Advisory · In partnership with Stredge

Alchemy × Stredge Advisory

End-to-end consulting for Maldivian organisations — from diagnosis and design through to implementation, across strategy, people, processes, finance and technology.

Our Partnership

Two firms, one team for the Maldives

Alchemy Consulting has partnered with Stredge Advisory, a business consulting firm operating across Sri Lanka, the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates, to bring a full suite of advisory services to organisations in the Maldives.

Alchemy and Stredge work together on every engagement, combining Alchemy’s local insight and relationships with Stredge’s depth in strategy, operations, finance and digital transformation.

Alchemy Consulting
Stredge Advisory
Service Catalogue

14 services across four pillars

Choose a pillar to explore what Alchemy and Stredge can deliver for your organisation.

People & Leadership

Leadership Retreats

Take your leadership team out of the boardroom and into the Maldives. Our facilitated leadership retreats combine strategy sessions, psychometric profiling, and experiential learning in an inspiring island setting, so your team returns with clearer direction, stronger working relationships, and a practical plan for action.

See what’s included

Facilitated retreats that give leadership teams uninterrupted time, away from daily operations, to agree on direction and strengthen how they work together. Alchemy and Stredge design and run the programme, while venue, travel and accommodation are coordinated with our local and resort partners as one seamless package.

What the retreat includes

  • Pre-retreat diagnostics: Interviews with the sponsor and key participants, together with online DISC or psychometric assessments completed before arrival, so time on the island is spent on insight and action rather than data gathering.
  • Strategy and alignment workshops: Facilitated sessions to review performance, agree on strategic priorities, test assumptions, and translate direction into a shared operating plan.
  • Leadership and team dynamics: Debriefs of individual and team behavioural profiles, covering communication styles, decision-making, trust, constructive conflict, and how to work effectively with different personalities.
  • Experiential and outbound learning: Team challenges and outdoor activities that use the island environment, followed by structured debriefs that link each experience to real leadership lessons.
  • Personal leadership reflection: Guided reflection and coaching conversations that help each leader define their personal leadership commitments and development priorities.
  • Post-retreat follow-through: A consolidated action plan, accountability for each commitment, and follow-up sessions at agreed intervals to keep momentum after the team returns to work.

Leadership Coaching & Executive Development

Structured one-to-one and group coaching for senior and emerging leaders, grounded in psychometric insight. We help leaders build self-awareness, lead diverse teams with confidence, and make better decisions under pressure.

See what’s included

Leaders are often promoted for technical strength without support in the behavioural skills senior roles demand. Our coaching starts with psychometric insight and works on real workplace challenges, for individual executives, leadership teams or organisation-wide mentoring.

What the service includes

  • Psychometric assessment: DISC and related assessments that identify behavioural style, communication preferences, motivators and critical thinking patterns, with a detailed debrief for each leader.
  • One-to-one executive coaching: Confidential coaching sessions focused on the leader's goals, such as stepping into a larger role, managing stakeholders, leading change or improving decision-making.
  • Group and team coaching: Activity-based group sessions that build collaboration, shared accountability and effective team dynamics.
  • Mentoring programme design: Design of an organisation-level mentoring programme aligned with the competency framework, including preparing senior leaders to act as effective mentors.
  • Succession and high-potential development: Targeted development for identified successors and high-potential managers so they are ready for future leadership roles.
  • Leadership roadmaps: Each participant develops a three-to-five-year leadership roadmap that links personal ambitions and values with the organisation's long-term goals.

Corporate Training

Practical, competency-based training programmes designed around your organisation's real needs, covering leadership, finance, Lean, customer experience and personal effectiveness. Delivered in Malé, on your resort island or in a blended format.

See what’s included

Training programmes built on the organisation's competency requirements and real capability gaps rather than generic content. Sessions are interactive and practical, and can run as a series, intensive workshops or an annual calendar, in person or blended.

