Build a real creative business while you learn.
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Turn your creativity, knowledge or ideas into income.
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Define success on your own terms.
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Develop the confidence to promote, price and sell your work.
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Graduate with a business you have created, tested and begun to run.
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Build a real creative business while you learn. --- Turn your creativity, knowledge or ideas into income. --- Define success on your own terms. --- Develop the confidence to promote, price and sell your work. --- Graduate with a business you have created, tested and begun to run. ---
Professional Qualification in the Business of Art
Creative to Commercial Pathway
This is a year-long qualification designed for people who want to build a business or career around art, creativity and the wider creative economy. This practical Professional Qualification takes you from idea to launching a real business. Whether you are an artist, maker, designer, creative entrepreneur or have an idea for a gallery, studio, product, service, gaming or digital business, you will develop the confidence, commercial knowledge and practical skills to build a commercially successful creative business.
Qualification:
Professional Qualification in the Business of Art
Creative to Commercial Pathway.
Duration:
One academic year. Weekly in-person teaching, practical business-building assignments and a final Business Showcase.
Founding Cohort:
29 Sept 2026 – 15 Jun 2027
Investment:
£2,950 including VAT
Monthly payment plan available
Entry Requirements:
No formal qualifications required. Applicants should have an interest in building a business or career connected to art, creativity or the wider creative economy.
Build a creative business that works for you.
Many talented artists and creatives dream of earning a living from their creativity. Yet turning creative talent into a commercially successful business requires more than artistic ability. It requires confidence, commercial understanding and the practical skills to build, market and grow a sustainable business.
Many creatives never receive this education.
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art was created to bridge that gap.
Designed around practical business experience rather than academic theory alone, this qualification takes participants through every stage of building a creative business, from developing the confidence to become an entrepreneur, to creating a brand, finding customers, generating profit and planning for long-term success.
Throughout six practical modules, weekly assignments and a Professional Business Showcase, participants don't simply learn about business; they build one.
By the end of the programme, you'll have developed your own creative business, gained the commercial knowledge to run it professionally and created a clear plan for its future growth.
This is a professional qualification designed to help artists, makers, designers, photographers and other creative professionals build commercially sustainable businesses.
You will leave with a business you have created, tested and begun to run.
Your creativity has real value.
This programme helps you build a business around it.
Why is this programme different?
Many creative business courses teach individual topics such as marketing, social media or pricing. The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art brings everything together into one structured, practical journey from idea to launch.
You will explore confidence, money, business models, customers, branding, selling, finance, systems and growth. More importantly, you will apply what you learn directly to the business you are building.
Every week ends with a practical action. You may register a domain, define your customer, price your products, build a website page, approach a potential partner or begin selling your work. Each action builds your business and advances your ambitions.
The programme is suitable for many different kinds of creatives. You may want to sell your own artwork, create products using art or design, establish a gallery or studio, build a creative service, develop a digital or gaming business, or work commercially within the creative economy.
You can build independently or collaborate with other participants. Your business can be full-time, part-time, lifestyle-led or designed for growth.
By the end of the qualification, you will not simply understand how creative businesses work. You will have built one.
Programme Structure
Six Modules. One goal.
Graduate with a creative business that you've built, tested and begun to run.
Over one academic year, you'll move through six carefully designed modules, taking your idea from its earliest stages to a commercially sustainable business. Every week ends with a practical action. Every module builds another part of your business.
By graduation, you won't simply have learnt about business; you'll be running one.
Module 1: Own Your Inner Entrepreneur
Giving yourself permission to succeed.
Build confidence, overcome fear, improve your relationship with money and decide what success looks like for you before you begin building your business.
Module 2: Create Your Business
Turning your creativity into a real business.
Design and set up your business model, identify multiple income streams, define your products and services, and discover where your business fits within the creative economy.
Module 3: Find Your Market
Finding your audience and selling with confidence.
Develop your brand, build your online presence, understand your customers, network effectively and confidently promote and sell your work.
Module 4: Build Your Profitable Model
Developing the skills that create financial stability.
