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Articles by Olivia Weatherill
How gyms are growing at pace
There’s the adage that a healthy body brings a healthy mind, but increasingly, we’re seeing this also means a healthy bottom line for fitness businesses. We’re currently witnessing one of the biggest booms in the health space, as the UK fitness industry’s market value has reached an all-time high in 2023. But what can be attributed to this success, and why now?
The rise of the warehouse
With changing online shopping habits post-pandemic and a major shake-up in UK distribution lines post-Brexit, it’s no wonder that warehousing and storage companies are on the rise. Many businesses are looking for answers to their growing fulfilment needs, and both national and regional centres are stepping up to meet this demand. Here’s our round-up of the steps that the businesses that we’ve recently funded and those in the wider industry have taken.
Flexibility, speed & transparency
Gavin Fell, our VP of Partnerships makes the case why brokers should consider flexibility, speed, transparency, and sector expertise when finding the right loan for their clients. As a trusted broker, you’re in the business of people. Your main goal is to secure the most favourable financial solutions for your clients because when they succeed, you succeed.
What we've learnt from Melrose Education
What does it take for a business to make a lasting impact in an industry? We’ve backed some of the most exciting pioneers in all kinds of markets and have taken inspiration from their innovative solutions to challenges. And one sector where exceptional service makes a massive difference is in specialist schools. With rising numbers of students needing additional support, many state schools can’t cope with the demand, resulting in cramped classrooms and even children leaving school altogether.
How to build resilience in business
In May 2023, we hosted a roundtable event with key business leaders and OakNorth customers to discuss the power of resilience in business. We heard directly from those who have had to adapt and become resilient both in businesses and government, as well as Heartwood Collection Executive Chairman, Mark Derry, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Hammond.
How to better understand clients seeking funding
As businesses look to take on funding for growth, expansion, or operational needs, accountants play a key role in helping to match them with a lending partner. This is why you’ll need to place yourself in their shoes, and consider what questions they may have and how you can best support them. To help you understand what your clients need from a financing partner we’ve put together the below as a useful starting point.
Funding charities in India
Though we’re a UK bank, that doesn’t stop us from making a difference around the world. We have multiple offices in India and share 1% of our group profits with charities around the country. One of our most recent charity sponsorships was to improve sanitation for two Gurgaon schools, and on a recent visit to our Gurugram offices, Director of ESG Strategy Matt Bullivant and Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs Nick Lee were able to see the impact of these efforts first-hand.
How to Leverage Market Trends
Keeping up to date with the latest trends is how many businesses continue to be successful, but the most prosperous ones take advantage of changes in the market. Be it offering new products, or phasing out out-of-style ones, adapting offerings and practices to what customers are looking for is how businesses can keep themselves relevant in an increasingly cut-throat marketplace.
The case for continuing to fund care
With some potentially tougher times facing the care industry, supply has been struggling to keep up with demand. But for those that can weather the storm, there’s a ready and waiting audience to tap into. Our Director of Debt Finance Steve Wilson scoped out the current factors that care providers should be aware of. The social care sector continues to exhibit increasing demand.
Seven reasons your clients might need funding
So, your clients think they’re ready for funding. Getting that cash injection into a business can be the catalyst to spark their next great plans. But timing is critical, and they should be confident that now is the right time to start the conversation with lending partners. But knowing how to start the conversation and the parts of your client’s business you’ll need to explain to investment partners is vital for getting the funding you need.
Stuart Blair's private equity loans round up
Our Debt Finance team work on all kinds of loans, including more and more sponsor-led private equity deals. These joint effort loans have been a growing part of Director of Debt Finance Stuart Blair’s work, who looked back on the range of businesses he’s helped to support. t OakNorth, we’ve seen a huge growth in our private equity-backed loans.
Why I'm cautiously pessimistic following the Spring Budget
The UK government has released its yearly budget. In his speech on March 15, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sounded sensible, but some have drawn attention to a blind spot in his thinking. Bodies such as the Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry, and the Federation of Small Businesses are worried that there isn’t enough to support businesses. These organisations are calling for the chancellor to adjust his plans to better accelerate growth.
A private equity loans round up with Stewart Haworth
Our lending extends to all sorts of companies located across the country, led by members of our team with expert industry knowledge. Having worked on many of our private equity-backed loans, our Director of Debt Finance Stewart Haworth looks back on some of the businesses we’ve helped to support. With 2022 being another strong year for OakNorth and many of our bigger deals having been for businesses located outside of London, there’s plenty of promise on the horizon for 2023.
Why Hungry Entrepreneurs Thrive
At numerous points in my entrepreneurial journey, whether when speaking to other business leaders or considering a business to invest in, I’ve been asked this question – what is the most important attribute a founder needs to have to succeed? In my view, there are a few, but the most important is hunger. Hunger is never more crucial than when you are starting out. Going from having nothing to something is like lifting mountains – it doesn’t happen unless you have that fire in your belly.
Why Making Energy Updates Early Pays Off
As energy standards rise for rental properties, we sat down with our Director of Debt Finance Greg Manson to discuss what lending partners can do to keep up with the pace of investors looking to make these changes early. The real estate sector has fundamentally changed. No longer can we rely on ‘location location location’ as a primary driver of strength and value.
Our 2023 Grad Alumnus Start Their New Roles
The OakNorth Graduate Rotational Programme has helped to discover some of the best young talent in banking today. By giving a flavour of multiple departments of the bank, our grads can see the impact of our work from different perspectives and get introduced to roles they may never have considered. The scheme has attracted bright young students from across the world, and this is particularly true of our most recent cohort to begin their permanent roles in 2023.
How independent pharmacies are gaining momentum
The high street began with many family-run businesses, including pharmacists providing the communities they served with medicines and other services. Being able to access advice and medicines locally was essential at a time when many consumers did most or all their shopping on the high street. But with the rise of a few more prominent names in the pharmacy game, the independent family-owned shops became fewer and farther between.
Slovenia
By Olivia Weatherill • 5th November 2019 Think of Slovenia and images of pristine lakes, alpine villages and the iconic Lake Bled come to mind. A swimming holiday seems a perfect way to enjoy its natural beauty. This central European country is full of exciting swimming opportunities – here’s why you should consider exploring Slovenia from the water. Alpine backdrops There’s something incredibly humbling when your outdoor swimming takes you alongside impressive and imposing peaks.
Sustainable travel
By Olivia Weatherill • 9th October 2019 Discovering the best swimming spots sometimes means heading off around the globe. With the rising concerns over the impact of air travel, here’s a few ways to lessen the damage of your travel in search of the world’s best swims! Carbon offsetting schemes help neutralise the effects of flying by planting and protecting trees or investing in renewable technology projects.
SwimTrek’s 5 Best Winter Sun Swimming Getaways
It’s cold. We get it. Though we love a cold-water dip here at SwimTrek HQ, it doesn’t quite compare to a warm swimming holiday abroad. If you’re longing for a swimming fix that’s the next level up from your local swimming pool, we’ve picked out some of our favourite destinations for enjoying the warmth in the winter months, from South America to the Red Sea, forget the grey skies and go swimming instead! The Maldives is one of our most lusted after swimming destinations and its easy to see why.
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