Josie Baker (Founder and Head of Finance)
Since Holt Baker’s launch in January 2017, the finance practice has enjoyed working with innovative start-ups and growth focused SME clients in a variety of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, AI development and hospitality, as well as some inspirational charities. The roles have also been wide ranging; acting as an outsourced in-house head of finance, preparing forecasts for fund raising and introducing effective cash management processes. We have also worked with several clients to ensure appropriate company and groups structures are put in place now to support future strategic endeavours.
So, what does that mean for you? Well, it means that the Finance practise has a broad range of experience and is used to delivering bespoke solutions to clients’ issues, in sometimes difficult and high-pressured circumstances. We can help you identify factors across all areas of your business that can drive success and manage your growth, as well as navigate the pitfalls we have seen lead to businesses facing challenges to their success. Our experience dictates that advice is pragmatic, proactive and commercial.
Prior to setting up Holt Baker, I worked at AlixPartners, a global business advisory and consulting firm, where I gained experience in a diverse range of sectors and situations and delivered results, often in challenging circumstances. I have worked on a wide variety of consulting assignments which have provided financial and operational reviews, together with solutions for management to ensure business risks were identified and mitigated. I also spent 13 months seconded to a UK clearing bank where i directly managed the bank’s strategy and lending positions with customers.
TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS
Realistic & achievable financial forecasting
Working with you to agree robust and realistic assumptions to ensure you know what is achievable and when, allowing you to better understand what the future looks like.
Optimal business and group structuring
Understanding your strategy, be that for growth, investment, planned exits etc, and setting up the appropriate corporate structure now to support those plans, from a business and tax perspective, in the future.
Cash Management
Understanding your cash burn and run way and what tools are available for you to manage them, including claiming all available tax credits (eg. R&D tax credits).
Funding options
Advising about mechanisms and obtaining of appropriate levels of funding, at various points throughout the life of your business to ensure you have what you need, when you need it, to support the growth of your business.
Useful management information
Assisting with implementing systems, from financial and KPI dash boards to management and investor reporting to equip you to make informed, strategic decisions as you grow.
Financial & operational review
Reviewing your financial and operational performance to help you see how you can maximise opportunities for, and mitigate possible threats to, achieving your goals.