Learn pricing, costing, budgeting, cash flow, tax, copyright, insurance and the legal foundations needed to create a financially sustainable creative business.
Module 5: Design Your Long-Term Success
Creating structures to support your ambitions.
Develop systems, improve productivity, manage your time, adapt to change and create a business that is sustainable, resilient and designed around the life you want to lead.
Module 6: Own Your Future
Launching the next chapter.
Revisit your ambitions, present your business, products, marketing strategy and financial plan at the final Business Showcase before celebrating your graduation with your fellow cohort.
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art is built around one simple idea:
The best way to learn business is by creating one.
What you'll study
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art has been designed to mirror the natural journey of building a successful creative business.
You'll begin by developing the confidence to believe in yourself and your ideas before creating your business, finding your customers, building a profitable model and designing a business that supports the life you want to lead.
Each week includes one 4-hour in-person lesson which ends with practical actions for your business set up or advancement, ensuring that by graduation you haven't simply studied business, you've built one.
During academic holidays, practical assignments will help you continue building your business. These may include developing your website, photographing your work, creating products, attending exhibitions, meeting customers or completing other real-world business activities, ensuring momentum continues throughout the academic year.
Together we'll explore:
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Purpose
Before you build a business, you'll build the confidence, clarity and foundations to become a business owner.
You'll explore your relationship with money, recognise the value of your creativity, understand how businesses actually work and make the first key decisions that will shape everything that follows.
By the end of this module, you'll be ready to start building your business.
Week 1 – You as the Entrepreneur
Why your creativity has commercial value
Self-worth and money
Fear, perfectionism and imposter syndrome
Giving yourself permission to build a business
Defining what success means to you
Week 2 – Understanding Business
What a business really is
Separating yourself from your business
Different types of creative businesses
How businesses create value
Customers, products and income
Week 3 – Building Your Foundations
Choosing your business and brand name
Registering domain names
Creating a business email address
Setting up a dedicated business bank account
Planning your first business actions
October Holiday Assignment
During the October break you'll complete the first practical steps towards becoming a business owner.
These may include:
Choosing your business structure
Purchasing your domain name
Setting up your business email
Finalising your business identity
Preparing to begin building your products, services or portfolio in Module 2
Practical Outcomes
✔ Understand how businesses create value
✔ Define your personal vision and business goals
✔ Build confidence around money and selling
✔ Choose your business and brand name
✔ Secure your domain name
✔ Open a dedicated business bank account
✔ Decide on your next business actions
✔ Be fully prepared to begin building your business in Module 2
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Purpose
This module transforms your idea into a real business.
You'll make the key commercial decisions every business owner faces, establish the practical foundations needed to begin trading and create the systems that will support your business from day one.
By the end of this module, your business will exist. During the Christmas break, you'll complete the larger practical projects, returning in January with a professional brand, an online presence and a business that's ready to market and sell.
Week 1 – Your Business Model
Understand how your business will generate income.
You'll explore:
Your products and services
Different income streams
Choosing what to launch first
Future opportunities for growth
Understanding customer value
An introduction to pricing and cash flow
Planning your first year in business
Week 2 – Building the Business
Putting the legal and financial foundations in place.
You'll explore:
Choosing the right business structure
Registering with HMRC (where appropriate)
Opening a business bank account
Choosing accounting software
Keeping business records
Understanding your responsibilities as a business owner
Insurance and legal essential
Week 3 – Building Your Brand
Creating a professional identity.
You'll explore:
Defining your business personality
Brand values
Business naming
Logo design
Colour palette and typography
Building a consistent visual identity
Business cards and printed materials
Week 4 – Creating Your Online Presence
Building your digital home.
You'll explore:
Why every creative business needs a website
Choosing the right platform
Website structure
Essential website pages
Portfolio pages
Contact forms
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Domain and email setup
Photography and visual presentation
Week 5 – Creating Your Content
Preparing what customers will actually see.
You'll explore:
Writing your story
Your artist or business biography
Business and product descriptions
Photography
Building your portfolio
Creating collections
Downloadable resources
Content planning
Week 6 – Digital Foundations
Preparing for launch.
