Dave Watts

Some important analysis and practical proposals for a way forward here…well done to Schroders and Pensions Management Institute (PMI) for pulling this together.

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Yesterday, Baker Ing, in partnership with FIS and the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), hosted a forum on Optimising Commercial Growth Whilst Balancing Credit Risk at the stunning Walbrook Building in London. We were thrilled to welcome credit and finance professionals from across industries to share insights, explore trends, and discuss the evolving role of credit management in supporting sustainable growth and resilience. Key Takeaways: 🔮 Economic Outlook 2025 Markus Kuger, Baker Ing’s Chief Economic Advisor, offered a data-rich analysis of the year ahead, covering stabilising inflation, global growth challenges, and the impact of geopolitical uncertainty. 📌 Want the full insights? Download Markus’s presentation here: https://lnkd.in/e_8J-bBb 💡 Aligning Credit and Sales for Growth Lisa Baker-Reynolds MCICM, Baker Ing’s CEO, shared her actionable strategies for bridging the gap between credit and sales, positioning credit professionals as strategic enablers of growth. 📌 Get Lisa’s presentation and learn how credit meets strategy: Download here: https://lnkd.in/eF6p5TTk 🤖 The Future of O2C Aida Issazadeh MCICM from FIS delved into how AI and machine learning are revolutionising credit management, providing insights into risk assessment and vulnerability detection. As a special thanks, we’ve made Lisa’s presentation viewable in full right here on LinkedIn below. Explore a thought-provoking framework for aligning credit and sales to drive organisational success. To all our incredible speakers, attendees, and collaborators - thank you for making this event such a success. A special shoutout to Aida Issazadeh MCICM for her flawless coordination and to Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) for their continued support. Missed the event? Don’t worry — we’ll be sharing more takeaways and highlights in the days ahead. Here’s to the future of credit management — stronger, smarter, and more connected than ever 👍 #CreditManagement #CICM #BakerIng #OptimisingGrowth #AI #FinanceInnovation #ReceivablesManagement

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James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group, and member of the Transition Finance Market Review’s Expert Group, discusses an unexpected finding from the Transition Finance Market Review. Central to the findings of the Review are recommendations on how to unlock required levels of finance by creating the right policies, pathways and signals for investment through collaboration between government, investors, business and civil society. This landmark Review is co-sponsored by HM Treasury and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and hosted by the City of London Corporation. Download the full findings of the review: https://lnkd.in/eaTRx6s8 #TransitionFinanceMarketReview #IndependentReview #SustainableFinance

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EQUITIES: Watch the latest insights from Rathbones Asset Management Fund Managers – In Conversation Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gPg4R_Z4 #ProfessionalInvestors #InConversation #RathbonesAssetManagement #Equities #OutNow #SustainableInvesting #UKEquities #GlobalEquities

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For firms regulated in Jersey,Guernsey or Isle of Man, training plays a pivotal role in maintaining compliance standards and managing evolving regulatory demands. Under the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) guidelines for example, ongoing staff education is crucial to upholding a firm’s regulatory framework, specifically in areas like anti-money laundering (AML), risk assessment, and compliance monitoring. Robust training ensures that employees are well-versed in current obligations and proactive in identifying and addressing risks. With the RuleWise Quest module, firms can achieve this effortlessly. Quest combines interactive learning modules and scenario-based training to keep teams sharp and compliant. Regular training and certification reinforce compliance and operational resilience, making it a cornerstone of regulated firms’ strategy in Guernsey. For more details on how we assist in achieving regulatory excellence through training . Call me for a demo of this module within the RuleWise stable.

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David Harris, Head of Sustainable Finance Strategic Initiatives at the LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group), and member of the Transition Finance Market Review’s Expert Group, discusses the opportunity presented by the transition to net zero. The UK is uniquely positioned to become a leading hub for the transition finance market and use its leadership position for financial and professional services to accelerate the global transition. The UK’s Transition Finance Market Review (TFMR) provides a framework to scale the market for transition finance in the UK and globally. This landmark Review is co-sponsored by HM Treasury and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and hosted by the City of London Corporation. Download the full findings of the review: https://lnkd.in/eaTRx6s8 #TransitionFinanceMarketReview #IndependentReview #SustainableFinance

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Celebrating Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab: A Timeless Lesson in Honest Work and Community Service Today, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and a guiding light whose teachings continue to inspire millions around the globe. Guru Nanak Dev Ji emphasised three core principles: 1.Naam Japna (Meditation and Connection with the Divine) 2. Kirat Karni (Earning an Honest Living) 3. Vand Chakna (Sharing with and Supporting the Community) As we reflect on his teachings, the principle of *Kirat Karni*—working hard with integrity and humility—feels especially significant in today’s professional world. It reminds us that work is not solely about individual achievement but also about making a positive contribution to society in an ethical and responsible manner. Similarly, *Vand Chakna*, the act of sharing and serving the community selflessly, holds timeless relevance. It encourages us to give back, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply offering support to those in need. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings resonate strongly with the values of inclusivity, collaboration, and allyship that are integral to creating thriving workplaces and communities. By living these principles, we can foster environments where everyone is empowered to succeed, while driving meaningful social impact. May this Gurpurab inspire us all to lead with integrity, work with purpose, and embrace the power of collective action. Happy Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab! #Leadership #CommunityService #Integrity #SikhHeritage #DiversityAndInclusion #Gurpurab

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Today the FCA issued Dear CEO letters relating to the Consumer Duty for closed products and services. The Annex 1 is a very helpful summary and definition.

