About DAA Consulting

Advice from people who have been there.

DAA Consulting is a small group of serial entrepreneurs and business people who have all owned and run their own small and medium-sized businesses. Unlike large corporate-style consultancy firms, our advice comes from first-hand experience — we have been there, seen it and done it.

We are friendly and non-pushy, and your interests are at heart. There are no hidden fees and we will never stretch your company's finances. Our motto is simple: there are no problems, only solutions.

Meet the founder

David Ashdown — The Business Troubleshooter.

David Ashdown has spent nearly 50 years building, running, advising and helping businesses navigate challenges, opportunities and change.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

His entrepreneurial journey began while still at school, starting a window-cleaning business before moving into estate agency and property investment and development.

After enjoying considerable success in property, the downturn of the late 1980s and early 1990s brought severe financial challenges and some difficult commercial lessons.

Building the Dash Group

A subsequent opportunity in the transport industry led David to acquire a struggling overnight parcel delivery franchise through a staged, income-funded purchase agreement.

Under his direction, the operation grew from two vans and one driver to almost 40 vehicles and staff, serving an expanded territory across South Hertfordshire and North London.

Recognising opportunities to diversify, David established the Dash Group, incorporating courier services, commercial vehicle hire, storage, taxi services and other complementary businesses.

By sharing premises, resources and personnel across these businesses, he developed a commercially efficient group of operations, which he subsequently separated and sold.

Business Advisory & Mentoring

Since establishing DAA Consulting in 2002, David has applied that experience to supporting other business owners with strategy, operational challenges, commercial relationships, growth and business exits.

His subsequent consultancy experience has also included involvement in major commercial contracts, including passenger transport arrangements for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

David's approach is straightforward: understand the problem, explore the options and identify practical solutions that make commercial sense.

Business Problems. Practical Solutions.