You'll explore:
Choosing the right social media platforms
Why less is often more
Creating professional social media accounts
Google Business Profile (where appropriate)
Email marketing fundamentals
Building your first audience
Preparing for launch
Christmas Practical Assignment
The Christmas break becomes one of the most productive stages of the programme, giving you uninterrupted time to complete the larger practical projects that bring your business to life.
During the Christmas break you'll:
Finish your website
Photograph your work
Build your online portfolio
Complete your first product or service collection
Write your website content
Upload your products or services
Produce marketing images
Prepare your launch materials
Refine your branding
Begin trading, where appropriate
By the End of Module 2 You'll Have
✔ A registered business (where appropriate)
✔ A dedicated business bank account
✔ Accounting software in place
✔ A professional brand identity
✔ A functioning website
✔ Products or services ready to sell
✔ Professional photography and marketing content
✔ Social media channels ready for launch
✔ The foundations of a real creative business
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Purpose
Building a business is only the beginning.
This module focuses on helping you identify the right customers, choose the best ways to reach them and develop the confidence to market and sell your work.
By the end of this module, your business will be visible, your marketing will be underway, and you'll have begun building a loyal customer base.
Week 1 – Finding Your Customers
Who are you trying to reach, and why would they choose your work?
You'll explore:
Understanding your ideal customer
Consumer and business customers
What customers really value
Solving problems and creating value
Customer personas
The customer journey
Positioning your business
Defining your target market
Week 2 – Choosing Your Routes to Market
Where should customers discover and buy your work?
You'll explore:
Selling through your own website
Online marketplaces
Galleries and retailers
Exhibitions and art fairs
Open studios
Workshops and teaching
Corporate clients
Licensing
Wholesale opportunities
Collaborations and partnerships
Choosing the right channels for your business
Week 3 – Marketing Your Business
How do you build awareness without feeling like you're constantly selling?
You'll explore:
Building a simple marketing strategy
Using social media with purpose
Choosing the right platforms
Content planning
Storytelling
Email marketing
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Public relations
Networking
Building trust and credibility
Week 4 – Pricing and Selling with Confidence
Helping customers say yes.
You'll explore:
Pricing psychology
Pricing with confidence
Presenting your prices
Talking about your work
Handling objections
Selling at exhibitions and events
Selling online
Commissions
Following up enquiries
Building long-term customer relationships
Week 5 – Launching Your Business
Putting everything into practice.
You'll explore:
Preparing for launch
Soft launch versus public launch
Measuring results
Gathering customer feedback
Refining your offer
Setting sales goals
Building momentum
Planning your next ninety days
By the End of Module 3 You'll Have
A launched creative business
A clearly defined ideal customer
The right routes to market for your business
A practical marketing strategy
Confidence in pricing and selling your work
A growing customer base
Your first enquiries, customers or sales
A ninety-day action plan for continued growth
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Purpose
Creating a business is only the beginning. Long-term success depends on understanding how to manage it well.
In this module, you'll learn how to make informed commercial decisions, price your work profitably, manage cash flow and understand the legal, financial and operational responsibilities of running a business.
By the end of this module, you'll have the knowledge and systems needed to operate your business professionally and profitably.
Week 1 – Understanding Your Business Finances
Know where your money comes from, where it goes and what drives profit.
You'll explore:
Revenue, costs and profit
Gross profit and net profit
Fixed and variable costs
Costing your products and services
Pricing for sustainable profit
Understanding your break-even point
Introduction to cash flow
Why profitable businesses can still run out of cash
Week 2 – Managing Money and Business Performance
Good businesses don't guess. They measure.
You'll explore:
Cash flow management
Forecasting income and expenditure
Budgeting
Managing business expenses
Record keeping
Using accounting software effectively
Understanding financial reports
Monitoring business performance
Making informed business decisions
Week 3 – Your Responsibilities as a Business Owner
Professional businesses protect themselves and their customers.
