Kashif Aslam

Do not debtonate? Banks are the main targets here. But private lending, which has blossomed recently and is expected to account for around a third of the leveraged loan market, is also coming under fire. The next wave of refinancing and the potential resurgence of deal activity will mean even closer scrutiny? LPs' appetite for this asset class appears to remain positive 

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Vorboss is calling on Ofcom to introduce an automatic compensation regime for business customers after finding that the UK economy has lost £17.6bn in the last 12 months due to fixed connectivity outages. CEO Tim Creswick, said: "Ofcom's introduction of automatic compensation in the consumer market has been a success, pushing service providers to improve quality, while reassuring customers that compensation is real and tangible. If the scheme was extended to include businesses, we would see the same benefits, along with a significant productivity boost to London and the UK economy through reduced outages.” Read the full story on the Fibre Provider site here: https://lnkd.in/eWiWfGay #isp #altnet #fullfibre #fibreprovider #fttp #fibrebroadband #fibre #internet #telecomsector #channelpartner #networks #gigabit

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For anyone interested in investing into EIS / SEIS opportunities, you might be interested in our guide

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The IMF has increased its growth forecast for the UK from 0.7% to 1.1%. Interesting isn’t it, especially before the Budget. Of course, it won’t be next week’s Budget that gets the country back on its feet, or the Government. It’ll be Business that does it, driven by business people like you and me. We have 3 generations of business people: ones, like me, who are of retirement age but who enjoy it so much we want to die with our boots on; forty-somethings who have a few scars but who are into their stride now, and bright young things who want the responsibility (privilege) of leadership. In all generations there are good and bad managers. The bad ones are those who moan about the resources, challenges, targets, budgets and people they have to manage. Their decisions are often driven by ego; they believe they know best. They employ people who don’t threaten them, yet when things go wrong it’s always someone else’s fault. They enjoy the trappings but essentially they’re afraid. The good ones just get one with it: they make the best of the cards they have been dealt. Nothing is impossible to them and their enthusiasm and drive is infectious; they bring on the best of the next generation. They don’t want to hit targets but to exceed them. They don’t have any resistance to change but positively encourage it. They are pirates and have fun with their lives. They understand Risk but don’t know the meaning of fear. Above all, they surround themselves with people who are better than them and do everything they can for them to grow. We’ll leave the politicians to peacock and posture. The Government isn’t in charge of the economy; business is. Businesses grow the economy not because of what Governments do, more often it is in spite of what they do. Politicians don’t have much experience of market research, product development, systems and processes, manufacturing, leading workforces, managing supply chains, working under regulation, customer service or Profit & Loss. They have little or no experience of business, so it’s up to the good managers to get Britain on her feet: older ones like me who have failed so many times in order to succeed; the forty-somethings who have tasted success and want more of it for themselves and their teams, and those bright young things who have been quietly impressed by their parents, a lecturer, a mentor or just the ability in this country to build anything you want for yourself. Nothing a politician can do will stop us good managers from getting out of bed in the morning. We get out of bed to make a difference to our lives, those of our families, those of the people we have the pleasure of working with and, hopefully, of our customers. If we give up, what else would we do? If you think our politicians are bad, take a look at those in the US, or France, Germany, Canada, South Africa, in fact everywhere! They’re not the answer; we are! So, are you afraid or are you up for it? Let’s just crack on then, shall we!

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Whoever wins the General Election, capital markets and investment are going to be key to delivering their priorities given little capacity in the public purse. Investment companies are the proven bridge between investors and assets such as infrastructure and renewable energy and they can play a critical role in helping the next government achieve its ambitions for economic growth. Beyond that, as a nation, we need to save and invest more, drive better returns in our pension funds and direct more of that capital towards our domestic markets (the UK ISA was one such initiative). Investment companies are a ready made, proven (over 150 years!) solution to these challenges.

