WHAT DO YOU DO?

I work with lower mid-market businesses to help their management teams and shareholders access flexible and cost-effective capital to suit their funding objectives. Clients are typically at £1m-£20m EBITDA and often raising debt for the first time, which can be a daunting prospect, but done well can be transformational for growth. I help management teams to navigate the process with confidence and optimise the funding package.

WHY DO YOU DO IT?

Having worked on both sides of the fence throughout my career – as an advisor during my time at EY and then as a lender at the leading UK based credit fund TDC, I have the benefit of multiple perspectives. I find great satisfaction in delivering brilliant outcomes for clients, often having to deal with challenging circumstances. A critical part of the role that I particularly enjoy is translating complicated jargon into clear, simple messages with recommendations that our clients can trust. It does help that like most chartered accountants, I love spreadsheets. 

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN? 

During my time in Debt Advisory, I’ve worked with a broad range of clients, but most commonly with private equity houses when they’re looking to acquire a new platform, or refinance and/or fund acquisitions within their portfolio. Often we’re able to deliver outcomes above and beyond their expectations, either due to the deal having its own unique challenges or from finding innovative solutions to meet their objectives. Our transactions are often fast-changing and time critical which requires adaptability and a commitment to the cause.

WHAT’S ON TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I can’t say I’ve ever given much thought to a bucket list and have been fortunate enough to realise a few childhood dreams already (such as playing on the hallowed turf of the Reebok Stadium – home of my beloved Bolton Wanderers – and watching them win a trophy at Wembley, surrounded by both older and younger generations of my family). 

As an enthusiastic but extremely limited golfer, I like the idea of one day being able to shoot a score lower than my age; though I might need to find a nine-hole, par-3 course to stand a chance.