You'll explore:
Legal responsibilities
HMRC responsibilities
Tax essentials
Record keeping requirements
Data protection (GDPR)
Consumer rights
Contracts and terms of business
Copyright and intellectual property
Insurance for creative businesses
Health and safety, where appropriate
Week 4 – Running an Efficient Business
Creating systems that give you more time to create.
You'll explore:
Managing your workload
Business processes and workflows
Time management
Delivering customer orders
Providing excellent customer service
Quality control
Managing suppliers
Planning for growth
Reviewing what's working
Continuous improvement
By the End of Module 4 You'll Have
✓ A profitable pricing structure
✓ A clear understanding of your business finances
✓ A practical cash flow forecast and budget
✓ Systems for managing your business efficiently
✓ A clear understanding of your legal and tax responsibilities
✓ Appropriate business records, policies and procedures
✓ Greater confidence in running your business professionally
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Purpose
A successful business is built for the long term, not just for today.
In this module, you'll learn how to improve efficiency, create repeatable systems, automate routine tasks and develop a sustainable growth strategy. You'll explore how to build consistent marketing rhythms, expand your income streams and create a business that gives you greater freedom while continuing to grow.
By the end of this module, you'll have a clear plan for developing your business beyond its first year.
Week 1 – Building an Efficient Business
Work smarter, not harder.
As your business grows, the way you work becomes just as important as the work you produce.
You'll explore:
Reviewing your business processes
Managing your workload
Time management and productivity
Creating repeatable workflows
Standardising routine tasks
Delivering a consistent customer experience
Planning your working week
Week 2 – Automation and Digital Tools
Let technology do the repetitive work.
Automation allows you to spend less time on administration and more time creating, selling and serving your customers.
You'll explore:
Automating routine business tasks
Website automations
Online bookings
Payment systems
Invoicing
Email automation
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Digital filing and organisation
AI tools for creative businesses
Choosing technology that genuinely saves time
Week 3 – Building Consistent Marketing
Successful businesses market consistently, not occasionally.
Rather than relying on inspiration, you'll learn how to create sustainable marketing rhythms that build awareness throughout the year.
You'll explore:
Creating a marketing calendar
Email newsletters
Social media planning
Seasonal campaigns
Product launches
Content batching
Repurposing content
Building an audience over time
Measuring marketing effectiveness
Week 4 – Planning for Growth
Growth should be intentional, not accidental.
With your business established, you'll explore how it can evolve over the coming years without becoming overwhelming.
You'll explore:
Reviewing business performance
Expanding your products and services
Developing additional income streams
Knowing when to launch new products
Scaling sustainably
Partnerships and collaborations
Outsourcing and delegation
Setting one, three and five-year goals
Building a resilient business
By the End of Module 5 You'll Have
✓ More efficient business systems
✓ Time-saving automations
✓ A year-round marketing rhythm
✓ A plan for expanding your income streams
✓ A sustainable growth strategy
✓ A clear one-year business development plan
✓ Greater confidence in the long-term direction of your business
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Purpose
This final module is about looking beyond the qualification and creating a clear vision for the future of your business.
You'll reflect on everything you've achieved, develop a professional business plan, set ambitious but achievable goals and create a roadmap for the years ahead. You'll also prepare to present your business at the Professional Business Showcase, celebrating how far you've come and sharing your plans for the future.
By the end of this module, you'll have the confidence, clarity and direction to continue growing your business long after the programme has finished.
Week 1 – Looking Back to Move Forward
Understand where you are before deciding where you're going.
You'll explore:
Reflecting on your business journey
Reviewing your business performance
Lessons learned
Celebrating your successes
Identifying opportunities for improvement
Refining your business model
Defining what success means to you
Week 2 – Creating Your Business Plan
Turn your ideas into a clear plan for the future.
You'll explore:
Writing a practical business plan
Defining your business vision
Reviewing your products and services
Understanding your target market
Financial planning
Marketing strategy
Setting business priorities
Measuring success
Week 3 – Planning Your Future
Think beyond the next few months.
You'll explore:
Setting one-year business goals
Creating a three-year vision
Planning for business growth
Developing future income streams
Investment priorities
Personal and professional development
Managing risks and opportunities
Building resilience
Week 4 – Presenting Your Business
Celebrate your achievements and prepare for the future.
