For 60 years, Nottingham Playhouse Trust, a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity, has been producing
bold and thrilling theatre that is world-class, made in Nottingham, and as diverse as the local community.

Through their renowned education company, Roundabout, they also take smaller plays and groundbreaking educational workshops into schools and colleges throughout the region.

Pritesh Patel of Expense Reduction Analysts takes up the story of the relationship between his business and the playhouse: “I had identified Nottingham Playhouse as a potential client some time ago. I called Rachael Thomas, the Head of Finance there, and secured an appointment.

After discussing our approach and examining our track record, Rachael agreed to try out our service on the Stationery category in the first instance. “We were able to save the playhouse a significant amount in this category, so it was agreed to extend our service to other areas, and I am very grateful to my colleagues – Stuart Spencer (Electricity), Steve Whitlam (Merchant Card Fees), Derek Hodd (Cash in Transit) and Nadim Vanderman (Postage) for their specialist assistance in these categories.”

The nature of a theatre’s business meant that particular categories were of especial interest. Electricity was a major overhead, and here, as well as savings in the tariff, Expense Reduction Analysts were able to recommend changes that resulted in greater electricity efficiency, helping the Trust’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aims. Pritesh Patel explains: “After analysing the theatre’s usage, we recommended the use of a PowerPerfector, which reduced the amount of electricity used.”

 In addition, categories such as Telecoms, Print and Postage represented significant overheads and Expense Reduction Analysts were pleased to be able to offer substantial savings in those areas. In the area of Cash Handling, Derek Hodd recommended changes to some internal processes, which resulted in increased efficiency and security and decreased costs.

Rachael Thomas sums up the benefit to Nottingham Playhouse of Expense Reduction Analysts’ intervention: “As well as extremely significant savings on our most important areas of expenditure, Expense Reduction Analysts also thought outside the box whenever possible, helping us with new processes and assisting in the fulfilment of our Corporate Social Responsibility. I have been pleased to be able to recommend them to other businesses.”