Brexit and its effects on alternative finance providers will be a major part of our discussion at the upcoming AFN Research Seminar on September 8, hosted by Fox Williams.

 

There were already signs that growth in lending volumes was slowing among alternative finance providers before June 23, prompting AltFi Data recently to cut its forecast for 2016 by 14%. If the economy (and particularly the property market) slows sharply through the rest of this year, the current slowdown could intensify.

 

However, there's more on the agenda too. We plan to split the evening into two sections so that we can concentrate on Brexit and the second big event of the past few weeks in the alternative finance world: the FCA's call for contributions to its review of P2P and crowdfunding regulation.

 

This paper raises a lot of key questions over the way the market is developing and could result in some major changes to the way equity crowdfunding and P2P lending sites operate in areas such as steps to resolve conflicts of interest, due diligence, standards of disclosure, assurances of liquidity and so on.

 

What are the big issues that the FCA is focusing on and what solutions might it propose?

 

 

Join Andy Davis, Programme Director for the AFN. Andy has a longstanding interest in business finance, previously as Editor of FT Weekend and more recently as a researcher, commentator and advisor on the game-changing developments unfolding in the SME funding market.

 

For our panel discussion on the impact of Brexit on the alternative finance landscape we will also be joined by:

 

 

Jonathan is a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Technology teams who specialises in FinTech and Alternative Finance, dedicating 100% of his time to helping clients in 's burgeoning FinTech and Alternative Finance scene.

 

Jonathan advises clients across the FinTech spectrum, from start-ups disrupting existing markets with innovative technology to financial institutions looking to invest in new technology. He has particular expertise in peer-to-peer and crowdfunding platforms, drawing on his extensive experience in the banking and finance sector gained both in-house at major financial institutions and in private practice.

 

He is advising clients following the EU referendum vote, ensuring they are ready to take advantage of the opportunities, mitigate risks, and have the processes and people in place to manage a period of uncertainty.

 

 

Sophie Muir is a Director & Co-Founder of Capital Engine which originates structures and invests in secured term loans for cash generative UK businesses across sectors. Since June 2013, Capital Engine structured 31 loans totalling £14m at loan sizes ranging from £0.2m - £3.5m and at an average interest rate of 11% p.a. plus fees.

They are accredited sponsors to ThinCats, a p2p secured lending platform for UK business, their main source of finance. ThinCats has provided £185m of loan opportunities since its launch in 2011 and relies on third party sponsors like Capital Engine.

 

 

Louise has over twenty years experience in growing companies - from initial spark, to operationalisation, results delivered, and value created. Having previously worked for organisations such as Siemens, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and Capgemini, Louise has focused on the UK’s fast growing alternative finance sector since 2010, including co-founding one of GLIs investees. Louise has advised key UK government departments and units on FinTech and AltFin including; HM Treasury, British Business Bank, Government Office for Science, Cabinet Office, UK Trade & Industry, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and Number 10 Downing Street's Policy Unit.

 

For our panel discussion on the FCA’s review of P2P and crowdfunding regulation, we will be joined by:

 

 

Peter is a litigation partner specialising in Financial Services regulatory issues and is a leading member of the firm’s financial services group. He belongs to the firm’s groups that advise clients on the Senior Managers & Certification Regime and the Senior Insurance Managers Regime. Having qualified in private practice, Peter was recruited by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) Enforcement Divisions Legal Group, where he was quickly appointed to the position of senior lawyer.

 

Peter has substantial experience in conducting disciplinary cases before the FSA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee and before the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber). Department head Peter Wright is widely consulted for his expertise on regulatory issues. He has commented in the Financial Times, New Model Adviser, FT Adviser, Bloomberg Law and a number of other leading media organisations.

 

Christopher Sier, Co-MD of FiNexus and Professor of Practice at Newcastle University Business School

 

Chris is Co-MD of FiNexus, a knowledge transfer and research organisation running a programme to build a series of research and innovation centres in the UK for financial services; it advises a range of stakeholders, including the UK Government, on innovation and fintech. He is also Professor of Practice at Newcastle University Business School. Previously Chris was Managing Director at KAS Bank and Director of the Financial Services Knowledge Transfer Network, a research, innovation and knowledge transfer organisation for financial services, bridging industry, academia and government. He has held various strategy management consulting roles, starting as Associate at AT Kearney, ending as partner in boutique firm specialising in advisory to the Buy-side.

 

 

Lisa Coppola, Chief Investment Officer at BondMason.

 

Lisa is responsible for ensuring that client capital can be deployed effectively and appropriately across a diversified set of lending partners and platforms.

 

Lisa is a credit professional with experience working on both the buy- and sell-side. Her credit experience is primarily within Leveraged Finance having worked at RBS in origination and as an analyst at M&G. She also has in-house corporate experience across a range of sectors in a strategic and operational capacity working with senior executives. Lisa holds a BA Hons in International Business and Modern Languages from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

 

Who can attend these seminars?

 

1) Paid Alternative Funding Network Members

 

Annual Corporate or Individual Members may attend these seminars free of charge.

 

For more information on our Annual Corporate or Annual Individual Membership please contact [email protected] for more information.

 

2) Non-AFN members may purchase a single ticket for £20 (+VAT)