IoD Better Director Series - The financial landscape post-election for SMEs
Hot on the heels of the new government’s first budget, and in support of the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Week, this event will share insights and perspectives on the financial landscape for SMEs.
Join us as the IoD’s Chief Economist Anna Leach and the Bank of England’s deputy agent for Greater London Lai Wah Co evaluate the recent budget and the status of the economy.
They will share perspectives on the macroeconomy, as well as the Bank view, always with the impact on UK business leaders in mind. Our panel will include a range of experts from both the financial and business sectors. They’ll be giving us the scoop on real world solutions to funding challenges throughout every stage of the process: from startup to exit.What are the challenges most frequently faced by SME owners and directors? What is cited as the key reason for business failure? Unsurprisingly perhaps, the answers to both these questions typically relate to finance. This Better Director series event will aim to cover topics including:
- access to funding
- attracting top talent
- managing cashflow, low profitability and ever-increasing costs
- supply chain squeeze
- absence of strategic thinking
- lack of marketing and brand awareness
- increased competition
From the backdrop of the UK's new economic setting, we will practically explore the vast and varied world of funding to explore what support is out there to give UK business a boost for much-needed growth.
You will have the chance to ask your own questions, connect with fellow directors and meet representatives from the IoD team, as well as indulging in some refreshments laid on by our hosts at Royal Holloway University of London. Following the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity to join one of two speed networking sessions giving you the chance to discuss the related content and make meaningful connections, plus the opportunity to pose specific questions or issues you may have on a 1:1 or small group basis in our break-out sessions. Watch this space for speaker announcements in the coming weeks and register now for your opportunity to join the discussion.
Please kindly note that the event will be making a donation to the IoD Surrey Branch Charity, the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Service.
Speakers
Anna Leach, Chief Economist, IoD
Anna is a macroeconomics and policy professional, and was most recently Deputy Chief Economist at the CBI. She brings a wealth of experience in macroeconomic and business survey analysis, as well as policy analysis and strategic planning. Anna previously worked in the Government Economic Service in various roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury.
Lai Wah Co
Lai is an economist with 23 years’ experience. She’s works in the Greater London team within the Bank of England’s Agency Network. Lai and her agency network colleagues collect economic intelligence from businesses and organisations to brief policymakers at the Bank of England. She previously worked in the team at the Bank of England that produces the short-term UK GDP forecast. Prior to joining the Bank in 2011, Lai worked at the CBI, where she headed up a team of economists covering the UK and International macro-economy.
Sponsors
Royal Holloway, University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London, is in the top 30 of all UK universities. We were founded over 170 years ago to provide equity in opportunity, to transform lives through education and create positive change – doing this with bravery, curiosity and care. We have the courage and conviction to think differently, providing a platform to challenge conventions.
With combined and integrated strengths in innovative education and transformative research, we have a passion to create, teach and share knowledge in both established and emerging areas. Through our impactful research, we seek creative solutions to complex challenges to make a real difference in the world. We are a place for growth. We aim to empower individuals and transform lives through inclusive education, an active, and close-knit community, and partnerships that link us with local and global industry and culture.
We are a University of Social Purpose, creating positive change, for what matters – for our students, for society and for the world.
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