When Rachel Hayward graduated with a 2:1 in Business from University of Staffordshire in 1995 she never imagined she would one day run an award-winning business of her own.

Following a successful 20-year career across HR, employability and the voluntary sector, redundancy unexpectedly became the catalyst for entrepreneurship. At the age of 42, in 2015, Rachel founded Ask the Chameleon (ATC), a Burton-based consultancy specialising in funding applications, public procurement bids, business awards and growth support for SMEs, charities and social enterprises.

What began as a leap of necessity has become a nationally respected business with a reputation for helping smaller organisations compete for opportunities often dominated by larger competitors.

To date ATC has supported clients to secure more than £197 million in contracts, funding and framework opportunities. Rachel’s clients range from first-time bidders and charities to manufacturers, education providers and national organisations.

What distinguishes Rachel is not simply the value of contracts secured. It is her determination to create opportunities for others. She has built a business rooted in generosity, collaboration and helping smaller organisations believe they belong in spaces often perceived as inaccessible.

Whether supporting SMEs to access contracts, navigating procurement reform or creating new services in response to changing market conditions, Rachel has consistently adapted, evolved and found new ways to grow both her business and the organisations she supports.

One example is ATC’s Tender Alert service. Rachel recognised that SMEs were overwhelmed by procurement portals and struggling to identify relevant opportunities. So she created a bi-monthly Tender Alert bulletin curating live opportunities from across the UK, helping businesses save time and access contracts they may otherwise never have discovered. This has become a valued service and an important part of ATC’s client offer, demonstrating Rachel’s ability to identify emerging needs and turn them into sustainable business opportunities.

Rachel’s influence extends beyond her commercial work. Early this year she conceived, created and led the Ducks in a Row fundraising campaign for Trent Rowing Club. Rachel recognised the clu’’s ambition for a new boat shed would require more than traditional fundraising. Drawing on the commercial skills she uses within ATC she developed a campaign capable of attracting funding partners, sponsorship, media attention and community support. She secured £15,000 match funding from Sport England Movement Fund, raised the funds needed and secured coverage on ITV Central News.

Rachel Hayward has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.