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Mark Thomas ...
  • Mike Foster
  • Richard Jeans

Hardman & Co Monthly: June 2025

Feature article: Addressing the “risk off” investment challenge

As we approach mid-2025, life remains challenging for many UK companies and their shareholders, and ‒ as a broad generalisation – consensus suggests little will change in the foreseeable future.

So, are we now facing a real risk of the UK economy stagnating due to lack of funding? If that is the case, who is going to take the initiative and avert such a crisis?

Business life must continue, despite the macro environment providing limited visibility and the distractions of political tensions taking centre stage on a regular basis. This is hardly a background for inspiring confidence. Those of a more optimistic persuasion may point out that the UK stock market indices show signs of stability and the US indices have almost recovered their initial 2025 losses. However, feedback from the UK private company sector raises broader concerns, and this will be the focus or the rest of this article.
Underlyings
Accesso Technology Group

Accesso Technology Group is engaged in the development and application of ticketing, mobile and eCommerce technologies, and virtual queuing solutions for the attractions and leisure industry. Co.'s solutions include accesso LoQueue, accesso Passport, accesso Siriusware and accesso ShoWare. Co. primarily has operations or customers in the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico.

Apax Global Alpha

Apax Global Alpha is a closed-ended investment company that invests in a diversified portfolio of private equity funds and derived investments in debt and equities. As of Dec 21 2017, Co. targeted an annualized Total Net Asset Value Return across economic cycles of 12-15%, net of fees and expenses. Co.'s investment activities are managed by Apax Guernsey Managers Limited (the Investment Manager) under a discretionary investment management agreement. The Investment Manager obtains investment advice from Apax Partners LLP (Apax Partners). Apax Partners advises on investments globally in companies across four sectors: Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer.

Arbuthnot Banking Group

Arbuthnot Banking Group is primarily involved in banking and financial services. Co. is organized into three main operating segments: Retail banking (associate), which incorporates household cash management, personal lending and banking and insurance services; U.K. Private banking, which incorporates private banking, commercial banking and wealth management; and Group Centre, which is comprised in Co.'s Group Centre management. As of Dec 31 2016, Co.'s total assets were £1.27 billion.

ICG Enterprise Trust

ICG Enterprise Trust is an investment trust. Co. is a private equity investment company focused on buyouts in developed markets. Co. invests in private equity funds and also directly in private companies. As of Jan 31 2017, Co.'s total investment portfolio amounted to £594.3 million.

NB Private Equity Partners

Real Estate Credit Investments

Volta Finance (GBP)

Volta Finance is a closed-ended investment company with the objective of investing, among other asset types, in the following main asset classes: Collateralized Loan Obligation, Synthetic Corporate Credit, Cash Corporate Credit and ABS. Co. has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris S.A., as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager to manage the investments of Co.

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Hardman & Co
Hardman & Co

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Analysts
Mark Thomas

Mike Foster

Richard Jeans

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