Sector Focus


Finance


Sponsored by: University of Birmingham The calm after the storm


MSc Financial Management at Birmingham Business School becomes a dual qualification programme


By Dr. Abimbola Adedeji Programme Director


All students graduating from the MSc Financial Management programme will be able to gain the ACT’s professional qualifications – the Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and Certificate in Treasury - if they meet the required criteria either through exemption or further study. ACT qualifications are recognised as the global standard for treasury and are an indicator that those holding them are qualified to work in treasury roles in local and multinational organisations. Birmingham Business School


is the first and only ACT ACCREDITED UNIVERSITY under their new qualifications programme at this time. Speaking about the


collaboration with the ACT, Professor Simon Collinson, Dean of Birmingham Business School said: “We are delighted to be working with the ACT as an accredited University partner, particularly as we are the first and only University to collaborate with them on the offering of a dual qualification programme for their new Certificates. There are many types of


master’s degree programmes in the area of finance and this partnership now differentiates our programme whilst giving our students’ qualification additional value when they graduate. Having the ability to get a head start on the professional qualifications ladder is significant; it means our MSc Financial Management graduates have a competitive edge and enhanced employability post-graduation.” Colin Tyler, ACT Chief


Executive said “We are delighted to be working with Birmingham Business School at the University of Birmingham to support the development of international future finance talent.”


If you would like to contact us directly to learn more, please email: msc-bbs@contacts.bham.ac.uk or telephone: +44 (0)121 414 8626


50 CHAMBERLINK May 2016


The worst extremes of the global economic roller- coaster ride may be over, according to Mark Berrisford-Smith, head of economics for HSBC commercial banking in the UK. Speaking at a seminar organised and hosted jointly


by business and finance advisers Grant Thornton and HSBC, Mr Berrisford-Smith highlighted the factors responsible for what he called an ‘interesting ride’ over the last seven to eight months.


‘The world has calmed but the problems have not gone away’


He said: “China’s attempt at devaluation; oil at under $30 a barrel; collapsing commodity prices and volatile stock markets have all played their part, but it appears that the worst is over - for now. A combination of global stimulus measures, including a package from the European Central Bank to encourage commercial banks to lend more to the real economy, and the Federal Reserve in the US rowing back on forecasts for interest rate rises, have helped to assuage financial markets. The world has calmed but the problems have not gone away.” Mr Berrisford-Smith’s analysis also examined the UK


economy’s growth potential given its current position at close to its full capacity. He said: “There are only two ways to achieve


sustainable growth at a faster rate: a bigger workforce, and improved productivity through structural reforms, improved processes and technology, and better infrastructure – none of which can happen quickly. So in the short term growth is likely to remain pegged at slightly above two per cent.


Roller coaster ride is over (from left): Mark Berrisford-Smith, David Hillan and Markus Keller (head of corporate banking, HSBC, Birmingham)


David Hillan, head of corporate tax and practice


leader for Grant Thornton in Birmingham, said: “Mark gave a timely and extremely insightful analysis of both global and domestic economic indicators. “And although it appears that we’re enjoying a


period of calm, Mark believes there may be further turbulence ahead. His focus on increased productivity as a pre-requisite for higher growth levels was very interesting and was also highlighted in Grant Thornton’s recent research into the conditions required to create a vibrant economy in the UK.”


Cara Haffey: exciting opportunity for growth


Focus on people and not profits (from left): Jamie Johnson (Moore Stephens), John Wyn-Evans (Investec Wealth & Investment), Ross Northall and Paul Fenner (both Moore Stephens)


Shift focus from profit


Business owners across the West Midlands have been warned they could be risking their own retirement plans by concentrating on profits – and not on their management team. Paul Fenner, who works at Moore Stephens’ Birmingham office, said


an increasing number of business owners looking to exit their companies focused on the finances first, when establishing a strong market and management team should be top of the priority list. He suggested to a meeting of business owners from the city that


they had to establish an effective management team up to five years before exiting the company to have a much better chance of maximising value on sale. Moore Stephens hosted a succession planning round table in partnership with Investec Wealth & Investment for owner-managed businesses based across the Midlands. The session looked in depth at how and when to sell a business, the


different structures of sales from MBOs and Vendor Initiated Management Buyouts (VIMBOs) to trade sales, obtaining funding, along with tax implications to consider and where to invest funds when the sale has gone through.


Highlighting a


growing sector Business experts PwC acted as lead adviser on the sale of Bromford Holdings Ltd in a deal crucial to the Midlands aerospace sector. The corporate finance industrial


products team at PwC in the Midlands provided expert advice to Darwin Private Equity on the sale of Bromford Holdings Limited to Liberty Hall Capital Partners. Cara Haffey, Midlands’ industrial


products partner and PwC’s UK head of industrial manufacturing, said: “This deal highlights the quality of businesses here in the Midlands in the aerospace supply chain. “In common with many Midlands


aerospace suppliers, Bromford is well placed to capitalise on the significant potential offered by current aerospace market dynamics.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64