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**The hysteria around finance team evolution is ridiculous. 🤯** I just read an article claiming that "Finance teams have five years to adapt to changing demands" (Read it here: [South Wales Argus](https://lnkd.in/eebPEjHb)). Seriously? The *hysteria* about finance transformation is mind-blowing. And yet, there’s no question—adaptation is non-negotiable. But let's cut the fluff. Here’s the undeniable truth: Finance teams *must* innovate, or they'll disintegrate under the variety of tools making their roles obsolete. Consider Finotor: Incorporating it into your finance operations isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s *essential*. This software means FINANCE can shift from being the ‘boring guys’ crunching numbers in the corner, to powerhouse decision-makers steering the future of the business. Use Cases: 1. **Enhanced Financial Analysis:** Say goodbye to manual data entry and hello to data-driven insights available at the click of a button. Imagine making strategic decisions backed up by real-time numbers rather than last quarter’s results. 2. **Streamlined Accounting Processes:** Finotor can automate mundane accounting tasks, freeing up your team to focus on activities that actually add value. Imagine reducing your team’s workload by 40%, giving them time to develop innovative financial strategies. Finance teams, you have **five years** to embed agility deeply into your DNA. The countdown is ticking. Don’t get left behind. 🔗 Interested in taking your finance department to the next level? Let's connect. Franck BRUNET ---------------------- Liked this post? Want to see more? Ring it on my profile 🔔 Connect with me 🔝 Follow me: #franckbrunet #finotor

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Adrian Boulding gives his three tips for what to expect in tomorrow's #AutumnBudget in his latest article for Dunstan Thomas - read here: #Pensions #Budget2024 https://lnkd.in/e2jzwMtM

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An SBA equivalent is well overdue in the UK. Members Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs) are running at an all time high as ‘Baby Boomers’ close their established businesses due to a lack of exit planning or a change in personal circumstances (such as health deterioration). Legacies and jobs are being lost, and it is a silent crisis that needs government action NOW. Labour – you have a chance to change the narrative about your party in terms of business ownership. Don’t delay. #businesslegacy #businessacquisition #mergersandacquisitions #LabourParty

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🗣 Is the global economy rebounding, pushing the probabilities of a recession even lower? Matt Dalton, Forvis Mazars in the UK's Consumer Sector Lead, makes his monthly review of the ONS Retail sales data. Read Matt's full monthly commentary ➡ https://lnkd.in/ehr4xWhz #ConsumerInsights #ONSRetailSalesFigures

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Salary Guides as a Strategic Tool As the UK Treasury market gains momentum following elections, hiring managers must harness this renewed energy to drive recruitment strategies and make informed decisions about future workforce planning. Political clarity and market stability often signal opportunities for growth, and companies that capitalise on this period of recovery will be better positioned to attract top talent. A key tool that can support hiring managers during this time is the use of #salary guides. They offer critical insights into market trends, salary expectations, and compensation benchmarks. How Can Salary Guides Help You? 1. Informed Budgeting: Salary guides provide current data on salary trends by sector, location, and role, helping you develop accurate #recruitment budgets. This ensures your compensation packages are competitive and realistic, reducing the risk of losing top candidates. 2. Negotiation Support: Having up-to-date salary benchmarks strengthens your negotiation position, allowing you to confidently offer compensation that aligns with market standards. 3. Sector-specific insights: Salary guides highlight trends across different sectors, helping you target talent in high-demand areas and focus your recruitment strategy on the most valuable skills. 4. Overall Compensation Beyond Salary: In addition to base salary, these guides provide insight into total #compensation packages, including benefits, bonuses, and perks—enabling you to craft attractive offers that meet candidate expectations. 5. Recruitment Strategy Support: With data from salary guides, you can tailor your recruitment strategy to meet current and future workforce demands, ensuring your organisation remains competitive in attracting the best talent. As the market picks up and you start planning for future growth, download our #Treasury Salary Guide to help you stay competitive and attract the top talent your business needs. https://lnkd.in/e9xRhYHY

