A proactive approach required following the start of the new school year
Sponsored feature | Nick Mettyear, investment manager, Foresight Group
That back to school feeling is even more pronounced this year. Holiday has built up and is at risk of being lost and many people have deservedly taken a break, even if they couldn’t get away or were forced home early.
Children returning to school is happening alongside a reopening of offices, particularly in city centres. This will bring a welcome sense of a return to normality to many and it is tempting to see it as the Covid-19 finish line. However, we recognise that founders and managers will meet the new term with varying degrees of optimism and trepidation. Furlough is ending, government support is being rolled back and, as expected, companies will be emerging into an unprecedented and unpredictable trading environment.
We have seen significant activity throughout the summer with a number of companies seeking to reorganise or strengthen their balance sheets to ensure they are well positioned to take advantage of the next 12 months. Managers with this proactive approach are taking the opportunities presented by Covid-19, as existing technology and consumer trends accelerate. They are recognising that the next 12 months will be volatile but with the right investors and capital behind them, there is significant opportunity.
The Foresight East of England Fund is uniquely positioned to support companies with flexible capital to support growth plans. In addition to traditional equity release and management buy-outs, there is capital to assist with reducing debt and funding growth.
There is little doubt that this will be an unpredictable school year, at the end of which there will be winners and losers in most market sectors in the region. We believe by taking a proactive approach supported by investment where required, companies will further their chances of finishing the year with the results they are looking for.
Foresight, which has an office in Cambridge, is a leading independent infrastructure and private equity investment manager with approximately £6.5 billion of assets under management. The private equity investment team are amongst the most active investors in SMEs in the UK. The team invests across the life-cycle, from early stage through to established business. The £100m Foresight East of England Fund targets equity investments of between £1 million and £5 million in SMEs in the region and beyond.
For more information, visit foresightgroup.eu .
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