About 4C

4C Associates was founded in 2000 by Edward Ainsworth and Peter Marson and was born from the insight that many organisations find purchasing complex services problematic and that the usual levers of cost reduction and service improvement fail to deliver the value needed. We have helped numerous blue chip organisations to obtain added value from their suppliers and increase their own agility while delivering savings to the bottom line in some of the most complex areas.

We achieve these outstanding results through a combination of five core strengths:

• Deep, practical category knowledge
  A number of our consultants have held senior positions within the sectors, functions or categories on which we consult, ensuring that they truly understand the nuances within in each one and are able to deliver the best results possible.
• Outstanding skills and experience
  Our focus is and always has been cost reduction. Our team has a mix of extensive experience including purchasing and supply chain experience, functional line management, consulting and operational experience. Not only do they know how to work with clients they also know and understand the impact of cost transformation to the wider organisation and bring knowledge of other functions.
• A knowledge base of benchmark data and market innovation
  As a result of our ongoing benchmarking studies carried out in partnership with major public and private sector organisations, we have developed a wealth of clearly structured and easily comparable data to help speed up the process of quantifying the opportunities available for our clients. This coupled with a continually updated supplier knowledge base provides the basis for accurate and informed decision-making. We have an Insight and Innovation team which researches best practice across each function
• Proprietary procurement technology
  Pro4C is an award winning, web-based technology solution which enables large organisations to consistently optimise value, specifically from marketing and professional services.
• Agility and creativity
  While we bring a wealth of experience, skills and tools, we recognise that every client organisation is unique and that obviously the same solution does not work for everyone. Creativity and innovation runs through all of our work and training. Our agility and flexibility is reflected in the commercial models we operate with our clients, from flat fee to full gainshare.