Rue Consultancy: From launch to long-term impact

Laying strong foundations

When Gayle Appleby Merry founded Rue Consultancy, she brought with her years of corporate leadership experience, but she also carried something even more important: self-awareness. She recognised that moving from the corporate world into entrepreneurship would be a transformational shift, one that required not just industry knowledge, but fresh strategic thinking, mentorship, and the space to step back and reflect.

That’s when the Help to Grow: Management programme at the University of Derby caught her eye.

Building a business with purpose

Rue Consultancy is an independent boutique consultancy that specialises in catering and soft facilities management solutions. Operating primarily in the Business & Industry (B&I) Workplace sector, Rue supports clients across the UK in designing, refining, and future-proofing their foodservice and hospitality operations. Their services span strategic advisory, competitive tendering, operational improvement, design and mobilisation support, and ongoing post-implementation evaluation.

From day one, Gayle wanted Rue to have more than just a strong service offering. She wanted it to be values-led, adaptable, and built to scale with integrity.

“As a newly launched business, I was keen to access structured learning that would both challenge and support the foundational strategy for Rue. I wanted to ensure we had the right growth mindset, tools, and systems in place from the outset, and Help to Grow presented the ideal opportunity.”

The course’s credibility, format, and delivery were all part of the draw. Gayle was particularly drawn to the credibility of the University of Derby, as well as the blended learning format, which fit well alongside operational commitments.

A strategic reset

The programme delivered precisely the kind of high-level yet practical insight Gayle was seeking.

“The modules on strategy, innovation, and customer value were incredibly insightful and timely for us. The ability to step outside the business and reflect on our direction with peer input and expert mentoring was hugely beneficial.”

Culture and leadership also took centre stage in Rue’s development journey. Gayle recognised the value and focus on leadership and culture, two areas that are fundamental to Rue's brand ethos.

Gayle appreciated the mentorship throughout the programme.

“Being given some ‘safe space’ in which to discuss ideas, new approaches, and receive guidance was invaluable. To this day, nine months after the Help to Grow programme ended, I have a very strong connection with my mentor. We embrace a collaborative style, sharing business wins, hurdles, and opportunities.”

Connections beyond the curriculum

The connections made through Help to Grow didn’t stop with mentorship. Through the programme’s links with the Small Business Charter, Gayle accessed additional networking opportunities, including an empowering evening event with keynote speaker Sarah Willingham, one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs.

These connections, insights, and opportunities all came together to accelerate Rue’s evolution.

Impact delivered

Since completing the programme, Rue Consultancy has implemented a series of practical, results-driven changes, all rooted in clarity and purpose.

“Help to Grow has helped us to clarify our service proposition, strengthen our client engagement strategy, and build a more robust plan for sustainable scaling. We’ve implemented a revised value proposition, begun refining our operational framework, and introduced a structured client feedback loop to support continuous improvement. It’s given us both clarity and confidence in how we grow Rue with purpose.”

That clarity has translated into momentum. Rue is now confidently scaling its services, developing stronger client relationships, and embracing continuous improvement as a daily practice, all while staying rooted in its founding values.

A partner in the journey

“Help to Grow gave me the headspace and perspective to step back and sharpen our growth strategy at a critical stage in Rue’s journey. The content, connections, and confidence it delivered have directly shaped how we move forward.”

She doesn’t hesitate when asked if she would recommend the programme to others.

“Absolutely. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Help to Grow programme to other founders, especially those in the early stages of development or repositioning. The balance of academic rigour, practical tools, and real-world relevance is excellent.”

And the impact hasn’t stopped just because the course has ended.

“After all, this is just the start. The continued Help to Grow Management Alumni events, along with the Small Business Charter team and my mentor, continue to be with me along the way, on the journey to taking my company to the next level. It is without doubt worth the money, if you can devote your time to it.”