted together was clear, unfortunately to those on the outside, the connections, synergies and benefits were just not obvious. As work progressed on developing a new website, help was required to articulate the business’s very essence and what it could offer in the round.
The Ascent Solution
For a business in a hurry, the Ascent team was able to tailor its proven process, whilst not compromising on quality. Working closely and collaboratively with the senior team, experience and process combined to reveal the necessary insight. A new narrative emerged clearly articulating the value to be gained by clients when working across the piece with this unique business.
A Global Energy Services Company
OUR APPROACH
Post acquisition a proud and very well-established global engineering business serving the energy market had become the classic hidden gem. The go-to-market strategy dictated that the focus was on the parent brand, with reduced visibility for the operating companies. However, with a change of strategy and potential divestment, the opportunity arose for the business to show its face to the market once again.
The Ascent Solution
Following a classic and proven process of discovery, strategy development and then brand positioning, Ascent worked very closely with the international leadership team to identify and articulate the essence of the business. With a new set of messages in place, guidance followed on internal and external implementation.
100%
Restoration of team pride and internal commitment to the new story. Watch this space for what happened next.
Major UK Railway Infrastructure Provider
The Challenge
To prove that the ambition of ‘Great British Railways’ [GBR] could be realised within one region of the national rail infrastructure provider that included the largest UK city, a large rural area and devolved nation and multiple stakeholders.
The Ascent Solution
A comparative analysis was undertaken to assess the size of the gap between the ambition of GBR and the current state of the railways in the region. It became clear that structure was the greatest barrier to change. A functional, centralising business model had created a fragmented value chain on the frontline, created a culture of ‘them and us’ with those closest to customers disconnected from the outcomes they needed.
Outcome
A new business model based on locally devolved ‘sub-value’ centres was introduced which reconnected the value chain on the frontline with new reporting and planning tools that made visible a single line of sight between rhetoric and reality. It was an inversion of the pyramid, hailed as a gamechanger for the industry and proof that GBR is possible.
Global Engineering & Technology Services Business
The Challenge
Following acquisition by new investors and the appointment of a new leadership team, a global engineering & technology services business set about professionalising itself. A radical overhaul followed covering everything from systems and processes to performance management, product development and training. In time, attention turned to Sales & Marketing, a contentious subject, given historical scepticism and a traditional focus on person-to-person relationship “selling”.
The Ascent Solution
Tasked with demonstrating the significant business benefits of modern sales & marketing activity to senior team members from across the business, the Ascent team created and delivered short, impactful, interactive training sessions. Building on many years of direct experience, illustrated with pertinent case studies, and by firmly anchoring the tactical activity within the business’s agreed strategic intent, levels of acceptance and understanding rose visibly.
Immersion: Repeated requests have followed for the sessions to be repeated across the business, with a fundamental reappraisal of customer acquisition and retention strategies.
National Financial Services and Advisory Business
The Challenge
Despite it’s success and regional growth this financial services and advisory business was routinely troubled by its perceived positioning. Whilst internally the strategic logic of how the various service lines knitted together was clear, unfortunately to those on the outside, the connections, synergies and benefits were just not obvious. As work progressed on developing a new website, help was required to articulate the business’s very essence and what it could offer in the round.
The Ascent Solution
For a business in a hurry, the Ascent team was able to tailor its proven process, whilst not compromising on quality. Working closely and collaboratively with the senior team, experience and process combined to reveal the necessary insight. A new narrative emerged clearly articulating the value to be gained by clients when working across the piece with this unique business.
A Global Energy Services Company
OUR APPROACH
Post acquisition a proud and very well-established global engineering business serving the energy market had become the classic hidden gem. The go-to-market strategy dictated that the focus was on the parent brand, with reduced visibility for the operating companies. However, with a change of strategy and potential divestment, the opportunity arose for the business to show its face to the market once again.
The Ascent Solution
Following a classic and proven process of discovery, strategy development and then brand positioning, Ascent worked very closely with the international leadership team to identify and articulate the essence of the business. With a new set of messages in place, guidance followed on internal and external implementation.
