May 2008

As on the TV, the "dragons" hold all the cards, and it is up to you to persuade them that your ideas are worthy of investment. You can be certain that any flaws will be uncovered very quickly by the sharpest financial brains in the UK!

If it is your first time - and it is unlikely to be a scenario you face regularly - it can be extremely daunting. Second chances are few and far between. you´ll need a formidable ally; as experienced and shrewd as the banks you´re dealing with. Talk to our LB Group´s corporate finance boutique.

LB Corporate Finance helps to guide companies through the bigger challenges they face. It´s made up of experts who´ve worked at the highest levels in the UK and across the world.

They include Trevor Lake, who led a team in Croatia, following the civil war, that restructured the ship building industry and carried out a diagnostic review of banks. Another key team member is John Jardine; a Chartered Banker and formerly Regional Director of the Royal Bank of Scotland, City. He has worked with businesses of up to £25m turnover and in the key financial centres across the world.

John has a hand in every credit paper for a lending proposal that passes through the boutique. We know only to include things that are relevant and we know how to catch the banker´s eye. Put simply, the boutique´s help can be the difference between a straightforward ´yes´ and a resounding ´no´.

Of course, corporate finance isn´t just about raising funds for your business. Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for you to set up a new business, negotiate a merger or acquisition, arrange management buy-outs and buy-ins, or extract value from your business without share dilution.

We´re also working to help a number of clients to arrange "cash out" deals. It is a service that has proved to be very attractive, especially to business owners in the lead up to their retirement.

Because these are exceptional times for you, you will work with exceptional people. What we offer is serious expertise beyond the scope of most accountants, the kind that is not normally available outside of the City.

Who you see is who you get. We do not believe in sending in our big hitters to talk to you then delegate all the work to junior staff. One or more of our directors will stay personally involved throughout and be your main point of contact.

To see further how LB Group can assist you in growing and funding your business, please contact Chris Annis on 01206 867 551 or at chris.annis@lbgroupltd.com