Shalini Khemka CBE

A step in the right direction, but c'mon...how difficult do they need to make this? The lemmings of the #UK institutional investment sector want a more globally competitive domestic market but insist on tying the hands of the boards, preventing them from competing globally. It's not that hard - The Investment Association should simply instruct these boards to find the best and most experienced talent available and provide competitive, well-aligned pay packages across both executive directors and non-executive directors. If you don't compete, you can't win. #investing #stocks #corporategovernance #shareholderactivism

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The vital role that the VCT industry plays in supporting UK economic growth and job creation is highlighted in this article from the The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) #vct #vcta #venturecapital #economicgrowth

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Budget Flash – Is the EIS & VCT Industry Too Complacent Regarding The Chancellor? A few weeks before the UK election in 2019, I was speaking at an Intelligent Partnership EIS Forum involving eight EIS fund managers, presenting to a group of about forty wealth manager and IFA groups. During the Q&A session, one participant asked the panel of fund managers whether they believed that the election of Jeremy Corbyn would lead to the end of EIS and VCT tax reliefs. With only one exception, they were unanimous in pouring cold water on this suggestion. Too many jobs would be lost; the UK needed investment in early-stage life sciences, fintech, blockchain technology, AI, and robotics; the creative fulcrum of entrepreneurial Britian would be sacrificed etc. All logical and well-reasoned arguments. Symvan was the exception that day and argued that these schemes would be amongst the first to go for the very simple reason that the Corbyn/McDonnell axis viewed the world through an essentially post-Marxist prism and simply saw such schemes as ‘tax breaks for rich guys.’ The private sector has little or no role in generating economic growth when you remove yourself sufficiently from reality. That intellectual depravity does not exist with the current government, but expediency potentially calls the wolf to the door nonetheless. And so Martin Vander Meyer offers a warning in a worryingly prescient article in this week’s Spectator in which he argues that, although the Chancellor has emphatically denied that she wishes to punish early-stage companies in the UK, she may have to “scrape the bottom of the bin” and punish the sector as the Treasury and the OBR have removed Labour’s delusions about what the costs of its mooted tax rises will mean for the UK economy. If the furious lobbying ahead of Wednesday’s budget has taught us anything, it is that the power of the unions is forcing the Chancellor to make sub-optimal decisions and the UK as a whole will bear the cost. Will entrepreneurial Britain pay the price? #EIS #VCT #The Spectator #Martin Vander Weyer #UK Budget

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IGL (Inverse Group LTD) is actively searching for businesses to match with our vetted UK-based investors and acquirers. We currently have active mandates across various investment and acquisition opportunities: 💚 £250,000 investment: Ideal for revenue-generating companies with 1 to 2 years of accounts, profitable or small losses, and a need for marketing and growth support. This is sector-agnostic. 3-5 year return on investment. Max valuation £1m, with no future funding required. 💚 £500,000 investment: Targeting revenue-generating businesses that are either in a turnaround phase or showing small profits. This is perfect for older business owners preparing for exit or good businesses that failed to raise funding. Sector agnostic. 18-month return on investment. 💚 £2,000,000 investment: Seeking companies with over £2M in revenue and profitable EBITDA, particularly those serving the real-world economy with a focus on fast, repeatable retail. 5 year + return on investment. On the acquisition front, we’re interested in businesses with a revenue range between £1M - £5M, located in the UK or EU, with a preference for London or those adaptable to remote management. We are particularly interested in sectors such as Health & Beauty, Entertainment, Consumer Goods (Apparel, Drinks, Pet Food), E-commerce, and Clean Tech. If you own or know of a business that fits these profiles and is considering investment or acquisition, please reach out to us. #Fundraising #Founder #Investment #AngelInvestor #VentureCapital

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The Takeover Panel must go! The Takeover Code once served a purpose but now stands in the way, giving too much agency to board directors whose interests are not aligned with those of shareholders. This is one of the reasons #UK #equity #markets trade at a perennial discount to the U.S. Relax the Code, and let bids go to shareholders for votes- and you will see that more often than not, the owners want exits. This will allow for the much-needed recalibration in British equities. #investing #shareholderactivism #lse

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🚀 Unlock New Growth Opportunities for Your Business 🚀 As the CEO of Venture & Advisor, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible companies across Europe, helping them navigate complex challenges and unlock sustainable growth. Our team specialises in providing tailored consulting services designed to address the unique needs of manufacturing companies. Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets, optimise your operations, or strengthen investor relations, we’re here to support your journey. 🔍 Here’s how we can help: 1. Strategic Growth Planning: We work closely with your leadership team to develop and implement strategies that align with your long-term goals.    2. Market Expansion: We identify and seize the most promising opportunities in new markets, minimising risks while maximising potential. 3. Operational Excellence: We streamline operations to enhance efficiency and productivity, allowing you to focus on innovation. 4. Investor Relations: We manage investor communications, ensuring transparency and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. 💡 Recent Success Stories: We’ve recently partnered with two prominent steel manufacturers in Eastern Europe, helping them expand their operations and strengthen their market positions. The results have been nothing short of transformative. If you’re focused on driving growth and innovation within your organization, I’d love to connect and discuss how we can help your company achieve similar success. 💬 Let’s chat! Feel free to reach out to me directly or visit our website to learn more: www.venture-advisor.com Looking forward to the possibility of working together. Best regards,   Marcel Kellermann  CEO, Venture & Advisor  #BusinessGrowth #MarketExpansion #Manufacturing #Consulting #Leadership #Innovation #OperationalExcellence #InvestorRelations #StrategicPlanning #BusinessDevelopment #GrowthStrategy #MarketEntry #CorporateStrategy #BusinessConsulting #ManufacturingIndustry #Industry4_0 #SteelIndustry #EasternEurope #Entrepreneurship #CEO #BusinessLeaders #ClientSuccess #GlobalExpansion #Productivity #Efficiency #B2B #B2BMarketing #CompanyGrowth #SuccessStories #BusinessAdvice

