A special advisory team to help local businesses with economic downturn

Date: 24.06.09 A special advisory team to help local businesses with economic downturn BDO Stoy Hayward’s Business Restructuring and Corporate Finance teams in Southampton are offering their combined expertise to help regional businesses in facing challenges as a result of the current economic situation. Mike Lashmar coordinates the new team, which draws on the combined experience of Partners Andy Beckingham and Paul Russell, and will specialise in maximising value for all stakeholders in businesses that are underperforming. Mike Lashmar explained: “Unfortunately it is a sign of the times that many businesses are facing pressure on banking covenants and cash flows which could ultimately lead to problems. “We’ve set up a specialist team to help management and shareholders of businesses stay fully informed of the full range of strategic options available to them. We are able to offer added value when companies are considering an accelerated sale, the business is underperforming or the business is facing significant financial pressure. “It may be that the team is able to offer some timely advice that may lead to an improvement in performance. Alternatively, a fresh perspective and a considered view may assist management to successfully navigate the business through today’s difficult times and could prevent businesses failing.” Any businesses wanting to seek advice from the specialist team are invited to call Mike Lashmar for an informal, no obligation discussion on 023 8088 1790 or e-mail him at michael.lashmar@bdo.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Paul Russell on paul.russell@bdo.co.uk or Andy Beckingham on andy.beckingham@bdo.co.uk. Ends Word Count: 244 For more information, please contact Debbie Osborne at Logical Creative Marketing or email debbie@lcm.co.uk Notes to editors: BDO Stoy Hayward LLP operates across the UK with over 3,000 partners and staff. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP is a UK limited liability partnership and the UK Member Firm of BDO International. BDO international is a world-wide network of public accounting firms, called BDO Member Firms. Each BDO Member Firm is an independent legal entity in its own country. The network is coordinated by BDO Global Coordination B.V., incorporated in The Netherlands, with its statutory seat in Eindhoven (trade register registration number 33205251) and with an office at Boulevard de la Woluwe 60, 1200 Brussels, Belgium, where the International Executive Office is located. In the UK the Belfast Firm is operated by a separate Partnership known as BDO Stoy Hayward - Belfast. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP and BDO Stoy Hayward - Belfast are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority to conduct investment business. BDO Stoy Hayward LLP and BDO Stoy Hayward - Belfast are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority to conduct investment business. BDO Stoy Hayward is an award winning firm. Recent achievements include: • Best Workplace UK - Financial Times 2008 • 100 Best Companies to Work For - The Sunday Times 2008 • Audit Team of the Year – Accountancy Age Awards 2008 • Tax Team of the Year – Accountancy Age Awards 2008 • Corporate Finance Deal of the Year – Accountancy Age Awards 2008 • Employer of the Year – Accountancy Age Awards 2007 • The Women of Achievement Award – Women in the City 2008 • Top 50 Where Women Want to Work - The Times 2007 • Business Superbrand - Business Superbrands 2008