News
January 2013 Looking to spin out technology?
Gary Hellen is now part of Puntios the spin out partner. The Puntios team of experienced industrial entrepreneurs seeks out technologies within the UK’s industrial base, and works with industrial partners to commercialise technology through creating dynamic new companies. Puntios brings finance and experienced management to industrial spin-outs.
3 Feb 2010 Improving client confidence
Had a discussion today with some business acquaintances about consulting and in particular the reputation of consultants, very much echoing my recent client discussion. After some discussion we think we have a way to improve client confidence and the quality of consultancy. More on this once our ideas have been developed further.
1 Feb 2010 Are all consultants created equal?
I was talking to a potential client last week about doing a grant application. His opinion of grants consultants was not high having paid 2 previous consultants several thousands of pounds to assist, and had both walk away without doing work. I think this is a common issue, the barrier to setting up as a consultant is very low, and not everyone has the right experience or knowledge to deliver. This mirrors my experiences of some grants consultants whilst running grants for the government.
So if you are looking for reliable and knowledgable help how do you check? All I can recommend, whether using my services or anyone elses, is to research who you are dealing with, are they a faceless consultant with a hard sales pitch or do they demonstrate the in depth knowledge and have a verifiable background. As for me, we I recommend all clients do a Google search and they should find references to my governemntal career, from presentations I have given through to my involvement in the 2009 GRD economic impact evaluation.
9 June 2009 BERR is now BIS
Following the Cabinet reshuffle BERR and DIUS have been joined to form the new Department for Business Innovation and Skills. What goes around comes around! How long before it is renamed Trade and Industry?
3 April 2009
Is Enterprise Finance Guarantee working? The former re-badged Small Firms Loan Guarantee is designed to make getting loans from banks easier by the government guaranteeing part of their risk. However feedback from clients suggests banks are asking for personal guarantees beyond the non-government guaranteed element making it unattractive for the businesses it is designed to help.
In this case government grants are increasingly attractive, contact us to see if the government can fund you without having to personally guarantee a loan.
14 January 2009
Lord Mandelson announces a package of support measures for business including:
- -The £ 10bn Working Capital Scheme for businesses to access short term bank lending
- -The £ 1.3bn Enterprise Capital Scheme for addiitonal loans for small firms
- -A £ 75m Capital for Enterprise Fund to invest in small firms which need equity.