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.

30 May 2025
Hardman & Co Monthly: June 2025
ICG Enterprise Trust PLC GBP (ICGT:LON), 1,331 | Volta Finance Limited (VTA:LON), 645 | Real Estate Credit Investments Limited (RECI:LON), 126 | NB Private Equity Partners Limited Class A (NBPE:LON), 1,428 | Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC (ARBB:LON), 922 | accesso Technology Group Plc (ACSO:LON), 513 | Apax Global Alpha Ltd. (APAX:LON), 114

Sign up for free to access
Get access to the latest equity research in real-time from 12 commissioned providers.
Get access to the latest equity research in real-time from 12 commissioned providers.
Hardman & Co Monthly: June 2025
ICG Enterprise Trust PLC GBP (ICGT:LON), 1,331 | Volta Finance Limited (VTA:LON), 645 | Real Estate Credit Investments Limited (RECI:LON), 126 | NB Private Equity Partners Limited Class A (NBPE:LON), 1,428 | Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC (ARBB:LON), 922 | accesso Technology Group Plc (ACSO:LON), 513 | Apax Global Alpha Ltd. (APAX:LON), 114
- Published:
30 May 2025 -
Author:
Mike Foster | Mark Thomas | Richard Jeans -
Pages:
15 -
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.