With the trials of lockdown, travel restrictions and social distancing, the impact of COVID-19 on everyday life has been a bitter pill to swallow for us all. And for the nation’s businesses, the economic fallout of the pandemic has created unprecedented challenges that none of us has experienced in our lifetime.
Recognising Reading's success
Reflecting our ongoing commitment to supporting business in Reading and the Thames Valley – whatever the economic environment - we were delighted to sponsor two categories in this year’s Business Magazine Thames Valley Awards.
NVM Private Equity was awarded Private Equity Firm of the Year in recognition of its work on four MBOs valued at more than £50 million, and the Amberjack Global MBO supported by LDC, which was awarded Mid-range Deal of the Year in the £10-50 million bracket. I was pleased to be able to present the awards to David Rolfe and the team at NVM at their premises, as pictured here.
A barometer of economic success – even when times are tough
The awards pay testament to the resilience of the high-calibre organisations that make up the Thames Valley’s dynamic business landscape. These companies are no stranger to adversity – but recent history provides a precedent for the area’s ability to recover in times of crisis. In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/9, the Thames Valley staged a rapid rebound, with its diverse mix of businesses, robust business infrastructure and solid socioeconomic indicators enabling it to continue attracting global corporates and investment from both national and international sources.
In fact, the area has represented one of the most powerful engines of UK economic growth and development over the past decade, with Reading leading the charge as the Thames Valley’s fastest-growing economy over the past 20 years. Despite the inescapable impact of the pandemic, the economic pillars that underpin this stellar success remain resilient and enduring.
Moving beyond survival mode
When it comes to COVID-19, we aren’t out of the woods yet – and business owners must steel themselves for some tough times ahead. But these challenging times also create some genuine opportunities for businesses with the vision to reach out and grab them with both hands. Above all, the current environment is a unique chance for business to rethink the way that they operate - both now and in the post-COVID world.
As we move forward into an uncertain business landscape, the strategic challenges triggered by the outbreak will test the mettle of companies across the region. The businesses that will prove the best positioned not just to survive, but to thrive, going forward will be those that act now to harness digital technologies to drive more agile working practices, adapt their core proposition to customers’ changing needs, and diversify their income streams to promote even greater resilience against future crises.
Merging with K3 Capital Group: a diverse and complementary group
Here at Quantuma, we’re well placed to help businesses across the region. Recently, we reinforced that commitment and capability as we completed a merger with AIM-listed K3 Capital Group in a £26.95 million deal that creates an independent global advisory practice.
As part of K3 Capital Group plc, we continue to offer a diverse mix of professional advisory services across restructuring, corporate finance, tax advisory, forensic accounting and expert witness services. Bring together our collective corporate finance resource this empowers us to take on more significant mandates and provide greater access to businesses of all sizes, both at home and overseas.
