“I had been mainly handling valuations, sales and purchases at Crispian Riley-Smith Fine Art Ltd – the third business I have established - working with associates when projects dictated the need for that - but I was frustrated in not getting any real growth beyond the next transaction, and not having robust financial management information to enable me to take quality decisions. I then met Ed Wood with whom I worked on a new business focusing on growth, and out of this I had the idea, and discussed the establishment of the fourth business, Art Advisory Group Ltd – the setting up of a team of like minded professionals in the art world, each with a different specialism, who could come together to work on projects and share fees. Ed introduced some of his Runway Advisors to assist here, including in the building of a first class financial budgeting system with regular reporting and reviews. Under Ed’s expert guidance, I have been able to avoid the many pitfalls involved in establishing an operation, which will stand me in good stead for years to come. Within a few months of setting it up, Art Advisory Group can boast many specialists, is growing significantly and its first contract was substantial. As an entrepreneur I am instinctively impatient and want to get on with things, but building a business, brick by brick from the ground up, is vitally important. I would highly recommend Ed and his team to anyone setting up, recovering or growing a business”.

Crispian Riley-Smith - CEO and Founder, Art Advisory Group Ltd