About
Our Philosophy
At Near Future, we help our clients encapsulate future financial outcomes through a bespoke financial model. Our seasoned consultants specialise in solving the toughest forecasting challenges: using a structured approach, we condense and translate complex transaction terms into a transparent and robust model engine. Using a transparent approach which can be followed by even novice Excel users, our models transform a range of inputs into key outputs such as IRR and debt metrics which can be sensitised and compared across projects or investments.
We believe that the secret to successful model development is not only technical expertise but also effective project management. This is why each of our projects is led by a dedicated, senior director who takes ownership of and responsibility for the success of the project.
Additionally, with our model review and audit services, we provide you, your investors or financiers with comfort over the integrity of models that have been developed in-house or by other advisors.
Through our range of training courses, we transfer this knowledge to our clients, helping them make lasting improvements to the way they forecast, thus enabling more informed decision making.
Our Team
Marli van Staden-Basson
Founder
Qualifications CFA, CA(SA)
Email [email protected]
Phone +44 (0) 77485 56239
Marli is a financial modelling specialist with nearly 20 years’ experience in financial services. She founded Near Future in 2016, with the aim of providing high quality, director-led financial modelling services to infrastructure investors and corporate clients.
Marli leads model developments and model audits on deals in a wide range of industries and geographies. She is also an experienced trainer who has delivered courses across the globe, including in London, New York, Frankfurt and Johannesburg.
Prior to founding Near Future, Marli gained experience in M&A and Valuations at PwC London before honing her infrastructure modelling skills at a boutique consultancy. Born and bred in sunny South Africa, she started her career at Deloitte Cape Town in 2007. She qualified as a statutory auditor and attained her CFA charter in parallel, before relocating to London in 2010.
In her free time, Marli is an enthusiastic cook, a lover of wine and mother to an unruly toddler and a sassy pre-schooler.
Luke Underwood
Senior Associate
Qualifications Bachelor in Business Administration (First Class)
Email [email protected]
Phone +44 (0) 75415 19252
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Luke joined the Near Future London team at the beginning of 2026. Prior to this, he specialised in financial statement audits at PwC London, where he completed his ACA qualification. His client portfolio primarily comprised listed companies in the energy, engineering and industrial sectors, including two renewable energy-focused clients. Luke also brings industry experience from his time as a consolidation accountant, as well as experience in banking.
At Near Future, Luke has contributed to the development of financial models for wind, solar and BESS projects across Europe. He has also been involved in financial model audits, where he leverages both his audit background and financial modelling expertise to deliver robust and reliable outcomes
In his spare time, Luke is a passionate investor and enjoys hiking in Spain, where he grew up.
Lenn Maja
Senior Associate
Qualifications B.Acc; Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy
Email [email protected]
Phone +27 (0)(0) 787 538 156
Lenn joined the Near Future team in March 2026. Before this, he completed his Chartered Accountancy qualification at PwC South Africa, where he specialised in financial statement audits for clients in a range of sectors including technology, media and financial services. Since starting his role at Near Future, Lenn has supported the team on several model audits in the energy and digital infrastructure sectors. He has also been working on a model development for an ammonia project, supporting the client with aligning the model with indicative term sheets.
In his spare time, Lenn enjoys running and can regularly be found on the Padel court.
Jamie Richmond
Associate
Qualifications M.Phil (Distinction); BS Economics and Mathematics (First Class)
Email [email protected]
Phone +44 (0) 7407 555 894
Jamie joined the Near Future London team in May 2026. He holds an MPhil in Finance from the University of Cambridge (Judge Business School), where he graduated top of his year with Distinction, having previously achieved a First Class degree in Economics and Mathematics from the University of St Andrews.
Prior to joining Near Future, Jamie worked as an Equity Analyst at a London-based investment research firm, covering listed real estate companies. He built and maintained integrated financial models, translating public disclosures and market data into forward target prices that drove buy, hold and sell recommendations within a long/short strategy.
At Near Future, Jamie is applying his valuation and modelling expertise to corporate and project finance transactions. He contributes to the development and audit of financial models for renewable energy projects across Europe, where his quantitative background supports robust, reliable modelling.
Outside of work, Jamie enjoys playing football and tennis.
Doug Murray
Consultant
Qualifications PhD Theoretical Physics; BScHons
Email [email protected]
Phone +44 (0) 77485 56239
Doug is a seasoned financial modeller with a successful track record spanning over two decades. Doug’s areas of expertise include financial model audit and VBA development. He supports the Near Future team as a specialist consultant.
In 2005, Doug developed and cofounded Spreadsheet Advantage, an Excel add-in that helps spreadsheet developers and users increase productivity. It contains various tools including ones to align and compare different versions of spreadsheets, analyse the logic flow in them and to produce a map of each worksheet.