Skip to main content

Business advisory. Done differently. 

Growing a business isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’re leading under pressure, making tough calls, and carrying responsibilities most people never see. At The Lonely Tomato, we don’t just understand that world — we’ve lived it.

We don’t deal in theory or box‑ticking. We get into the detail, work alongside you, and help you move your business forward with clarity, structure, and calm confidence — grounded in real commercial experience. This is practical, real‑world business advisory for ambitious SMEs, founders, and leadership teams.

Not your typical consultants.

True thinking partners.

We’ve sat in your seat — steering growth, juggling cash flow, and navigating high‑stakes decisions while others look to you for certainty.

That’s why we built The Lonely Tomato: to give founders, CEOs, and leadership teams the kind of strategic support that genuinely makes a difference.

We’re not distant advisors or passive observers. We work alongside you as thinking partners — asking the right questions, bringing clarity to complexity, and helping you regain direction and confidence when the stakes are high.

We work quietly, professionally, and with complete discretion.

Straight talk. Real results.

We believe in clarity over noise.

We get inside your business, identify the real friction points, and solve the problems others avoid or over‑complicate.

From finance strategy and funding to board support and leadership alignment, we deliver tangible progress — not just presentations, but outcomes that show up where they matter most: on the bottom line.

Our Services

We work with businesses ready to evolve — whether that means scaling, stabilising, or resetting direction.

Strategic Problem Solving

Untangle complexity, remove noise, and move forward with confidence. From turnaround situations to growth strategy, we help you make clear, commercial decisions.

Robust Board Support

Bring structure, accountability, and constructive challenge to the leadership table. We support Chairs, CEOs, and senior leadership teams with practical governance, performance focus, and strategic clarity.

Funding & Finance Solutions

Secure the right funding, strengthen cash flow, and take control of your growth. We work closely with lenders, investors, and finance partners to structure facilities that support sustainable expansion.

Why “The Lonely Tomato”?

Because leadership can be isolating.

It can feel like everyone’s looking to you for answers — while you carry the pressure quietly. But just like a tomato grows stronger with the right nurture, businesses thrive when they’re supported by the right people.

With us by your side, you won’t just navigate the pressure. You’ll grow stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to build something that lasts.

Martine Catton and Sarah Radley - The Lonely Tomato Business Consultants

Meet the Founders

Two leaders. One shared mission.

To bring calm, practical, board‑level support to ambitious businesses.

Sarah Radley brings over two decades of entrepreneurial experience — building, scaling, and exiting multiple ventures. She brings calm judgement to high‑pressure situations, helping business owners navigate funding, cash‑flow challenges, and strategic inflection points with confidence.

Martine Catton brings sharp strategic direction and extensive board‑level leadership experience. Known for her calm clarity and grounded, no‑nonsense approach, she helps leadership teams make confident decisions and execute with focus and discipline.

Together, they combine commercial rigour with human‑centred support — because asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s leadership.

Read more

Real impact, real words

“We were looking for support to strengthen our financial foundations as the business entered a period of rapid growth. Lonely Tomato provided the strategic guidance and direction we needed, helping us secure long‑term working capital and banking facilities. Their expertise has not only supported our current expansion but also set us on the right path to achieve our long‑term business goals. We continue to work with them as a trusted partner on our ongoing growth strategy.”

WHGroup CFO, £25m turnover business, South West

“We engaged Martine as a consultant around 18 months ago after a recommendation. Her significant experience and expertise have been invaluable in navigating some of the more technical challenges we face in our industry. From the moment she joined us, Martine has brought a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective that has greatly benefited our operations. Her ability to tackle complex issues with ease has not only helped to resolve immediate concerns but also helped us to find long-term solutions that have improved our processes.

What truly sets Martine apart is her overall people skills and her ability to build a strong rapport with our staff. She is not only helpful but also incredibly popular among the team. Her approachable nature and willingness to assist have had a positive impact on our team morale, creating a more collaborative and supportive work environment. Her presence has been a breath of fresh air, fostering a sense of unity and enthusiasm among our team. On a personal note, the day-to-day support Martine provides to me has been massive. As a Managing Director, the role can sometimes feel quite isolating, but her consistent guidance and encouragement have been a source of great comfort. She has been a reliable sounding board and a trusted advisor, helping me navigate the complexities of my responsibilities with confidence. I feel very privileged now to call Martine a friend as well as a trusted colleague.

In summary, Martine’s contribution to our business has been profound and far-reaching. Her technical expertise, coupled with her positive influence on the team, has made her an important asset to our business. I am truly grateful for her support and highly recommend her to any business seeking a skilled and dedicated consultant like her”

Alex

“I’ve been working with Martine for about 18 months now, mainly on our future
business strategy. I can say that she is intelligent, knowledgeable, perceptive and
insightful and has been a huge benefit to the company. She can cut through the
noise and quickly identify the key business issues and then use her experience to
proactively discuss and debate these issues resulting in us finding the right solutions.
She is never afraid to ask ‘those’ difficult questions or to challenge the status quo,
which as a business owner is exactly what is needed.

She is a very valuable asset to the business, and I can’t recommend her highly
enough.”

Mike

Financial clarity that gives you control

Financial decisions can’t be left to guesswork. Not every business has a broker or finance specialist in‑house — and that’s where we come in.

Whether you’re securing funding, resolving cash‑flow challenges, or planning your next phase of growth, we work alongside you so you can make clear, confident decisions.

We don’t just crunch numbers. We interpret them — turning insight into action.

Learn More

Backed by insight, driven by action – take your next step!