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On this #Remembrance Day 🔺we honor those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. Let’s take a moment to remember their courage, dedication, and the lasting impact of their service. May we never forget the lessons of the past and strive to uphold the values they defended ❇️ Sterling Professional Finance Limited Manish Babla Sheila Savani Jay Damania Rughani 🧘🏽‍♀️Mind, Energy and Soul Alignment Expert #bridgingloansuk #weloveharrow #smefinance #sterling #funding #commercialfinance #cashflow #bespokefinance #propertyfunding #financialsolutionsinaworldofchange

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Calling all smaller asset managers. The Independent Investment Management Initiative will be responding to the Financial Conduct Authority’s Call for Input on Consumer Duty. In their webinar this morning, Consumer Duty - 1 year on, they highlighted their desire to engage with practitioners on the TCD requirements with a view to staying focused on what is really required to improve customer outcomes. Culture is key and we know this isn’t a one-time piece of regulation but rather a long-term expectation of firms to continually focus on putting customers first. I look forward to hearing from you on your views. #consumerduty #culture

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Results from the BoE 2024 desk-based stress test suggest that the UK banking system is in a strong position to support households and businesses even if economic, financial and business conditions turned out to be substantially worse than expected. Net interest margins are anticipated to remain broadly stable, with widespread use of hedging practices likely to reduce banks’ sensitivity to expected falls in interest rates. The FPC has maintained the UK countercyclical capital buffer (CCyB) rate at its neutral setting of 2%. https://lnkd.in/ebVB6mMR

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I am delighted to be speaking at The Annual UK Mortgage Finance Conference at the Landmark London on 18th September 2024, where I’ll be on the following panel: "Alternative Lender Financing: A Glimpse into Specialist Lender, Challenger Bank, and Building Societies Financial Destiny". Check out the full agenda here for more details. #DealCatalyst #GetDealsDone #MortgageFinance #Securitisation #StructuredFinance”

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How can sustainable financing act as a key driver of UK economic growth? I’ve penned my thoughts on the valuable role Green, Social and Sustainability (GSS) bonds can play in supporting UK economic growth:   https://lnkd.in/ei-kgrGa   #Sustainabilty #SustainableFinancing

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Commenting on the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, Abhimanyu Chatterjee, Chief Investment Strategist at Dynamic Planner said: “It does not come as a surprise to any market participant that the Bank of England has held the interest rates at 5.25%. What does come as a surprise is that there was a split in the vote, with two members voting in favour of rate cuts. "According to the MPC, growth is expected to return to the UK, if figures of 0.4% in Q1 and 0.2% in Q2 can be considered to be growth. But demand is expected to be weaker than supply, with unwinding of higher energy costs to help temper inflation." Abhi continued: “Reading the comments, one understands the reasoning behind the split vote. This will no doubt fuel expectations of rate cuts in the upcoming meetings, driving yields down and creating exuberant equity markets – to further bolster the 'feel-good' factor in the economy. "However, it would be prudent on the part of the Bank of England to carefully consider the next steps, as the conditions which caused inflation to be stickier than expected have not changed. The agglomerated effects of the macro environment could weigh heavily on the interest rate decisions. While it is desirable to have lower interest rates to fuel growth, the unintended consequences of a hasty decision could possibly make us careful what we wish for." #BankofEngland #InterestRates #UKeconomy #BoEdecision #monetarypolicy

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Financial services organisations are being held to task by investors and the FCA. A common opinion is that Financial services are significantly behind on Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), and some have even gone as far as saying that a lot of what has been done so far in may organisations, has just been lip service. What we commonly see is organisations publicly committing to Gender equality and creating targets to include gender diversity within senior leadership and management roles. This is fantastic, don’t get me wrong but what about everyone else? Check out our latest blog for some advice on how you can get ahead and create measurable and inclusive change for all your employees, not just some. https://lnkd.in/eJTfZMxB. Send us a DM, if you’re ready to start thinking about how you move things forward in your organisation. #FinancialServices #DiversityInclusion #EqualityAtWork #InclusiveLeadership #GenderEquality #InclusionMatters

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A fabulous day at the National Housing Federation’s Affordable Home Ownership conference yesterday, superbly organised and chaired by Amy Nettleton (Aster Group UK) and Helen Reddington MSc FCIH (Riverside). Thank you to Silvia Corradini-Silk, Nadia Tsoukala-Steggell and Chloë Rutter for making it happen. It was a pleasure to host a panel discussing how the private sector is helping to address development challenges in affordable housing.   Key takeaways from the panel:   Catherine Raynsford (The Hyde Group) put forward a compelling case for equity investment, setting out how Hyde's deals with M&G Investments have enabled the association to more than double its development outturn over the past three years whilst stabilising its credit rating despite the growing challenges and economic pressures weighing down on the sector's business plans. She also described how HAs can navigate the landscape when management is separated from ownership – and in Hyde’s case, how this has worked successfully long before the more recent equity deals, as they have managed homes on behalf of others for several years.   Stephen Teagle (Vistry Group) set out how private sector partners have already demonstrated their commitment to the resident journey in affordable housing, and how people matter just as much as profit. He called for development and finance colleagues to work more closely together on both sides of partnership arrangements to ensure alignment and shared understanding, and explained how Vistry strive for longer term outcomes beyond the immediate deal close.   Henrietta Podd (Allia C&C) explained how our sector is already in partnership with the private sector, with third party debt funding our business plans for several decades. She reinforced Catherine's point on business plan pressures, and how it is now the time to transition from a debt only model to diversified funding streams including equity. Henrietta described how optimising the risk reward paradigm at the outset is key, so all parties know the risks they are taking on and the returns associated with those risks – and how its incumbent on finance and treasury colleagues to explain these arrangements to credit rating agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that this de-risking is reflected in ratings. There is more to discuss as we continue to refine and develop how we work with the private sector - but there is now growing acceptance that our sector can only build new homes at the volume required if we start to think differently and look at new delivery models which go beyond traditional debt alone.

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