Programme catalogue

  • Leadership and management: Leading teams, people management, delegation, performance conversations, giving feedback and managing the employee lifecycle.
  • Personal effectiveness: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, time management, interpersonal skills and working effectively with different personality styles.
  • Financial acumen for non-finance managers: Understanding financial statements, budgets, costs, profitability and how operational decisions affect financial results.
  • Lean thinking and problem solving: Identifying waste, root-cause analysis, process improvement tools and Lean Yellow Belt certification.
  • Project management: Planning, executing, monitoring and closing projects, including governance and stakeholder management.
  • Change and innovation: Leading and adapting to change, encouraging innovative thinking and building a growth mindset.
  • Customer and guest experience: Service standards, handling complaints, building relationships and creating memorable customer and guest experiences.
  • Relationship and stakeholder management: Building trust, influencing without authority and managing internal and external stakeholders.

Manpower Planning & Organisation Design

Right people, right roles, right numbers. We design organisation structures, staffing models and job frameworks that optimize people costs while giving your business the capacity it needs to grow.

See what’s included

People are both the most important asset and the largest controllable cost. We link headcount to actual workload, service standards and business volumes to produce a structure the organisation can defend, afford and implement.

What the service includes

  • Organisation structure review and redesign: Assessment of reporting lines, spans of control and the distribution of responsibilities, followed by a future-ready structure aligned with strategy.
  • Workload analysis and manpower planning: Analysis of activities, transaction volumes, service standards and shift patterns to determine the right number of people for each function.
  • Staffing norms and ratios: Practical staffing benchmarks, such as staff per room, per branch or per transaction volume, that help management plan for growth and seasonal change.
  • Job descriptions and role clarity: Clear job descriptions that define purpose, responsibilities, authority, KPIs and required competencies for each role.
  • Job evaluation and grading: Objective evaluation of roles to create a fair and consistent grading structure that supports pay decisions.
  • Skills matrices and competency mapping: Mapping of the technical and behavioural skills required for each role, and of the current skills available in the team.
  • People cost optimisation: Identification of savings through better deployment, multi-skilling, process changes.
  • Local talent development and succession: A roadmap for developing local staff into skilled and leadership roles over time, reducing dependency on hard-to-replace positions.

HR Strategy, Competency Frameworks & Reward Benchmarking

Build an HR function that attracts, develops and retains the talent your business needs. We redesign HR strategy, performance management and reward structures, supported by salary and benefits benchmarking across the Maldives.

See what’s included

As organisations grow, HR policies, performance management and pay structures often fall behind. We review and redesign the HR function as a whole and support implementation, drawing on our salary and rewards benchmarking where necessary.

What the service includes

  • HR strategy and operating model: Review of the HR function's role, structure and priorities, and design of an HR strategy aligned with business goals.
  • HR policies and procedures: Development or update of HR policies covering recruitment, onboarding, leave, conduct, discipline, training and exit.
  • Performance management and KPI cascade: Design of a performance management system that links organisational goals to departmental and individual KPIs.
  • Competency frameworks: Definition of the technical and behavioural competencies required across roles and levels, used for recruitment, development, and assessment.
  • Succession planning: Identification of critical roles and potential successors, with development plans to build readiness.
  • Salary and rewards benchmarking: Market comparison of pay and benefits across the Maldives to support competitive and sustainable reward decisions.
  • Salary structures and benefits frameworks: Design of salary bands, increment policies, incentive schemes and benefits linked to grading and performance.
  • HRIS advisory and implementation support: Identification of HR technology needs and ongoing support to embed new structures, policies and practices.

Performance & Operations

Lean Operational Excellence & Certification

Remove waste, optimize the processes and build a culture of continuous improvement. Our Lean programmes combine certified training with hands-on improvement projects that deliver measurable results.

