Feature article: Addressing the “risk off” investment challenge As we approach mid-2025, life remains challenging for many UK companies and their shareholders, and ‒ as a broad generalisation – consensus suggests little will change in the foreseeable future. So, are we now facing a real risk of the UK economy stagnating due to lack of funding? If that is the case, who is going to take the initiative and avert such a crisis? Business life must continue, despite the macro environment providing limited visibility and the distractions of political tensions taking centre stage on a regular basis. This is hardly a background for inspiring confidence. Those of a more optimistic persuasion may point out that the UK stock market indices show signs of stability and the US indices have almost recovered their initial 2025 losses. However, feedback from the UK private company sector raises broader concerns, and this will be the focus or the rest of this article.