34 finance


Tap the potential of invoice financing


Tracey Bevis, senior new business manager, at Pulse Cashflow Finance, looks at alternative sources of funding for cash-strapped Thames Valley corporates


Financiers to the business sector have long been a target for criticism from politicians and the media alike for not supporting SMEs. We have consistently believed in SMEs and their importance in the local and national economy. Recently we have seen healthy competition in the invoice financing market when the debtors of the business are of sound quality and the sales ledger is in good order.


There is no doubt that access to finance is one of the greatest challenges facing SMEs today. However, contrary to popular belief, funding is trickling its way through to Thames Valley businesses. Yet, it’s not always obvious to owner-managers what sources of alternative funding are available to them. For instance, banks can provide finance through their invoice finance divisions as can numerous independent invoice finance companies.


It’s been a tough time for many Thames Valley businesses across numerous sectors. Some businesses are facing challenging trading conditions and do not have a strong track record of profitability, whilst others have lenders who are not providing funding commensurate with the level of business being written. When assessing the historic financial performance of a business, we take a more relaxed approach than others.


Thames Valley businesses can talk to us about securing crucial funding through our invoice finance and credit and ledger services. We offer a fast turnaround and simple, transparent pricing, with clear monthly financial outgoings. In addition, we can provide high levels of support, as well as outstanding collection credentials that could add significant value to funding and increase the working capital within the business.


Historically, our transactions fall into the £10,000 to £1.5 million bracket, providing customers with ample


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Santander expands business development team


Santander Corporate Banking is expanding its business development team, whose key focus is to support Santander’s growth plans and increased market share aspirations and ambition to be the SME 'bank of choice'.


Andrew Syvret, Chris Hallam and Jonathan Thompson have all been appointed as regional directors for business development, for various regions around the UK, with responsibility for developing new business propositions for Santander Corporate Banking and leading all regional business development activity.


scope for their day-to-day funding requirements and development plans. Unlike other lenders, we do not restrict funding with a facility cap that requires constant review as the business grows.


We are optimistic about the prospects of the Thames Valley region, always acting quickly to provide businesses with the funding they need to grow.


Client case study 1


Pulse Cashflow Finance completes an invoice financing deal with a Welsh recruitment company serving the rail sector. The £6m turnover business was going through a busy period and required more working capital. The customer was able to transfer to us from another lender to ensure it didn’t miss out on the business opportunity. We verified that it was quality debt and the transaction was completed within 15 days.


Client case study 2


Pulse Cashflow Finance completes an invoice financing deal with a printing company with an annual turnover of £10m. The Essex-based company needed to buy more time for its advisers to draw up a refinancing plan. In this case, the business was able to transfer from another lender and Pulse was able to provide funding on the basis of a quality debtor book. The transaction was completed in seven days.


Details: Tracey Bevis enquiries@pulsecashflow.com www.pulsefs.co.uk


Syvret has been appointed as regional director for Thames Valley and the South West, based primarily at the Corporate Business Centre in Southampton. Syvret joins Santander from Goodwood Estates and prior to that RBS. He will be responsible for the regional business development strategy across the Thames Valley and South West regions, including Bristol, Southampton and Reading.


Hallam joins Santander as regional director for the Midlands and Wales. Hallam comes from HSBC where he worked for 30 years, most recently as the head of leading international business. He will be responsible for managing existing customer relationships and sourcing new business and will be based primarily at the Corporate Business Centre in Birmingham.


Thompson has worked at Santander since 2009 and has a total of 15 years experience in the corporate banking industry. He has now been promoted to the role of regional director for the North and he will be leading a team of business development directors across the north of England, including Yorkshire, umber and Merseyside. Thompson will be mainly based in Yorkshire.


The team is led by Damian McGann, head of business development, who said: “It is great to welcome such an experienced team to the business development team. Having experienced market professionals like Andrew, Chris and Jonathan on the team will enable us to move forward with our growth ambitions as we strive to become the SME bank of choice.”


RSM Tenon shortlisted for prestigious tax award


RSM Tenon has been shortlisted for ‘Tax Team in a National Firm’ in this year’s annual Taxation Awards 2012. The awards are considered the gold standard of excellence within the UK tax industry.


The Awards is specifically aimed at accountancy firms that offer a full tax service from a network of offices across the UK, and can demonstrate teamwork, commitment, and the ability to give proactive tax advice to clients.


Nick Parker, southern region head of tax at RSM Tenon, said: "Over the past two years we have doubled the size of our tax team, and have strengthened our


specialist teams on both a national and regional basis. In particular in the last year we have grown our VAT team in the south in order help clients manage complex VAT issues. We are immensely proud of our tax team and what we have achieved in the last couple of years, and are confident that the judges will recognise our strengths and attributes."


RSM Tenon was also awarded National Firm of the Year by the British Accountancy Awards last year.


The final decision will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on May 24, 2012.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2012


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