See what’s included

Lean is a proven approach to creating value for both external customers and internal customers, the teams that depend on each other’s work every day. It starts with understanding the voice of the customer and what they truly value, then systematically removes the waiting time, rework and unnecessary steps that add cost without adding value. Our programmes empower employees at every level to identify opportunities and initiate and drive change themselves, through certification, structured problem-solving tools and guidance from Alchemy and Stredge. The result is a culture of continuous improvement that delivers measurable gains in service, quality and cost, both during the programme and long after it ends.

What the service includes

  • Lean leadership awareness: Sessions for senior leaders on Lean principles and their role in sponsoring and sustaining improvement.
  • Lean Belt certifications (White/Yellow/Green/Black): Structured training and certification for selected staff who will act as change catalysts across the organisation.
  • Improvement project coaching: Guidance for cross-functional teams as they apply Lean tools to real problems in their areas.
  • Process and value stream mapping: Visual mapping of end-to-end processes to identify delays, handovers, rework and waste.
  • Continuous improvement governance: Review mechanisms, progress tracking and recognition that keep improvement going after the programme ends.

Process Review & SOP Development

Clear, documented processes reduce errors, strengthen controls and make operations consistent. We review your end-to-end processes, redesign them for efficiency and turn them into practical Standard Operating Procedures your teams can follow.

See what’s included

Undocumented processes create inconsistency, control gaps and risk whenever people change roles. We review and redesign processes end to end and formalise them into practical SOPs that are validated with process owners and supported by training.

What the service includes

  • Process inventory: Identification and prioritisation of the organisation's key banking and non-banking, or operational and support, processes.
  • Current-state process mapping: Documentation of how processes work today, using Visio process maps, interviews and walkthroughs.
  • Gap and control analysis: Identification of inefficiencies, duplicated steps, delays and control weaknesses.
  • Future-state process design: Redesigned processes that are simpler, faster and better controlled, with clear roles and handovers.
  • SOP development: Standardised SOPs covering purpose, scope, roles, process steps, controls, forms, timelines and KPIs.
  • Policy and regulatory alignment: Confirmation that SOPs are consistent with internal policies and relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Validation and rollout: Staff training and implementation support.

Corporate Planning, Strategy Execution & Transformation

A strong strategy needs both a clear direction and the discipline to deliver it. We work with your board and leadership to develop a three-to-five-year corporate plan grounded in market insight and financial reality. We then build the governance, initiatives and tracking mechanisms that turn the plan into measurable results. We bring your people together behind the plan, strengthening management capability and enriching roles to drive performance.

See what’s included

A corporate plan is a decision-making framework that defines where the organisation will compete, how it will win, and how resources will be allocated. It combines rigorous analysis of the market, competitors, and internal capabilities with structured input from the board and management. This produces a strategy that is both ambitious and achievable, supported by financial projections, measurable targets, and annual operating plans. Since most strategies fail in execution, the plan is backed by clear initiatives, governance, and performance tracking. People are central to delivery: the approach builds shared commitment across the organisation, strengthens the maturity of the management team, and enriches roles so that everyone contributes to performance.

What the service includes

  • Strategic diagnostic and direction: Analysis of the market, regulatory, competitor and technology landscape and of internal capabilities, informed by input from the board and management. This shapes a clear vision, mission, values and positioning, captured in a concise corporate plan.
  • Objectives, targets and financials: Translating direction into balanced scorecard objectives and annual KPIs, backed by multi-year financial projections and tested against scenarios, risk appetite and regulatory requirements
  • Strategy cascade and alignment: Turning objectives into owned initiatives, operating plans, budgets and KPIs for every department and individual. Alignment workshops and cross-functional forums unite the board, management and staff around shared priorities and break down silos.
  • Governance, PMO & tracking: A steering committee, clear decision rights and a PMO with standard reporting, supported by regular reviews and strategy refreshes to keep execution on course.
  • Leadership maturity and job enrichment: Strengthening the management team’s leadership, decision-making and collaboration so their focus shifts from daily operations to driving the strategy. Roles are redesigned with greater responsibility and autonomy, so employees at every level are engaged and accountable for performance.
  • Capability building: Strategy, project management and Lean training for initiative owners and PMO staff, so the organisation can sustain delivery on its own.

