The NHS is facing some of its greatest financial and productivity challenges ever, from aging infrastructure and inadequate capital allocations to the urgent need for long-term transformation rather than short term fixes.

Burrum River Advisory, a Bramble Hub partner, specialises in aligning NHS capital investment with strategic need, identifying opportunities for private finance and enhancing operational effectiveness through new models. Burrum helps organisations navigate complex NHS funding landscapes, ensuring resources are directed toward meaningful improvements.

In discussion with Matt Custance and Rhiannon Williams of Burrum, it quickly became clear that this small, specialist consultancy is defined by the depth of its experience and the strength of its values. Both Matt and Rhiannon bring decades of expertise in infrastructure and healthcare consultancy, and their long-standing professional relationship underpins the firm’s collaborative, customer-focused ethos.

A Different Kind of Consultancy

Unlike the large consulting firms where Matt and Rhiannon spent much of their careers, Burrum operates on a lean, agile model. The business is intentionally small, allowing its leaders to work directly with clients and focus on delivering tailored, high-impact solutions. Rhiannon joined Burrum recently after years in major organisations, and described her motivation: “I wanted to do something different, to move away from the constraints of large, structured firms. Here, I can be hands-on, focus on projects I’m passionate about, and really control the quality of our work.” She emphasised the appeal of working closely with Matt again, noting their mutual trust, shared values and common approach.

Matt echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his own journey: “At heart, I’ve always most enjoyed working directly with clients, solving tricky problems, building workable analytical approaches, and finding better ways to do things. In big firms, you spend most of your time managing teams and dealing with top management, rather than actually doing the work you love.” At Burrum, both Matt and Rhiannon are able to immerse themselves in project delivery, leveraging their expertise without the distractions of corporate bureaucracy.

The third member of the team, Yasemin Bettney, is an independent consultant with over a decade of experience as a public sector adviser, and who has partnered with Burrum on several projects. She brings expertise in transactions, payment and contracting reform, bid support, infrastructure projects, cost improvement, partnerships and strategy development.

Deep Experience, Real Impact

Between Matt and Rhiannon, they have nearly 60 years of experience in the sector. Rhiannon’s background includes senior roles at Grant Thornton, KPMG, the Department of Health, and Bupa, while Matt has also held partner-level positions in major firms. Their long history of working together gives Burrum a unique advantage: a seamless partnership built on trust, respect and complementary skills.

Rhiannon summed up her approach: “I thrive on working closely with clients, tackling challenges, and developing solutions that stand the test of time. I enjoy the complexity of triangulating analysis, financial, and commercial strategy, while always pushing the boundaries to drive innovation and progress.” Both are passionate about making a lasting impact, particularly in the NHS, where they see enormous potential for improvement in infrastructure and service delivery.

Passionate About the NHS

Burrum’s current focus is on supporting NHS organisations through complex changes, such as setting up wholly owned subsidiaries to deliver shared services across Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). These projects aim to create efficient, scalable back-office operations, freeing up resources for frontline care and offering new career opportunities for staff.

Matt and Rhiannon are united by a desire to deliver genuine value and foster meaningful relationships. “We want to make a real difference for our clients,” Matt said. “That means being honest and independent, and sometimes telling people in power things they might not want to hear, but need to. We believe in being constructive, but also fiercely independent. Leaders appreciate new and different answers, as long as you’re polite and constructive.”

A Specialist Firm with a Clear Vision

Burrum’s size is its strength. By staying small and working with a network of trusted associates and partners, the firm remains flexible and focused on quality. Both Matt and Rhiannon are committed to building long-term, trust-based relationships and delivering bespoke, non-generic solutions. Their vision is to help clients - especially within the NHS - navigate change, drive innovation, and achieve outcomes that stand the test of time.

In a sector where large consultancies often dominate, Burrum River Advisory stands out for its specialist focus, deep experience, and genuine passion for making a difference. As the conversation with Matt and Rhiannon made clear, this is a firm where expertise, integrity, and client impact come first.