Research & Insight

Thought leadership from the Coaley Peak team.

Whitepapers, guides, and analysis on AI-driven cost reduction, procurement optimisation, and performance-based advisory for UK businesses. Request any piece by email and we'll send you the download link.

Research & insight

Thought leadership

Whitepapers, guides, and analysis from the Coaley Peak team. Request by email to receive the download link.

All research & insight →
WhitepaperMar 2026 · 18 min read

The Hidden Cost of Manual Procurement in UK Mid-Market Businesses

An analysis of where procurement spend leaks in businesses turning over £5m–£50m, covering supplier duplication, uncontested renewals, and the compounding effect of untracked contract creep.

ReportFeb 2026 · 24 min read

AI Adoption in UK Mid-Market Operations: 2025 Benchmark

Where UK businesses between £5m and £100m turnover are deploying AI, which functions deliver the clearest ROI, and the gap between pilot programmes and verifiable operational impact.

GuideJan 2026 · 14 min read

How to Build a Board-Ready Business Case for AI-Driven Cost Reduction

A framework for operations and finance leads preparing internal investment cases, covering how to quantify baseline costs, set measurable targets, and structure a pay-on-results engagement.

ArticleDec 2025 · 9 min read

Why Pay-on-Results Consistently Outperforms Retainer Models

An evidence-based argument for outcome-aligned billing in operational advisory, including how verification-first contracts change supplier behaviour and reduce the cost of under-delivery.

WhitepaperNov 2025 · 20 min read

Independent Verification in Performance-Based Contracts: A Practical Framework

How third-party verification works in practice, why it matters to boards and auditors, and the methodological standards Coaley Peak uses to establish baseline, measure change, and confirm results.

GuideOct 2025 · 16 min read

Procurement Optimisation: A 12-Point Framework for UK Businesses

A structured diagnostic for identifying cost reduction opportunities across supplier contracts, purchasing workflows, and approval processes, without requiring a full spend analysis consultancy.

ReportSep 2025 · 22 min read

Cost Leakage in UK Supply Chains: Where Money Goes Unnoticed

A sector-by-sector look at the most common points of undetected spend inefficiency, from tail spend and maverick purchasing to contract expiry drift and logistics over-payment.

ArticleAug 2025 · 11 min read

The CFO's Guide to AI-Generated Savings Calculations

What finance directors should challenge when reviewing AI-generated cost-saving projections, including common modelling assumptions, how to distinguish verified outcomes from estimates, and red flags in vendor proposals.

Topics covered

AI & AutomationCost ReductionProcurementOperationsFinance & CFOPay-on-ResultsIndependent VerificationSupply ChainDigital Marketing EfficiencyISO & ComplianceMid-Market GrowthData & Business Intelligence

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