Naomi Robins.
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Case Study 03 · Cashflow, Working Capital & Treasury

Improving cashflow and working capital to end late supplier payments

Fast-moving advertising agency· Finance leadership· Cashflow & treasury

A fast-moving agency was struggling to pay suppliers on time, held thin cash buffers, and was leaking money on USD FX. I diagnosed the cash cycle and made targeted changes to terms, facilities and currency handling - strengthening liquidity without constraining growth.

60→30
Client payment terms halved, accelerating cash collection
£100k
Credit limit uplift secured to protect supplier payments
USD
Dedicated account opened to cut FX losses on $600+ flows

The challenge

When I took responsibility for finance at a fast-moving advertising agency, the business occasionally struggled to pay all suppliers on time and held limited cash buffers. This put pressure on supplier relationships and raised operational risk. At the same time, a growing volume of USD transactions exposed the company to FX losses on both incoming and outgoing payments.

  • Frequent late payments to suppliers due to tight cash positions.
  • Insufficient cash savings to absorb timing differences in cashflow.
  • USD receipts and payments routed through GBP, creating sizeable FX losses.
  • A need for a practical fix that didn't constrain growth or service delivery.

My approach

Diagnosed the cash cycle

I reviewed customer payment terms, collection patterns, supplier terms and FX flows to pinpoint where cash was stuck and where value was leaking.

Improved customer cash inflows

I mentored client directors on negotiating shorter client payment terms, reducing standard terms from 60 days to 30 days to accelerate collection.

Expanded financing headroom

I secured a £100k uplift in the company's credit limit to provide additional liquidity and protect supplier payments during timing gaps.

Reduced FX leakage

I opened a USD bank account for incoming payments of $600+ and aligned outgoing USD payments, reducing repeated FX conversions and associated losses.

Embedded discipline

I used the improved visibility and headroom to prioritise on-time supplier payments and build a more robust cash buffer.

The results

  • Fewer late supplier payments, improving supplier relationships and operational reliability.
  • A stronger cash position - faster inflows and increased access to credit created healthier cash savings and working-capital headroom.
  • Lower FX losses on both incoming and outgoing USD flows by matching currency receipts and payments rather than converting everything through GBP.
Targeted changes to terms, facilities and FX handling can materially improve liquidity and resilience - without adding complexity for the business.
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