About
Two operators, not consultants.
A chartered accountant and corporate financier who has trained over 2,000 senior leaders, and an AI operator who runs four lean businesses and installs the systems for a living.
Why this exists
Stop buying AI tools. Start buying AI returns.
Andy spent thirty years working out where profit actually comes from, across hundreds of businesses, 20+ boards and 50+ M&A deals. That work became the power-of-1% model: three P&L categories, seven EBITDA drivers, 16+ levers, and the discipline of working all of them rather than hunting for one big move.
Alex spent the same period on the operating side, and the last few years installing AI into real businesses rather than talking about it. Four businesses, minimal headcount, systems doing the work that headcount used to.
Everyone in this market sells hours saved. Almost nobody sells what those hours are worth once you put them back into the P&L. That gap is the whole programme.
The bootcamp is the two halves put together: the model that says which number to move, and the AI that moves it. Business fundamentals first, technology second.
The people
Andy Bate
Founder, The Performance Academy. Chartered accountant and corporate financier.
30+ years across PwC, KPMG and Barclays Private Equity, working with hundreds of businesses. Sat on 20+ boards. Built two start-ups, including an e-commerce business he grew to £15M and an edtech now in 350+ UK schools. Delivered leadership training to over 2,000 senior leaders across 5,000+ hours.
Alex Lockey
Operating partner. Builder of lean, leveraged businesses.
Works with businesses on AI strategy, transformation and education. Translates between the business world and the technology world. AI is one tool in the kit. Business fundamentals come first.
The Performance Academy brand is Andy Bate's, trading as Kashandrew Consultancy. The ROI for AI Bootcamp is co-owned equally by Andy Bate and Alex Lockey.
How we work
- Implementation, not inspiration. You leave with something running, not something to think about.
- Numbers before tools. Every workflow is tied to a driver and a lever before anyone opens an app.
- Small rooms. Six to ten people, so there is real time on your business rather than a broadcast.
- Prices published. You should not have to book a call to find out what something costs.