Azets appoints debt advisory specialist Vicky Fisher as service for businesses grows
A debt advisory team which supports businesses in the UK has signalled further staff expansion this year with a new hire covering the western and central regions.
Vicky Fisher has joined UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets as assistant manager, working out of Cardiff.
Supporting businesses, Vicky worked for Lloyds Bank for 22 years and continues to sit on the board at Business in Focus, a social enterprise which helps Welsh start-ups, in a volunteer role as a non-executive director.
Vicky will be working with Martyn Freeman, a debt advisory director based in Gloucester.
Mark Barrie, London-based head of debt advisory at Azets UK, said: “Vicky joins Martyn in assisting SME owners and managers across the western and central regions in all aspects of finance, the lifeblood of all businesses large and small.
“Industry figures show that SME borrowing in the UK is circa £62 billion, with around two in five SMEs requiring external finance, whether that is to service growth, asset finance, cashflow issues, restructuring or to switch to cheaper debt.
“Our latest appointment is the first of three we have planned for the early part of this year, to meet commercial demand, with plans to grow Scotland and the South as well.”
Vicky said: “There are many businesses which would benefit from a review of existing finance facilities to help them reduce the cost of servicing debt or help with their capital expenditure plans at a time when inflation and higher employer taxes and costs have pressurised profit margins.
“I look forward to supporting them with advice on funding options from the market. Our debt advisory service can unlock new opportunities and build business value for clients.”
Azets’ previous debt advisory hire was in August – Sheffield-based Michael Davies, assistant manager, supports businesses in the North West.