BE PREPARED FOR MORE UNCERTAINTY
Expert View by Matt Robinson
Rosebud fund manager
At the time of writing, it feels like there is a perfect storm on the horizon. New variants, looming lockdown fears and inflating input costs.
It is critical therefore that you plan, plan and plan again for the worst- case scenario. If you have planned and prepared for the worst, and it doesn’t materialise, then the upside is yours.
Work with your advisors to develop several sets of forecasts linked to each scenario. We all know cash is the lifeblood of any business – what are your cash reserves like?
If you are concerned that they aren’t robust enough to withstand a downturn, can you access additional liquidity should you need it? This could be by way of liquidating stock or other assets, stretching
corporate ESG requirements will likely come to prominence.”
Jess Jackson, head of investment at GC Angels and co-founder of Fund Her North, adds: “We’re seeing an increase in ‘tech for good’ companies with wide-reaching implications.
“This is an arena where angel investment can really make a difference. By pairing these businesses with the right investors, we can play an important role in expanding the impact of their technologies.
We see
climate as a key focus area
“Importantly, there is valuable work to be done to create a more equal investment landscape for businesses with black and minority ethnic founders and female founders.”
Susan Haslem, relationship director at NatWest banks says there is a £160bn-plus revenue opportunity for SMEs thanks to the drive to tackle climate change across the UK.
Susan Haslem
She says: “We see climate as a key focus area for many of our customers going forward. With the right support, many SMEs will benefit financially from reducing their carbon footprint.
“To support this NatWest has pledged £100bn of climate and sustainable funding by 2025 to support the investment the UK needs.”
Steve Wilkinson, manufacturing advisor from the Lancashire Manufacturing Growth Fund, says businesses also need to think about and outline additional added value factors when applying for grant funding support.
creditors, injecting personal funds or raising external capital.
If you require support from your bank or lender in any form, speak to them early and with transparency; help is available. The Recovery Loan Scheme is all that remains of the government’s Covid business support schemes.
Its deadline was extended to June 2022, however, from January onwards the guarantee has reduced to 70 per cent. Visit the British Business Bank’s website to find an accredited lender.
Despite the doom and gloom, many, in fact the majority, of businesses that I speak to are trading and trading well. If 2022 has growth in store for you, the good news is the market is awash with debt and equity investors who are sitting on cash and keen to invest.
That includes their efforts towards carbon reduction as well as regional procurement, equality and diversity and skills.
He adds: “Going down the grant route potentially allows the required support which can be the catalyst to a step-change for the business. I believe that it also ‘forces’ any applicant to reflect and think deeper around what they are doing and why.”
Steve says some grants are currently underused. Lynne Gillen, export manager at the Department for International Trade (DIT), is urging Lancashire businesses to take advantage of a new government fund aimed directly at SMEs with export ambitions.
The DIT’s Internationalisation Fund means SMEs looking to expand into new overseas markets can now apply for up to £9,000 of match funding.
Lynne says: “Lancashire has one of the largest pots of funding.”
It can be used for help with a range of issues, including market research, IP advice, translation services, international social media and SEO work, trade fairs, independent market visits and consultancy.
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
81
FUNDING
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 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