You'll explore:
Preparing for the Professional Business Showcase
Presenting your business professionally
Telling your business story
Demonstrating your achievements
Sharing your future ambitions
Presentation skills
Receiving constructive feedback
Building your professional network
By the End of Module 6 You'll Have
✓ A professional business plan
✓ A clear one-year operational plan
✓ A three-year vision for your business
✓ Clearly defined business goals and priorities
✓ A completed Professional Business Showcase presentation
✓ A professional business portfolio
✓ The confidence and clarity to continue growing your business beyond graduation
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Purpose
Bring everything together, celebrate your achievements and look confidently towards the future.
Over two inspiring days, you'll showcase the business you've built throughout the programme, share your journey with fellow participants and invited guests, and celebrate everything you've achieved.
The Professional Business Showcase is the culmination of your qualification—a chance to reflect on your progress, receive valuable feedback and graduate with a business that's already established and ready for its next stage of growth.
During the Showcase, you'll:
Present your business to fellow participants, invited guests and industry professionals
Share the story behind your business and the journey you've taken
Receive constructive professional feedback
Celebrate your achievements as part of your graduating cohort
Build valuable connections within the creative community
Look ahead with confidence as you prepare for the next stage of your entrepreneurial journey
By the End of the Qualification You'll Have
✓ An active creative business you've built, tested and begun to run
✓ A professional brand and online presence
✓ Products or services ready to sell
✓ A professionally written business plan
✓ A one-year operational plan
✓ A three-year business vision
✓ Clear business goals and priorities
✓ A Professional Qualification in the Business of Art
✓ Membership of the Ogilvie Business School Alumni Network
✓ The confidence, knowledge and commercial skills to continue growing your business long after graduation
Who is this qualification for?
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art is designed for people who want to build a business or career around art, creativity and the wider creative economy.
It is suitable for people at every stage of their creative journey, whether you're just starting out, already selling your work or looking to develop a new creative business.
It is particularly suitable for:
Artists and painters
Designers and makers
Photographers and filmmakers
Ceramicists, jewellers and textile artists
Illustrators and digital creatives
Creative freelancers
Gallery and studio owners
Creative entrepreneurs
People developing creative products or brands
Individuals wanting to build a business around their creative skills
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements. Applicants should have a genuine interest in building a business or career connected to art, creativity or the wider creative economy, together with the commitment to develop and apply their ideas throughout the programme.
By the end of the programme you'll be able to...
✔ Build a creative business that reflects your own ambitions and goals.
✔ Develop the confidence to price, promote and sell your work.
✔ Understand how successful creative businesses generate sustainable income.
✔ Build a recognisable brand and professional online presence.
✔ Create products and services that customers genuinely value.
✔ Understand your legal, financial and tax responsibilities as a business owner.
✔ Develop practical skills in pricing, budgeting and managing business finances.
✔ Market your business with greater confidence and clarity.
✔ Build meaningful relationships with customers, collaborators and the wider creative community.
✔ Create practical systems that support long-term success.
✔ Present your business professionally through the final Business Showcase.
✔ Graduate with a business that you've created, tested and begun to run.
Meet your programme leader
Heather Ogilvie
Heather Ogilvie is the Founder and CEO of Ogilvie Business School, a former accountant, a business strategist, artist and entrepreneur.
Having spent more than thirty years building, growing and transforming businesses, Heather created this qualification to bridge the gap between creativity and commercial success. Throughout her corporate career, she worked with executive teams and boards, leading major business transformations, acquisitions, restructurings, international expansion and organisational turnaround across a wide range of industries.
Alongside her corporate career, Heather has developed her own art practice, exhibiting across Scotland and building a creative business from the ground up. She has also advised businesses operating at the highest levels of the creative industries, including a major transformation project with one of the world's leading pattern designers. She understands both the commercial realities of creative businesses and the challenges of turning artistic talent into sustainable income because she has experienced both sides of that journey.
