UK exit from EU – impact on investment and why businesses must act now

Six weeks after the vote, stock markets, after initial steep declines, have performed strongly. The same however, is not true of the value of the pound on the world’s currency markets.

Against the US dollar, the pound has lost about 12% of its value since 23 June. This is significant because we will soon be having to pay more for any imported products, particularly those priced in US dollars (e.g oil) than was the case a few weeks ago. The flip side of course is that our exports will be cheaper for foreign customers and this should have a beneficial effect on our balance of trade.

I have been asked on a number of occasions whether the UK exit from EU will have any implications for the leasing industry. After stating the obvious, that any reduction or increase in business confidence will have an effect on business investment decisions, it occurred to me that there might be some real short term benefits for certain equipment suppliers. As explained above the price of imported products will increase in the coming months, unless the pound very quickly recovers it’s lost value. This means that businesses contemplating an investment decision involving imported capital equipment, have a very strong reason to make that decision soon.

Ahead of the UK exit from EU, taking out a leasing agreement now for imported equipment will give customers the benefit of locking into current prices, whilst spreading the cost of acquisition over a number of years.

Andy Milson, Head of Partner Training & Development at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions

Andy is an experienced sales and finance professional with over 25 years’ experience in sales aid leasing. Andy is widely recognised as an expert in business finance and has in recent years focused his attention on developing partner sales teams develop an understanding of how businesses secure project financing. His training programme – Finance Unlocked – is a highly rated customisable course and is offered at no cost to partners.

If you’re interested in helping your sales team overcome finance-related hurdles during the selling cycle, please get in touch with Andy on
07966 114 243 or email here.