Monthly Archives: February 2010

Press Release – MW Interim Finance announces the completion of its re-branding exercise and launches a new website

Press Release – MW Interim Finance, (formally I.C.M. Solutions Limited), announces the completion of its re-branding exercise and launches a new website, www.mwinterimfinance.co.uk.

The company will continue to provide a professional independent interim finance director resource for small, medium and larger corporate businesses, working with owner managers and directors to facilitate the achievement of strategic and operational goals.

Some of the services MW Interim Finance provides include;

  • Forensic operational review, forecasting and profit improvement
  • Fixed asset, working capital and cash flow optimisation
  • Strategic business planning and development
  • Project appraisal, analysis and business modelling
  • Restructuring and business turnaround

 

Martin Walby, founding director, commented “despite the continued poor economic situation in the UK and the perceived slow road to recovery, 2010 is a new decade of opportunity, both in the UK and globally. MW Interim Finance will continue to provide an independent finance director resource for companies wishing to take the steps to benefit from current and future business opportunities”.

For further information on how MW Interim Finance can assist your business, either call Martin Walby on + 44 (0) 7876 566875 or email martin.walby@mwinterimfinance.co.uk

The latest set of indifferent UK economic statistics – Unemployment, Inflation and the Bank of England

The headlines are that unemployment has fallen again in February, by a whopping 3,000 and added to the fall of 7,000 in January is being highlighted as a sign that the things are getting better in the UK economy. The base on which the fall has taken place is around 2.5 million so the impact is really negligible. There are more serious issues behind the numbers such as; those receiving job seekers allowance rising by 23,500 to 1.64 million, and the consistently high figures of longer term unemployed. The hidden figures which are not counted are the “underemployed”, where employers have had to scale back hours in an effort to keep all their employees in work. The impact is lower take home incomes adding to the pressures on individual households and consequently lower consumer spending.

On the other hand, the head of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, had to officially write to the Chancellor again as inflation has risen to 3.5%, above the 2% Government target. Many expect this to be a temporary increase driven by factors such as the rise in VAT to 17.5% and higher fuel and transport costs.

Higher inflation and low interest rates – whilst good for those with mortgages and property in general is bad for consumers as the cost of living increases and the value of savings is eroded.

Angel News – “Pitching for Management” Review

MW Interim Finance recently attended an Angel News sponsored event in central London, “Pitching for Management” and Martin Walby was asked for his views “This is the second event of this type I have attended via The Boulevard networking community. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the companies presenting, both in terms of their products and service offering and the honesty with which they outlined their immediate management resource requirements. As an independent interim finance director it was also refreshing to encounter so many early stage businesses with growth potential against the background of a struggling UK economy.”

Dividends

Dividends – how long can high dividend yield companies keep paying shareholders? Interest and savings rates remain low but the number of companies offering reasonable dividend payments is reducing. Retail Sales – December 2009 marked an eight year high in retail sales but has been quickly followed up by the worst January figures in fifteen years.

The inclement weather and VAT rise may have had some impact on the reduction, but it is clear that consumer uncertainty about the state of the economy and the cost of food & ultilities are influencing spending patterns.

Debt UK

The Bank of England has left the base rate at 0.5% for the twelfth month in a row and ceased pumping money into the UK economy, (quantitative easing). It did however indicate that it could recommence this if the economic situation deteriorates. A year on and there are no real signs of the economy recovering, and the stock market FTSE 100 has made a 10% downward correction since the end of 2009.

What next…….an election for sure, but no matter the political party in power, “Debt UK” is a fundamental issue that will not be resolved for a number of years. The pre budget report figures, issued in November 2009 on the expected reductions in debt, have now been revised with the figure of £40bn mooted in 2015/16 appearing far too optimistic a target.