As American author, Paul Auster said, “If you’re not ready for everything, you’re not ready for anything.”

At SIA Group, we are ready for whatever the economy may throw at us and positioned to support the UK’s asset-based lenders, banks, debt funds and financial sponsors, as well as insolvency practitioners and restructuring professionals in helping them meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

In 2020, we hit the ground strongly, responding to the pandemic by getting out on site to provide practical on-the-ground support when our clients were not able to, protecting asset value and enabling great deals to get done.

In the first half of 2021, we have enjoyed 90% growth against the corresponding period of 2020 and our property disposals have grown by a staggering 145% in the last 12 months. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology by five years and we have been able to expand our markets and drive value, keeping SIA Group ahead of the curve. We have opened new offices in Birmingham and Leeds and made a string of senior appointments during this time to strengthen our rapidly growing team, both in core specialist disciplines and within the regions.

In H1 2021, M&A deal-making has seen a significant resurgence, fuelled by private equity firms investing substantial levels of dry powder and asset-based lenders stepping up to supply increasing sums of working capital to drive greater headroom for MBOs MBIs and acquisitions as well as fuelling post-acquisition growth. Pent-up demand from both buy-side and sell-side following the frustrations of successive lockdowns, coupled with contemplated changes to capital gains tax are likely to inject further urgency and spur deal-flow activity throughout the H2 budget window.

Economic confidence has rebounded in terms of market activity following the unlocking of the economy on July 19 but the position remains fragile.

Government intervention in respect of temporary restrictions on the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions, together with enhanced financial support for companies has stemmed the tide of company insolvencies which are at an all-time record low but as we all know this is masking the true economic position.

The rise in zombie businesses and the growing cohort of companies looking to service unsustainable debt in repaying COVID-19 loans tell a story of a very different kind, heralding a potential cliff-edge for thousands of organisations large and small throughout the UK. With a groundswell of over half a million businesses reported to be facing financial distress, SIA Group is here to support the insolvency and restructuring industry as the profession looks to tackle instructions on an entirely new scale.

Whether you are looking at M&A transactions, insolvency or turnarounds, SIA Group is ready for everything.

For the first choice in asset valuations and auctions, contact SIA Group on 020 7498 4900.