Member Article

Businesses struggling to raise finance for property

Business advisers and accountants Armstrong Watson are finding that despite a general increase in business finance activity, many clients are still finding it difficult to raise finance when it comes to commercial property.

Purchasing new property or investing in property development can often be an essential element in a business’s plan to grow, yet when it comes to raising the finance for this, it can be a difficult and not always successful process.

Armstrong Watson can now offer assistance to local businesses with the appointment of Judith Lancaster, who has recently joined the corporate finance team. Judith specialises in property and development finance and has over 16 years’ experience in bridging the gap between her clients and potential sources of funding.

Judith will be working with clients in taking a holistic approach to raising finance, which can often involve looking at less traditional routes of raising finance or funding development work such as releasing equity from other properties or utilising multiple sources of finance such as specialist finance and finding independent investors.

Client Nicky Irving comments: ‘Irving Builders have been working with Judith for a number of years now and she has helped us to realise our business goals more quickly and find the right kind of funding. Our business is experiencing a very healthy level of growth and we really value her continued support for the future.’

Judith comments: ‘Lenders do have their doors open but some are selective in the type of property deals they take on and criteria can differ from one lender to another. Due to my experience, I’m able to look at the whole of the market, assessing which lenders to approach, matching the characteristics of a project with specific lenders who are best suited to it.

Some lenders are good in a particular area and it is knowing the market so well which enables me to be successful in supporting clients to secure funding. This includes working with clients to ensure their case is presented in the correct way and supporting them through the entire process, managing risk and looking at previously unexplored avenues of funding.

Joining Armstrong Watson is a fantastic opportunity and I feel that the combination of the services available and my specialist knowledge, we will give the best possible support to our clients, helping them to achieve their aspirations.’

Richard Rankin, Head of Corporate Finance comments: ‘Having a specialist service dedicated to commercial property and development finance is a first for Armstrong Watson, we are delighted to have Judith on board bringing her experience, strengthening the existing team and enabling us to better support businesses in achieving their goals.’

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Catherine May .