NCMH Business Centre

Consultancy Services

 The NCMH Business Centre offers consultancy services within the field of solution structure and interaction, in both fundamental and applied aspects. Those providing the service are drawn from the staff of the National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics.

Access to Consultancy Services

 External clients seeking access to consultancy services should in all cases submit a request in principle to the Director of the Business Centre. This preliminary request should indicate the general area in which advice is being asked for, and give outline guidance as to the time frame and level of time commitment likely to be involved. If the Director confirms that giving advice is feasible, then following the signing of any confidentiality agreement a more detailed outline of the problem involved will be submitted by the client. A consultancy specification and a formal quotation will then be sent. The specification will address the client’s needs in a cost-effective manner. All confidentiality agreements must include the Director of the Business Centre as one party to the agreement, whether the Director is designated as a consultant or no. The ultimate decision as to the consultant allocated to a particular client will be taken by the Director of the Business Centre: however requests for a particular person to act a consultant will almost always be honoured, and if this it not feasible or appropriate then the Director will give an explanation of the situation to the client.

Following acceptance of a quotation, arrangements for the consultancy will be a matter of direct arrangement between the consultant and the client. The consultant will normally prepare a time-sheet and expenses sheet, and (after client authorisation where needed) the client will be invoiced by the Business Centre. However, where it is the custom and/or wish of the client and consultant in agreement that the submission of the invoice should be the direct responsibility of the consultant, that will be acceptable.

Submission of Requests

 For security reasons, we are not currently accepting detailed requests via electronic means, although preliminary enquiries may be made in this way, or via telephone contact. Please submit detailed requests either through the mail or via fax to our (secure) fax number.