100%
Restoration of team pride and internal commitment to the new story. Watch this space for what happened next.
Major UK Railway Infrastructure Provider
The Challenge
To prove that the ambition of ‘Great British Railways’ [GBR] could be realised within one region of the national rail infrastructure provider that included the largest UK city, a large rural area and devolved nation and multiple stakeholders.
The Ascent Solution
A comparative analysis was undertaken to assess the size of the gap between the ambition of GBR and the current state of the railways in the region. It became clear that structure was the greatest barrier to change. A functional, centralising business model had created a fragmented value chain on the frontline, created a culture of ‘them and us’ with those closest to customers disconnected from the outcomes they needed.
Outcome
A new business model based on locally devolved ‘sub-value’ centres was introduced which reconnected the value chain on the frontline with new reporting and planning tools that made visible a single line of sight between rhetoric and reality. It was an inversion of the pyramid, hailed as a gamechanger for the industry and proof that GBR is possible.
Global Engineering & Technology Services Business
The Challenge
Following acquisition by new investors and the appointment of a new leadership team, a global engineering & technology services business set about professionalising itself. A radical overhaul followed covering everything from systems and processes to performance management, product development and training. In time, attention turned to Sales & Marketing, a contentious subject, given historical scepticism and a traditional focus on person-to-person relationship “selling”.
The Ascent Solution
Tasked with demonstrating the significant business benefits of modern sales & marketing activity to senior team members from across the business, the Ascent team created and delivered short, impactful, interactive training sessions. Building on many years of direct experience, illustrated with pertinent case studies, and by firmly anchoring the tactical activity within the business’s agreed strategic intent, levels of acceptance and understanding rose visibly.
Immersion: Repeated requests have followed for the sessions to be repeated across the business, with a fundamental reappraisal of customer acquisition and retention strategies.
National Financial Services and Advisory Business
The Challenge
Despite it’s success and regional growth this financial services and advisory business was routinely troubled by its perceived positioning. Whilst internally the strategic logic of how the various service lines knitted together was clear, unfortunately to those on the outside, the connections, synergies and benefits were just not obvious. As work progressed on developing a new website, help was required to articulate the business’s very essence and what it could offer in the round.
The Ascent Solution
For a business in a hurry, the Ascent team was able to tailor its proven process, whilst not compromising on quality. Working closely and collaboratively with the senior team, experience and process combined to reveal the necessary insight. A new narrative emerged clearly articulating the value to be gained by clients when working across the piece with this unique business.
“Ascent has provided the type of strategic thinking and support that has been more than just a reflection for our team. It has resulted in practical and visible transformation. Crucially, it has helped us disrupt the status quo and shape our business for the future.”
Senior Manager
Regional Transport Infrastructure Provider
“Although we knew that working in IT was new for Ascent, we were confident, given its reputation in the branding world, that Ascent was the obvious choice. And we were right. In partnership we offered the right mix of skills and expertise to create and launch a new IT brand into a new market, delivering a win-win-win for us, Ascent and above all, our client. Delighted with their new identity, narrative and brand portfolio structure, they have commissioned us to collaborate again on taking their new brand even further.”
Principals
European B-2-B Agency
“Following the Sales and Marketing session delivered by Ascent, our team immediately applied what we learned to redesign a sales conference planned for the following February. The session directly influenced how we approached customers — with a clearer value proposition, the right communication channels, and a stronger partnership between sales and marketing.”
Senior Strategic Marketing Manager
Global Engineering & Technology Services business
"We engaged with Ascent Advisory to help with our 'go to market' proposition alongside a brand refresh. Our whole team found the process engaging and thought provoking. There was real value in Peter's thorough approach and he led the sessions with vision and insight. If you are finding challenges with getting your own proposition across to customers I would recommend Peter to dissect your business and help you extract the full value out of what you do."
CEO
Professional Services firm
TESTIMONIALS
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Ascent Advisory Services
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+44 7818 567 656
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