Finance & Transactions

Financial Modelling & Feasibility Studies

Make investment decisions with confidence. We build robust financial models, feasibility studies and business plans that test your assumptions and support your discussions with banks, investors and boards.

See what’s included

Major decisions such as a resort development, expansion or acquisition depend on a clear view of costs, revenues, funding and risk. We build transparent models around the decision being made and help clients present a credible case to boards, banks and investors.

What the service includes

  • Project and investment models: Models for new developments, expansions and capital projects, covering capital expenditure, operating performance, financing and returns.
  • Feasibility studies: Assessment of market, operational and financial viability to determine whether a project should proceed.
  • Business plans: Integrated business plans combining strategy, operating assumptions and financial projections.
  • Budgeting and forecasting models: Annual budgets and rolling forecasts linked to operational drivers.
  • Scenario and sensitivity analysis: Testing of key assumptions, such as occupancy, pricing, costs, exchange rates and interest rates, to understand risk.
  • Costing and pricing models: Product and service costing, including Activity-Based Costing, to support realistic pricing and profitability analysis.
  • Valuation models: Business and asset valuation to support investment, acquisition or divestment decisions.

Strategic Finance Advisory

Senior finance leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. We support boards and management on cash flow, working capital, capital structure and funding, bringing CFO-level discipline to growing businesses.

See what’s included

Growing and family-owned businesses often outgrow their finance function before a full-time senior CFO is affordable. We work alongside the board and management on an ongoing or focused basis to bring CFO-level discipline.

What the service includes

  • Board and C-suite advisory: Advice on business performance, capital allocation, investments and long-term growth strategy.
  • Cash flow and liquidity governance: Regular governance forums that review cash flow, liquidity, funding requirements and operational performance.
  • Working capital management: Improvement of inventory, receivables, payables and the cash conversion cycle.
  • Capital structure and banking relationships: Review of existing financing arrangements and advice on the right mix of debt and equity, facilities and banking partners.
  • Debt management: Structured approaches to managing and restructuring debt to restore financial flexibility.
  • Budgeting and performance tracking: Guidance on budgeting, target setting and frameworks for tracking performance against plan.
  • Finance function review: Restructuring of the finance department, including roles, SOPs, systems and recruitment of key finance staff.
  • Management reporting: Improvement of reporting accuracy, costing methods and management dashboards.

Transaction & Capital Raising Advisory

From first evaluation to financial close, we guide you through valuation, structuring, due diligence and negotiation, and help you present your business convincingly to lenders and investors.

See what’s included

Acquisitions, sales and major fundraising involve complex analysis, many stakeholders and high-stakes negotiation. We support clients from evaluation to closing, working alongside their legal and tax advisers.

What the service includes

  • Opportunity evaluation: Initial assessment of the strategic and financial merits of an acquisition, sale or investment.
  • Valuation: Independent valuation and review of valuation assumptions to support pricing and negotiation.
  • Financial and commercial due diligence: Review of financial performance, commercial position and key risks.
  • Transaction document review: Review of title, legal and contractual documentation from a transaction perspective, including saleability and transferability, in coordination with legal counsel.
  • Deal structuring and negotiation support: Advice on transaction structure and support during negotiations.
  • Investor and lender materials: Investment presentations, information memoranda and financial narratives.
  • Debt raising and syndication: Assessment of funding needs, structuring of debt facilities and coordination with banks to reach financial close.
  • Stakeholder coordination: Managing communication between buyers, sellers, lenders, advisers and other parties.
  • Transaction closing support

Governance, Risk & Technology

Banking & Financial Services Transformation

Specialist transformation support for banks and financial institutions, covering operations, people, technology and controls. We help institutions become more efficient, better governed and ready for digital banking.

