Back to The Essential Expert Rate Card 2026
Engagement Rate Card · 2026

Better Leaders. Better Systems. Better Futures.

Three instruments. One operator. Crisis leadership, independent review, and strategic foresight for organisations where being wrong is measured in millions, in lives, or in national resilience. Stephen steadies what is failing, then sets the conditions so it holds. Every engagement is shaped from the situation in front of you, never a packaged programme. The accessible rate is a structural commitment, not a discount. The work is identical at both rates.

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Better Leaders

Put the fire out. Take control, steady what is failing, and stay until it holds.

Interim Executive Leadership

Embedded interim at executive level. CEO, COO, Chief Strategy, programme direction. Personal agreement only.

Investment
£1,100 to £1,450 / day
Min. 20-day engagement

Interim leadership for complex, high-consequence mandates. Structured turnaround and delivery methodology from day one. Available across defence, energy, regulated infrastructure, PE-backed industrial, and public sector. All mandates by personal agreement with Stephen.

Better Systems

Find the cause and close it for good, so the same crisis cannot return.

The Essential Review

Fixed scope. Board-level outcome. Four to eight weeks.

Investment
£9,500 to £14,500
£7,500 to £11,000 accessible rate

Structured discovery audit across leadership, governance, and operational delivery. Independent analytical assessment. Board-level written report with a prioritised improvement roadmap. One board facilitation session included at the six-month point to review progress.

Better Futures

Set the conditions for what comes next, so the next risk is seen while it is still small.

Strategic Foresight

Retained. Boards and leadership teams. Maximum six clients at any time.

Investment
£3,500 / mo
£2,800 accessible rate

Monthly written intelligence briefing built around your sector and strategic priorities. One half-day facilitated board session per quarter. On-demand advisory access between sessions. Annual horizon review with a long-range strategic position paper. Reviewed and renewed every six months.

Coaching, Development & Programmes · Separate Practice

The Director's Path.

All coaching, team development, and director-readiness work sits at The Director's Path.

Self-Led, Cohort, and 1:1 Coached formats. Director Readiness Scorecard. Team and Board Development. Separate brand, same practitioner. Full programme catalogue and pricing at thedirectorspath.com.

thedirectorspath.com
Programme rates from £197

The accessible rate is structural, not discretionary.

The lower rate applies automatically to: public sector and NHS organisations, registered charities, self-funding individuals, and SMEs under fifty employees. No application. No proof required. Declare on booking and the accessible rate applies. The service at both rates is identical in every respect, including direct delivery by Stephen Marshall VR.

Starting an engagement

Every engagement begins with a no-charge scoping conversation arranged via the website. No obligation, no sales process, response within 48 hours for routine enquiries.

Billing

Retainers monthly in advance, 30 days rolling notice. Diagnostic projects 40% on commissioning, 60% on delivery. Day-rate engagements invoiced monthly for days delivered.

Availability

Strategic Foresight retainer places are strictly limited. Interim mandates by personal agreement only.

Engagements begin with a scoping conversation about what is failing, and what it will take to make it hold.

No charge. No sales process. We confirm fit, or we point you somewhere better.

steve@theessentialexpert.com
+44 117 473 0294 Direct contact
The Essential Expert Ltd. Registered in England and Wales, Company No. 14143619. Registered office: Dragon House, Princes Way, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 3AQ.
Better Leaders. Better Systems. Better Futures. theessentialexpert.com · Rate Card 2026 · Confidential