Home » Cambridge University Health Partners: scaling with confidence

Cambridge University Health Partners: scaling with confidence

1–2 minutes

Melissa Guenigault Senior Manager | VFO 20 February 2026

Deliverables

Xero conversion and implementation
Approval max set up
Purchase order integration via APM
Bank reconciliations
Sales invoicing, credit control, and twice-monthly payment runs
Salary payments, VAT and PAYE payments
Quarterly VAT returns, monthly management accounts
Preparation and audit of statutory financial statements
Preparation of corporation tax returns.

““The virtual finance office is flexible, responsive and cost-effective. Working with PEM has transformed our approach. We get answers very quickly and have confidence that invoices are sent, and that month-end will be on time; there’s a real cadence to it. The flexibility and reporting mean we always know where we stand.””

Araminta Ledger

Managing Director, CUHP

The client

Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) is an academic health science centre focused on improving patient healthcare by bringing together the NHS, industry and academia. Operating across two universities and three NHS Trusts, this not-for-profit organisation helps maintain Cambridge’s position as a global hub for life science talent and investment, driving breakthrough discoveries that deliver better health and economic growth.

The brief

Before working with PEM, CUHP lacked financial visibility and operational independence, which made it difficult to plan effectively, track spending, or make agile decisions. PEM was appointed in 2023 to provide complete financial visibility and enable the organisation to improve its planning.

The solution

PEM established a virtual finance office that provides highly responsive support and has established systems that streamline processes.

Our team provides monthly management accounts reports, budget import and reporting variances. We also support the annual compliance and audit process and are developing cash forecasts and reports in an enhanced reporting tool to provide cash projections and monitoring.

Prompt issuing of invoices, swift payments and rapid resolution of any issues help to maintain CUHP’s reputation as a trusted partner in the academic and healthcare community.

The outcome

In the time that CUHP has partnered with PEM, it has doubled in size. This growth has been underpinned by complete financial visibility and the confidence to make strategic decisions based on accurate, real-time data.

The reporting that PEM provides influences planning; the organisation can now accurately forecast overspend or underspend and can earmark budget for specific priority areas. Araminta Ledger, Managing Director, CUHP, says:

““PEM provides resources and support that can be difficult to access as a small business, at an affordable rate. This allows us to concentrate on our strategic objectives; we know when it’s safe to spend or invest in real-time and can do our own forecasting. We have a lead contact, and having access to other experts who provide a continuous service is critical. They are all responsive and bright, and we have a great working relationship.””

Araminta Ledger

Managing Director, CUHP

The VFO team interacts seamlessly with CUHP, preparing the year-end financial statements and undertaking the annual audit. We provide information and explanations for the audit, which means the time burden on CUHP is reduced, and efficiencies can be identified and implemented.

Please note that this content is not intended to give specific technical advice. It is designed to highlight some of the key changes rather than provide an exhaustive explanation of the topics. Professional advice should always be sought before action is either taken or refrained from as a result of information contained herein.