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The UK Finance Payment Markets Summary is always a good read in the summer. Two items stand out in this year's summary of UK payments in 2023: 1. Bacs Direct Credit volumes had been in gentle decline since 2015 but last year jumped 10%, having increased 3% in 2022 - the jump is highlighted in the report, but no explanation given. Is it due to increased govt benefits payments, increased use of automated payroll and invoicing software or something else? 2. Faster Payment volumes reached 4.9 billion payments in 2023 - the same summary report in 2021 predicted it would take until 2030 to reach this level. Similarly, contactless debit card volume was 15.7 billion in 2023, whereas the 2020 summary report predicted this level would be reached (almost) in 2029. I sense that the forecasts in these reports of the high growth payment methods are consistently under-estimated. Is this indicative of how the UK banking industry is consistently on the back foot when it comes to payments and payment innovation, by failing to plan sufficiently for high growth in contactless and Faster Payment volumes? Still, it is great that UK Finance makes these summary figures and their 10-year forecasts available publicly and in a consistent format going back to the Payments UK association and earlier. https://lnkd.in/gi4EiHkv #payments #paymentforecasts #contactless #UKFinance

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Payment Systems Regulator Expanding VRP in the UK 🇬🇧 Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) sets next steps on expanding Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) in the UK 🇬🇧 based on Published response to call for views last December. The call for views set out initial proposals on how the PSR could support the Phase 1 expansion of VRPs to regulated financial services, regulated utilities sectors, and local & central government. Expanding VRPs enabled through #openbanking, VRP allow customers to safely setup recurring payments of varying amounts, i.e., household bills with greater visibility and control compared to existing payment methods. PSR’s publication summarises stakeholder feedback on key areas around VRP expansion including: ⭕️ Coordinating expansion through a multilateral agreement. ⭕️ Mandated Participation. ⭕️ Pricing principles and possible pricing intervention. * Published Response in the comments below 👇🏻 #fintech #vrp #payments Source: PSR.

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UK Economic Assessment: May 2024 1. Probabilities of Recession The UK economy is currently navigating a delicate path. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reports that the UK experienced a (mild) technical recession in the latter half of 2023, marked by two consecutive quarters of negative growth. The BCC anticipates modest growth for 2024 and 2025, at 0.5% and 0.7% respectively, with a slight improvement to 1.0% by 2026​ (British Chambers of Commerce)​​ (Welcome to ICAEW.com)​. Despite these positive projections, the overall growth outlook remains subdued, with persistent global economic headwinds and internal economic challenges. 2. International Trade UK trade dynamics are challenging. The country's trade performance has been hampered by global uncertainties and internal economic adjustments post-Brexit. According to the latest forecasts, UK exports are expected to decline by 1.3% in 2024 before rebounding slightly in subsequent years. Imports are projected to remain weak due to the relatively tepid domestic economic environment​ (British Chambers of Commerce)​. Furthermore, ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, continue to impact trade flows. 3. Trade with the EU The introduction of new trade barriers post-Brexit has complicated trade relationships, leading to reduced export performance. The EY Regional Economic Forecast highlights that these barriers, alongside subdued global demand, are expected to constrain trade growth. The ongoing negotiations and adaptations in trade policies will be crucial in shaping future trade dynamics between the UK and the EU​ (EY US)​. 4. UK Unemployment Trends The UK's labor market shows a mixed picture. While employment is set to grow by an average of 1.1% annually from 2024 to 2027, regional disparities persist. London and the South East are forecast to lead in employment growth, whereas other regions, particularly in the North and Wales, are expected to lag behind. Despite these challenges, average earnings are projected to rise, outpacing inflation over the next few years​ (British Chambers of Commerce)​. 5. GDP Trends UK GDP will slowly grow; a meager growth of 0.1% in 2023, GDP is forecasted to grow 0.5% in 2024 and 0.7% in 2025, with improvement to 1.0% by 2026. This sluggish growth is driven by weak consumer spending, inflation, and cautious business investments​ (British Chambers of Commerce)​​ (Welcome to ICAEW.com)​. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) notes that while inflation is expected to ease, core inflation remains stubbornly high, dampening economic recovery efforts​​. Conclusion The UK economy is facing a cautious recovery phase with modest growth prospects. The risk of recession remains. Trade challenges, particularly with the EU, continue to impact economic performance. Strategic policy measures and sustained international cooperation will be pivotal in steering the UK towards a more robust economic future.