See what’s included

Banks face rising customer expectations, regulatory demands, digital competition and cost pressure. Banking is Stredge's deepest area of experience, with continuous work for conventional and Islamic banks since 2018, and our programmes run from diagnosis through to implementation.

What the service includes

  • Operational review across banking functions: Review of areas such as trade finance, cards, call centre, collections, branch network, customer service, credit, recoveries, corporate banking and digital banking.
  • Process re-engineering and SOPs: Redesign of processes to improve turnaround times, strengthen controls and support consistent execution.
  • Digital onboarding and automation: Concept design and business requirements for digital onboarding, OCR, workflow automation, core banking integration and service counter automation.
  • Automation and AI opportunities: Identification of processes where automation and AI can reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.
  • Management information and dashboards: Power BI-based dashboards and reporting that improve performance monitoring and decision-making.
  • Organisation enablers: Organisation structures, manpower plans, job descriptions, job evaluations, skills matrices and competency frameworks.
  • People and leadership: HR strategy, leadership coaching and capability building for bank staff.
  • Implementation governance: Steering committee mechanisms to ensure accountability, progress monitoring and timely completion.

Digital, Data & ERP Advisory

Technology that fits your business. We assess your systems, define what you really need, and support ERP, automation and dashboard implementations that give management real-time visibility.

See what’s included

Disconnected systems and manual processes slow work and limit management visibility. We take a business-first approach, defining processes and requirements before technology is chosen, with build options through Stredge Tech Solutions.

What the service includes

  • Digital readiness assessment: Review of current systems, processes and data to identify gaps and opportunities.
  • ERP evaluation and selection: Assessment of existing ERP capabilities or support in selecting a new system that fits the business.
  • Business requirements: Clear business requirement documents (BRDs) that guide vendors and implementation teams.
  • Implementation oversight: Independent oversight to keep technology projects aligned with business goals, on time and within budget.
  • Automation and AI opportunities: Identification of processes that can be automated or improved with AI.

Digital & AI Training

Equip your people to work confidently in a digital, AI-enabled workplace. Our practical training programmes cover digital skills, data literacy and the responsible use of AI tools, tailored by role so that leaders, managers and staff can turn new technology into real productivity gains.

See what’s included

The benefits of AI and digital tools depend on whether people know how to use them well and safely. Our training is built around the organisation's real work and tailored by role, with responsible and secure use included in every programme.

Programme catalogue

  • AI for leaders and boards: What AI can and cannot do, emerging use cases in the leader’s sector, building an AI strategy, investment priorities, governance, risk and regulatory considerations, and leading change as roles evolve.
  • Practical AI productivity for professionals: Hands-on use of generative AI tools for writing, summarising, research, analysis, presentations and meeting preparation. Includes effective prompting techniques and how to check AI outputs for accuracy.
  • AI for managers: redesigning work: Identifying tasks and processes where AI and automation add value, redesigning workflows, measuring productivity gains and guiding teams through adoption.
  • Data literacy and analytics: Understanding data, interpreting reports and dashboards, basic analysis in Excel, and an introduction to Power BI for building management dashboards.
  • Digital workplace skills: Effective use of collaboration tools, digital document management, workflow tools and remote working practices.
  • Process automation awareness: Recognising automation opportunities, and introducing workflow automation, OCR and robotic process automation concepts, with practical examples from banking and operations.
  • Responsible and secure use of AI: Data privacy, confidentiality, information security, bias, intellectual property and acceptable-use policies, so staff know what can and cannot be shared with AI tools.
Industries

Sectors we work with

Banking & Financial ServicesTourism & HospitalityPorts & LogisticsEnergyManufacturingHealthcareEducation

Have a project in mind?

Tell us about your organisation and the challenge you’re facing — Alchemy and Stredge will shape the right engagement with you.

Discuss a Project Chat on WhatsApp
Chat with us