CONTENTS 06 DAMNED IF THEY DO... Are the banks misunderstood or are we just asking the wrong questions?
10 NEWS Continued growth for North East companies with vision and ideas
SPECIAL REPORT:
22 THE SPANISH BULL Santander rides in with a clear plan that says ‘open for business’
ACCESS TO FINANCE
26 READY TO TAKE AIM
WELCOME
28 FLYING WITH ANGELS
Cash is the lifeblood of commerce and when a business is not generating enough to sustain its development plans, or even provide itself with working capital, then it must turn to alternative sources of finance. With economic recovery proving elusive, there has been much debate about access to finance in fuelling economic growth and of the part that banks and other financial institutions have to play. Are banks and other lending bodies sitting on piles of cash – even taxpayerprovided cash – which they should be lending to hard pressed industries? In this issue of BQ2 we look at access to finance and address these and other issues. We interview some of the key players across the funding spectrum in the North East. We also examine and explain the various funding options open to business to provide some guidance as to the best sources of finance for various sizes of company in their different stages of development. We hope, as always, that we have made a positive contribution to the debate and have provided a useful tool for the entrepreneur.
ACCESS TO FINANCE
CONTACTS ROOM501 LTD Christopher March Managing Director e: chris@room501.co.uk George Cheung Director e: george@room501.co.uk Euan Underwood Director e: euan@room501.co.uk Bryan Hoare Director e: bryan@room501.co.uk Mark Anderson Director e: emark@room501.co.uk EDITORIAL
The brave step into public listing. Why is there still hesitancy?
The secrets of the private investor
32 CULTURE CHALLENGE A leading dealmaker assesses the situation in the region
36 UNLOCK THE CASH How asset management could work for your company – and make a difference
40 DIFFERENT TALE
Peter Jackson Editor e: p.jackson77@btinternet.com Andrew Mernin e: andrewmernin@hotmail.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION room501 e: studio@room501.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY KG Photography e: info@kgphotography.co.uk ADVERTISING If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team on 0191 537 5720, or email sales@room501.co.uk
The money’s here – where are you?
room501 Publishing Publishing House, 16 Pickersgill Court, Quay West Business Park, Sunderland SR5 2AQ www.room501.co.uk
CULTURE CHANGE
32 05
room501 was formed from a partnership of directors who, combined, have many years of experience in contract publishing, print, marketing, sales and advertising and distribution. We are a passionate, dedicated company that strives to help you to meet your overall business needs and requirements. All contents copyright © 2011 room501 Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, July 2011.
NORTH EAST EDITION
BQ Magazine Magazine is is published published quarterly quarterly by by room501 room501 Ltd. Ltd. BQ
SPECIAL REPORT | SUMMER 11