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Just released UK GDP data for April revealed stable output, defying expectations of a decline. Despite notable drops in industrial production and construction, services output surprisingly increased by 0.2%. This hints at a potentially slower Q2 growth compared to Q1, yet it might surpass the Bank of England's forecasted 0.2% quarterly rise. In the US, attention is focused on the upcoming May CPI report and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy update. Forecasts suggest a deceleration of the headline CPI inflation rate to 0.2% from April's 0.3%, mainly due to lower gasoline prices. The year-on-year rate is anticipated to hold steady at 3.4%, with the 'core' rate likely to remain at 0.3% monthly and slightly dip to 3.5% annually. However, concerns persist regarding high inflation and potential interest rate adjustments. Given recent data, an immediate interest rate cut seems unlikely, with the Fed Funds Target Range expected to remain at 5.25%-5.50%. The Federal Reserve is likely to underline their confidence in inflation returning to target, despite unexpected persistence this year. While 2024 may see interest rate cuts, the statement may be vague on timing. Insights into the Fed's intentions may arise from policymakers' latest forecast updates in the 'dot plot'. The previous majority outlook of three rate cuts for the year may shift to at most two, possibly only one.

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Over the past few weeks we have funded the launch of six new tech startups in the West Midlands. It feels like we’re the only ones fighting that fight. The UK mission has swung toward Scale-Ups. This is laudable as a national strategy, but regionally we have a dearth of scaling tech companies. By following a geographically irrelevant strategy the West Midlands has potentially entangled capital in under performing programmes undermining our innovation pipeline. In 2025 Greater Things will continue to follow our own mission to double the number of tech launches in The West Midlands and to ensure that the founders that we work with represent our wonderfully diverse community. Hopefully we can work fast enough to create a pipeline to feed later stage investors. Our current programme is badged as SuperTech WM Seeds and is housed in the wonderful STEAMhouse. Financial support for the programme comes from some scraps of money that someone found down the back of a sofa at the West Midlands Combined Authority and some rather kind private investors. Idea stage tech founders can apply here: https://lnkd.in/eaY68X9Z #tech #westmidlands #startup #mvp

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Digital transformation is at the forefront of many UK business priorities and the success of digitisation of activities relies heavily on the technology that supports it. A reliable and secure network connection is at the hub of any firm's success, especially SMBs who operate within margins where even the shortest of downtime is financially painful. To this end, the government has invested £40 million to achieve its planned extension of 5G coverage to all populated areas of the nation by 2030. But how can you company prepare for 5G to ensure you are in a position to make the most of it when it goes live? Find out here: https://heyor.ca/4eoUpa #TeleTech #5G #DigitalTransformation #Telecoms

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😁 I'M IN A GREAT MOOD 😀 👇 Loads of positive headlines in the press to share with you this week 👇 Labour pledges to embrace Fintech in bid to deliver £328bn in tax revenue Sterling rises and investors welcome "stability" of Labour win Markets surge as Reeves promises to spur growth Companies confident of boost to revenues Confidence high as prices rise ease Fed chief hails "modest" steps on inflation France's brightest tech talent could make le short hop over the Channel Labour landslide " positive" for City, predicts fund boss Pound hits one-year high as UK economy returns to growth The BDO Optimism Index remains above the 100 mark for the second consecutive month Fall in US inflation raises hopes of interest rates cut Business confidence raises to highest in 2 years UK Bank Staff numbers see biggest jump in a decade as sector outperforms Europe GDP rises by 0.4% in surprise growth boost UK Leapfrogs India to become the World's third largest Venture Capital market as analysts forecast a return to growth UK Sweeps up a third of European tech funding in 2024 as London and Cambridge Boom Deals that caught my eye this week: Alphasense acquire Tegus Canoe Intelligence in $36m funding round led by Goldman Sachs Nala raises $40m to go Global GROWTH, GROWTH, GROWTH I don't think I've seen a week with more positivity in the papers and long may it continue. There's plenty of opportunity out there. Let's go and grab it! Allez, Allez!!

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