Creative in Excellence works with local authorities across North Wales and the North West of England, supporting the educational needs of children unable to attend school full-time. Led by two experienced headteachers, the organisation’s team of professional private tutors deliver tailored support both in-person and online.

Creative in Excellence was invited to join the FastTrack early payment programme offered by Flintshire County Council. The FastTrack programme is provided in partnership with Oxygen Finance and enables suppliers to receive invoice payments ahead of their standard terms in exchange for a small, pre-agreed rebate. The rebate is calculated dynamically based on how early the invoice is paid.

Managing cash flow in challenging times

Like many businesses, Creative in Excellence faces rising costs and the ongoing challenge of managing cash flow to support staff, sustain service delivery and continue to grow. As Darren Martin, Director of Creative in Excellence, explains:

“Managing cash flow is the biggest issue for any business. Costs are two to three times what they were, and having cash in the bank is vital for us to sustain our business and to grow.”

Before joining FastTrack, valuable time was spent chasing invoices and resolving queries. The improvements being made by the Council to improve the processing of supplier invoices, and the opportunity to be paid earlier, were welcome news.

Early scepticism turned into long-term confidence

Initially cautious, the team at Creative in Excellence reviewed the rebate structure and weighed their options. Their decision to join was made easier knowing that the council had vetted the programme thoroughly.

“We were sceptical at first, but the rebate percentage was favourable, and it made sense. Knowing that the council would have been diligent in selecting a partner gave us confidence that Oxygen was a trusted supplier.”

From one council to five: building on success

Since joining Flintshire Council’s scheme, the process has run smoothly. Invoices are typically paid within 10 days, and the business has seen improvements in both cash flow and their working relationship with the council. The administrative burden of chasing invoices has significantly reduced, allowing the business to focus on its core activities.

“We haven’t had any need to contact Oxygen – everything just works. We’d definitely sign-up again if we were invited to.”

After a smooth onboarding and positive experience, Creative in Excellence decided to extend its participation to other local authority schemes. They have now joined early payment programmes offered by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Lancashire County Council, Sefton Council and Tameside MBC.