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art brings together these two worlds. Students benefit from practical commercial knowledge, real business experience and a genuine understanding of the creative industries, learning from someone who has built and supported businesses in both corporate and creative environments.
Heather's teaching is practical, supportive and immediately applicable. Every session is designed to help participants leave with greater confidence and another piece of their business successfully completed.
You can view Heather’s artwork at www.arthappy.co.uk
Why Ogilvie Business School?
Every programme at Ogilvie Business School is designed and delivered by people who have actually built businesses, led organisations and made commercial decisions in the real world.
We believe business isn't learned by memorising theory.
It's learned by building something, solving problems, making decisions and creating value.
That's why every qualification combines practical teaching with immediate real-world application, ensuring participants leave with confidence, capability and measurable progress.
Why Choose This Qualification
Every lesson combines real commercial experience with practical action, helping you build your own creative business week by week.
You won’t just graduate with knowledge; you will graduate with your own functioning business.
✓ Learn from an experienced business strategist, former Group CFO and professional artist.
✓ Build your own creative business while you study.
✓ Gain practical skills in finance, pricing, marketing, sales and business strategy.
✓ Complete practical assignments that directly develop your own business.
✓ Benefit from small cohort teaching and personalised feedback.
✓ Learn from real business experience, not just theory.
✓ Graduate with a professionally recognised qualification.
✓ Become a lifelong member of the Ogilvie Business School Alumni Network.
✓ Leave with your own creative business built, tested and ready to grow.
Programme Investment
£2,950 including VAT
A monthly payment plan is available.
Your programme investment includes:
26 weekly 4-hour-long in-person teaching sessions delivered across one academic year.
Weekly practical assignments designed to guide you to build your business
Final Business Showcase week
All teaching materials and programme resources
Personalised feedback throughout the programme
Guest sessions from successful artists and creative business owners
Award of the Professional Qualification in the Business of Art
Invitation to the Ogilvie Business School Graduation Dinner
Lifetime membership of the Ogilvie Business School Alumni Network
Programme Dates
Teaching & Assessment Calendar
The Professional Qualification in the Business of Art is delivered over one academic year through weekly teaching, practical assignments and a final Business Showcase.
Teaching takes place every Tuesday from 9.00am to 1.00pm during the module dates shown opposite. Between teaching sessions, participants complete practical assignments within their own businesses, with larger projects set during academic holidays to allow dedicated time for activities such as building websites, creating products, developing portfolios, and launching their businesses.
This qualification has been designed around the natural rhythm of owning a creative business. While weekly teaching provides new knowledge and direction, the periods between classes and modules also allow time to create artwork, develop products, build collections, and apply each stage of learning within your own business. The creative process cannot be rushed, and the programme has been designed to give it the time it deserves.
Attendance & Progression
Because this is a practical, experience-based programme, regular attendance is expected throughout the year. Every teaching session builds on the previous week's learning and directly contributes to your business's development.
If exceptional circumstances prevent attendance, participants should notify the Programme Leader as soon as possible.
Award Requirements
To be awarded the Professional Qualification, participants must:
Attend the weekly in-person classes regularly
Complete all practical assignments and module activities
Develop and present a functioning creative business at the Professional Business Showcase
Demonstrate achievement of the programme learning outcomes
The emphasis throughout the programme is on applying knowledge in practice. By graduation, you'll have created, launched and begun operating your own creative business.
Your creativity deserves the opportunity to succeed.
If you've ever wondered whether you could make a living from your creativity, this qualification is designed to help you find out.
Over one academic year, you'll build your own creative business with practical, step-by-step guidance — developing the commercial knowledge, confidence and skills to turn your creativity into sustainable income.
Join the Founding Cohort of the Professional Qualification in the Business of Art and graduate with far more than a qualification:
Graduate with your own creative business built, tested and ready to grow.
Ready to build your creative business?
Choose the payment option that works best for you.
Both options include the complete Professional Qualification in the Business of Art.
PAY IN FULL — £2,950
(including VAT)
PAY IN INSTALLMENTS — £3,150
(including VAT)
£750 deposit + six monthly payments of £400, all including VAT