Menu
Providing an all-encompassing consultancy service to multiple sectors, we have extensive experience and expertise in the director-level commissioning of services, bidding for public and private contracts, coaching/mentoring, public speaking as well as CQC/HIW compliance, team development and contract management.
Our dedicated team ensures the delivery of our tailored, bespoke services by working in partnership with our clients to deliver timely, impactful and high quality results. Click on the links below to meet the team.
Director / Founder
Director / Founder
Richard’s speciality is in financial management, business development and practice management.
Richard has over 20 years in-depth experience in finance and commissioning NHS and Private Health care services.
Prior to setting up Ascend Tendering Limited, Richard held the position as Associate Director, Primary Care Development, and has extensive experience in supporting and commissioning services for Primary Care Dentistry, Pharmaceutical and Medical Services, ranging from large corporates to single chair practices.
Richard also sat on the national groups regarding the proposed NHS Dental Contract, and set up the Somerset Local Professional Network pilot.
He also supported and controlled a £140 million Secondary Care budget as a former Senior Management Accountant. In addition, he was responsible for the training and supporting of non-finance budget holders.
After leaving the NHS, Richard set up his own Management Consultancy service, Ascend Tendering Limited and has successfully supported businesses with Ascend’s service solutions, enabling business owners to benefit from the relief of business and contractual pressures. He has submitted and prepared in an excess of 250 tenders with a 95%+ success rate and has lectured nationally at the Orthodontic Specialist Group Meeting regarding tendering, financial management and the commissioning process.
He is also a Partner in two mixed NHS/private orthodontic practices in West Yorkshire and has served as a non-Executive Director for a large dental group.
Richard is a keen motorcyclist and plans to undertake a bike tour around Europe. He is also interested in travel having visited many countries including USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Europe and the Maldives.
Director / Founder
Director / Founder
Emma has over 12 years’ experience in bidding for NHS, public and private service contracts having submitted in an excess of 250 tenders. She has a 95%+ success rate. Emma has also supported numerous clients across the country in successfully winning £10-£20 million+, 5-10 years contracts through the competitive bidding process.
In 2025, Emma was awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership as well as Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) status.
Over the past decade, she has lectured nationally at the Orthodontic Specialist Group meeting in London, NEC Dental Show Case and delivered successful webinars on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses regarding a masterclass in successfully bidding for contracts. She is an experienced public speaker.
Emma also has an extensive experience in CQC/HIW compliance supporting many providers in becoming compliant. She is proud to have a 100% inspection pass rate. These range of compliance services include CQC/HIW registration applications, CQC/HIW on-site practice mock inspections and CQC Registered Manager interview coaching (100% pass rate).
Emma has also worked with private hospitals in preparing successful business cases regarding waiting list initiatives.
Emma is an experienced CQC Registered Manager, CQC Nominated Individual and a Partner in two mixed NHS/private orthodontic practices in Yorkshire.
She has also worked in coaching/mentoring Managers to support their teams development. She is also experienced in contract management and the implementation of CQC/HIW compliance systems.
She is proud to have developed an excellent reputation with her clients and long-term working partners. She is meticulous, hard-working, efficient, and generous with her time to ensure Ascend’s client receive a high-quality standard of service and their desired end result.
Emma also has a passion for fitness and has competed in many different events. In 2025, she completed her first half marathon race raising money for the British Heart Foundation, 10k races and competed in a Tough Mudder event.
She also has a passion for travel having visited many countries including Australia (where she lived in Perth for 6 months), USA, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Norwegian Fjords and touring Europe.