Independent commercial advice for contractors
Headland helps owners and investors in civil engineering and specialist contracting businesses understand their true commercial position, recover what they are owed, protect margin and prepare for growth or sale.
Before and after a deal
In a contracting business, deal risk rarely shows in the headline numbers. It sits in project forecasts, open final accounts and contract terms. We test those from the contractor's side of the table, so you can price, structure and plan with confidence.
Heavy civil engineering
Ground conditions, programme slippage and plant on hire all move cost-to-complete. We know where that risk sits in a forecast.
Services
From testing reported profit to recovering and defending claims, each service has a defined scope, a fee agreed in advance and a written deliverable. Your team keeps ownership of the actions; we give you a clear, evidenced view to act on.
Where most clients start
An independent test of whether your reported profit is credible and where your principal exposures sit.
Recover what you're owed
Build, value and negotiate claims that stand up to scrutiny, from change control through to the final account.
Before an exit or investment
Find the commercial weaknesses a buyer's diligence team will find, while there is still time to fix them.
Before you rely on it
An independent view of whether a claim is likely to succeed and what it is really worth.
Before you commit
A second opinion on a significant commitment before you sign it.
Ongoing
Independent challenge on major commercial decisions, without the cost of another full-time director.
Live transaction support and formal dispute work are scoped individually. Headland provides commercial and quantum advice and works alongside your solicitors and corporate finance advisers; it does not provide legal or regulated corporate finance advice.
Approach
A review is short, structured and agreed in writing before it starts, so you know exactly what will be examined and what you will receive.
We select the projects, contracts and records to examine and confirm the deliverable and fee.
We work through cost value reconciliations, forecasts and contract files, and talk to the people running the jobs.
We test reported margin against what the evidence supports, and identify the exposures that could move it.
You receive a concise findings paper and a face-to-face briefing with clear, prioritised recommendations.
| Ref | Area | What we test | Evidence we look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR-01 | Forecast margin | Whether cost-to-complete and final account forecasts are realistic | CVRs, programme position, committed costs, outstanding liabilities |
| CR-02 | Entitlement | Whether variations and compensation events are notified, valued and recoverable | Notices, early warnings, instructions, assessments, correspondence |
| CR-03 | Contract exposure | Where terms leave risk unpriced or unmanaged | Contract terms, amendments, liability caps, damages, security |
| CR-04 | Cash | Whether reported value is converting to cash | Applications, certification, retentions, aged debt |
| CR-05 | Controls | Whether management can rely on the commercial reporting it receives | Reporting cycle, review sign-offs, accountability for forecasts |
About
Headland was founded by Roger Full, a commercial leader with more than three decades in civil engineering and specialist contracting.
His career covers contracts, claims, forecasting, commercial systems and team leadership across UK and international projects, including the preparation, negotiation and settlement of variations, delay claims and final accounts. As commercial lead at TMS Maritime, he supported the business through its sale to private equity, working alongside corporate finance advisers, lenders and investors. He went on to serve as interim Managing Director and to lead group commercial work within Ancora.
That experience shapes how Headland works. Roger understands what a buyer, a lender or a board will ask, and he understands what it takes on site to produce the evidence they need. Clients get practical recommendations that their own teams can act on.
How we work
Your leadership owns decisions and actions. We give you an independent, evidenced view and stay out of day-to-day management.
Every engagement starts with a written scope, deliverable and fee. Additional work is agreed separately before it begins.
Commercial recommendations never override safety, permits, competence or approved design. Operational sign-off remains with your team.
Client names, projects and findings are never shared or used as case material without written permission.
Contact
Start with a confidential 30-minute call. Tell us what is worrying you, and we'll tell you whether a review will help and what it would cover.