FDs urged to be confident
FINANCE directors must be confident about the growth potential of their business to win the support of lenders.
That’s the message from Michael Hartig, head of corporate banking at Barclays in Manchester.
The achievements of finance directors will be celebrated at the North West Finance Director of the Year Awards later this year. Entries are now being accepted for the awards.
Mr Hartig said FDs should look beyond external economic conditions and focus on beating their competitors and taking market share.
“The banking sector has a crucial role to play, providing a range of funding for investment and expansion,” he said.
“However, it is businesses themselves who must make the right borrowing decisions for their organisations. If uncertainty is the new norm, companies need to have a greater confidence in their own ability to grow proactively.”
He added: “Companies need to look beyond external economic conditions and look to outperform competitors to gain market share and break into new markets. Increased confidence and investment feeds into a positive cycle in which growth is an inevitable output. Banks have a key role to play in supporting this cycle.
“At Barclays we are ready and able to provide the right support to those companies preparing to take this journey.”
The 2012 awards categories are:
• Best FD of a Limited Company (under £50m turnover)
• Best FD of a Limited Company (over £50m turnover)
• Best FD of a Plc
• Young FD of the Year (up to 40 years of age)
• Best FD of a Private Equity-backed Business
• Best FD of a Public Sector Organisation
• Outstanding achievement award
Judging will take place during October and November with the black tie awards dinner on November 28 at The Hilton Hotel, Manchester.
The BusinessDesk.com is media partner for the awards in the North West and Yorkshire. For further information on the awards, categories and tickets, visit www.fdawards.co.uk.
