Corporate Finance Training Event

Programme

As the bank debt market is so quiet, and there is heavy incentive for higher rate taxpayers to use EIS and VCT to protect the 50% tax rate, I am convinced that we will see the role of equity to fund growing businesses is going to be very strong this year. Hence, our training course is focussed on this area, with speakers from the Business Growth Fund and a VCT.

There will also be a good opportunity for us to discuss current experiences of advising on equity funding, and I hope that one or two of us will have some war stories to share.

Later in the day, we have an opportunity to agree our strategy for the Panel for the next year or two, including understanding the threats/opportunities of peer organisations, the use of the Panel's financial resources and maybe even the future of the chairmanship if anyone would like to take a turn! If you miss this session, your voice may not be heard, so I hope that all panel members and other interested parties will join us.

From: 09:15 Registration and Refreshments

09:45 - Welcome and Introductions:

Simon Blake, Corporate Finance Panel Chairman

09:50 Equity Investing

Group Discussion

Private Investor Networks

Business Angels

Venture Capital

Private Equity

11:00 Refreshment Break

11:25 VC / VCT

Presentation by: Robert Whitby Smith of Albion Ventures

After graduating in History at Reading University, Robert qualified as a chartered accountant at KPMG and subsequently worked in corporate finance at Credit Suisse First Boston and ING Barings before joining the team in early 2005. Robert is responsible primarily for investments in the advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

12:10

Presentation by: Alastair Brew from the Business Growth Fund

Alistair has a MA in Modern History from Oxford University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant, he joined BGF in July 2011 as an Investment Director based in London. His main role is to identify and successfully execute investments for the Fund. He will also sit on the board of some of the Funds investee companies. Alistair has 10 years of experience in small company investment, initially at Close Brothers and then at Octopus Ventures, where he was involved in a large number of growth capital and management buyout transactions, across multiple sectors and throughout the UK. In the majority of cases, Alistair also joined the board of the investee companies. Alistair began his career at Price Waterhouse with direct entry into the Business Recovery Services team.

13:00 - Lunch

14:00 Developing CF Panel Marketing

Group Discussion

15:00 Developing CF Panel Strategy

Group Discussion

16:00 Close

Course Qualifies for CPD

Dress Code: Business Suits only