Operations and AI for organisations that can't afford to get it wrong.
Fixed-fee audits, CRM builds and safe-AI training for charities, hospices and SMEs, led by an operations leader with real experience running them.
Advice is easy. Getting it done is the job.
Charities, hospices and SMEs often have the most to gain from AI and better operations, and the least room for a costly mistake. That shapes how I work. It comes down to three principles.
SAO Consultancy is a Manchester-based AI and operations consultancy that helps charities, hospices and SMEs adopt AI safely, through fixed-fee audits, CRM builds, governance packs and training. It is run by Sarah Amin, an operations leader with senior experience across the NHS, healthcare and the voluntary sector, including operations for an international charity working in over 25 countries. Based in Salford, Greater Manchester, and remote-first across the UK.
Operate first
Every recommendation is something your team can realistically run, not a plan that only works on paper.
Safe by default
Safeguarding, GDPR and CQC come first, not last. Where AI shouldn't be used, I'll tell you plainly.
Fixed and finished
A clear fee, a defined scope and a proper handover, so your team owns the result. No open-ended retainers.
Three ways in.
View all servicesAudit
Where AI can safely save hours, checked against safeguarding, GDPR and CQC.
Build
CRM, automations, dashboards and documentation your team can follow.
Bespoke
Fractional ops, interim leadership or a one-off project, scoped honestly.
The work speaks for itself.
View all case studiesFinding six hours a week without touching safeguarding
A CRM the team actually used — with documentation
SAO found us six hours a week within a fortnight. The audit paid for itself before we finished implementing.
Practical answers to real AI questions.
All insightsCan charities use ChatGPT safely?
Yes, but only with clear boundaries, a written policy and trained staff. Public AI tools like ChatGPT should never receive safeguarding-sensitive data, personal records or confidential donor information.
Read articleAI Governance · 4 min readWhat should a charity AI policy include?
A charity AI policy should cover permitted and prohibited tools, data handling rules, staff responsibilities, output review and a review schedule, written in plain English so staff can actually follow it.
Read articlePricing · 3 min readHow much does an AI audit cost?
A fixed-fee AI operations audit from SAO Consultancy costs £1,500 and is delivered in two weeks. There are no hidden fees, no add-ons and no retainers. You get a clear report and a roadmap.
Read articleFifteen minutes. An honest answer.
Two audit slots open each month, so every organisation gets proper attention. If it isn't a fit, I'll tell you, and point you somewhere that is.