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Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech presented an optimistic and comprehensive vision for the UK's economic future. Emphasising the importance of financial services as a cornerstone for growth. I’m hopeful that this speech can lead to the outcomes Digital Pound Foundation, Whitechapel Think Tank and Orora have lobbied for over the last decade. For the full speech see : https://lnkd.in/eG9qS6Ud Her speech highlighted two main strategies: stabilising public finances and increasing public investment. She emphasised that these measures are essential for fostering a conducive environment for business and investment. 🤔 On Economic Stability - Reeves stressed the need for sound public finances, which she believes are critical for long-term economic stability. On Public Investment she again pushed the need for an increase in public investment, which is expected to generate jobs and stimulate growth in infrastructure. Private Investment and Financial Services was another theme - Reeves positioned the financial services sector as the "crown jewel" of the UK economy, highlighting its role in driving innovation and growth. She discussed reforms to attract private investment and enhance the UK’s global financial status. 🙌🙏 As much publicised beforehand Pensions Reform took up a significant portion of her speech. She outlined plans to create larger pension funds, akin to those in Australia and Canada, to facilitate greater investments in the UK economy. Another theme was Regulatory Reforms: Reeve’s called for a rebalancing of regulations, arguing that the focus has been overly cautious, which hampers growth. She announces a shift in the regulatory framework to prioritise growth while maintaining necessary consumer protections. So a tough balancing act will be required of the #FCA and #PRA. Alongside the New National Payments Plan there will be busy times ahead for regulators and the legal community in the City. https://lnkd.in/eKTQaCdD International Trade and Relations was another theme: her speech acknowledged the need for the UK to navigate geopolitical challenges and emphasises the importance of maintaining strong international trade relationships post-Brexit. I would add to this capitalising on the Digital Trade Act and what this can deliver for UK 🇬🇧 plc. Reeves' speech also suggested a more open and embracing agenda to #Crypto and #DLT with the suggestion of a pilot on tokenised Gilts Insturments referred to as “DIGIT”. I would hope we can avoid a pilot loop and focus on building a market as we know the tech is there and ready to serve. Overall, the speech paints a picture of a government that is not only focused on immediate economic challenges but is also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and competitive economy. #fintech #innovation #thoughtleadership #payments #pensions

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I’m so pleased to see that Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds MP, and the Department for Business and Trade are backing the creation of a new ‘Mid-Market Council’ to represent the interests of UK mid-sized companies - https://lnkd.in/eGMxzE_i This is very much reiterating the recommendation that OakNorth and the Social Market Foundation made just over a year ago about how to unleash the huge potential of our scale-ups. In our Full Scale report we called for the creation of a DBT-led "Scale-Ups Unit" that could facilitate support for scale-ups, with a realistic goal to create £50bn in public market cap value within 5 years. Full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/ex6R5zrv   The report identified that this kind of coordinated support needed to address a range of barriers including regulatory and planning challenges, tax incentives and access to international talent. Today we see all these same challenges and opportunities being referred to again, and I hope the government is committed to addressing them with the sector. As the bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, OakNorth will lend this initiative its full support.

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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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There's interesting analysis in the Telegraph of a £4.7bn takeover offer from Abu Dhabi-led consortium for Hargreaves Lansdown. HL was a big success story for decades. But competition from cheaper rivals and reputational damage resulting from the Woodford scandal have weighed heavily. For me, the company faces two big problems. First, the fees its charges are unsustainably high (its 0.45% platform fee especially). But secondly, and more importantly, its USP — the notion that it can identify, in advance, the star fund managers of the future — has been shown to be an illusion. HL has the potential to be a force for good in UK financial services.. But it has to go back to the drawing board first. #Investing #FinancialAdvice #AssetManagement https://lnkd.in/eiD2cn9X

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We welcomed David Murray to talk to our founders community about the changes to UK Grants, headlines as follows - 1. Innovate UK funding is ring fenced until April 2025 2. National Wealth fund - to attract investment 3. Other funds may differ but Govt spending will likely change 4. Typically grants increase in funding 5. Many grants postponed until after July 2024 - aside from SBRI 6. IUK has a new CEO – could be a shift to more regionally focused grants 7. Farming/Cleantech/Greentech/Space/international collaboration/Medtech the hot topics The Startup 2 Standup Compass

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Our latest three minute podcast!

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If you are a UK independent digital agency or consultancy founder or owner looking to maximize the value of your business in 2024 and beyond, join me at our latest TH event in London! 📢   In partnership with Actus Consulting, we're excited to bring together a combination of acquirers, sellers and industry experts to discuss how to reconcile a purpose-driven business with maximising its for an exit. Key takeaways will include: 1. Gain practical insights from industry experts on balancing growth, purpose, and exit value to maximize your agency's potential. 2. Get an insider's perspective on what buyers are currently seeking in the market and why the combination of growth and purpose is a winning formula. 3. Actionable tips and techniques for developing effective strategies, systems, and processes that foster purposeful growth within your agency. 4. Connect with a group of fantastic independent agency owners and expand your network.   I’m excited to bring this event together with Dan Egerton and the Actus Consulting team, sharing our knowledge and sparking conversations! To book your place please message me directly for the event sign up link (we have limited places available).   #growthstrategy #digitalagency #event #technologyholdings

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Launch of The Investor & Issuer Forum video now live. Get in touch if you want to understand more - would love to hear from you! #investorandissuer #UKcapitalmarkets #enhancingmarkets

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