━ DEBT ADVISORY FOR UK BUSINESSES

Business debt advisory
A clearer view of your borrowing.

Understand your current commitments, explore your options and plan funding around the way your business works.

Start with your plans and existing facilities. Any new funding is subject to assessment.

━ THE STARTING POINT

What is business debt advisory?

Debt advisory starts with a practical question: does the borrowing you have still suit the business you run?

A loan taken out for an earlier plan, an overdraft used throughout the year or several facilities with different payment dates can be difficult to assess in isolation. Looking at them together helps make the costs, commitments and possible choices clearer.

Milestone Funding helps you explore business finance around your circumstances. Bring your existing agreements and a clear outline of what you want to change so the conversation begins with the whole picture.

A useful starting point: a schedule showing each balance, monthly payment, renewal date and any assets or personal guarantees supporting the borrowing.

━ BEFORE YOU MAKE A CHANGE

Know what you are committing to.

Compare the total payable as well as monthly payments.
Check settlement charges before replacing an agreement.
Understand security, guarantees and contractual conditions.
Leave room in your forecast for weaker trading.

If repayments are already unaffordable

A new funding enquiry is not a substitute for help with financial distress. If the business cannot meet its liabilities, seek appropriately qualified insolvency or legal advice promptly.

━ OUR APPROACH

Put the business plan
at the centre of the conversation.

Start with the reason

Explain what needs to change: the payment pattern, available headroom, an upcoming purchase or the timing of a project.

Work from current figures

Use up-to-date balances and trading information. Historic accounts may not show the cash available today.

Compare the commitments

Consider fees, duration, security and conditions alongside repayments. The lowest instalment does not always mean the lowest overall cost.

Keep the decision clear

Ask questions, review the documents and take relevant professional advice before committing. Exploring options does not require accepting an offer.

━ WHEN TO TAKE STOCK

Has your business moved on
from its original funding?

A change in trading

Your sales mix, margins or payment cycle has changed since the facility was arranged.

A new investment

A planned purchase needs its own budget, including the cash required after the asset arrives.

An approaching expiry

A facility is coming to an end and you want time to understand the available routes.

Several commitments

Different repayment dates and lenders make it harder to see the overall monthly burden.

Cash tied up in invoices

Customers are paying later than your suppliers, payroll or other costs need to be paid.

A different growth plan

You are preparing for a larger contract, a new location or a change in ownership.

━ WHAT WE CAN DISCUSS

A practical review of your funding options.

Review existing borrowing

Bring each agreement into one picture so balances, terms and obligations can be considered together.

Outstanding balances and settlement figures
Repayment dates and facility limits
Security, guarantees and renewal conditions

Explore refinancing

Compare keeping an arrangement with replacing it. A lower monthly payment may come with a longer term and a higher overall cost.

Existing-lender and replacement options
Exit charges and new arrangement fees
The effect on cash flow and security

Plan a new funding request

Set out the purpose, budget and repayment source before choosing a product. Include the working cash needed to put the plan into practice.

Purchase and implementation costs
Business contribution and funding gap
Forecasts and supporting documents

Understand working-capital needs

Separate money tied up in the trading cycle from recurring losses. The timing of receipts matters as much as the annual sales figure.

Customer and supplier payment patterns
Seasonal stock and contract costs
Invoice and trade finance options

Explore the facilities behind the plan

Different funding types have different purposes. Read about the structures before discussing which may fit your circumstances.

Business loans → · Asset finance → · Invoice finance → · Trade finance →

━ THE PROCESS

From a first conversation
to an informed decision.

Tell us what you want to achieve

Outline the business, the current borrowing and the change you have in mind. Flag any time-sensitive commitments.

Bring together the information

Prepare accounts, recent trading figures, facility agreements and a cash-flow forecast. Explain any gaps in the information.

Explore the possible routes

Discuss whether existing arrangements, revised terms or a new facility could support the plan. Keep the purpose and repayment source in view.

Review and choose your next step

Compare costs, security and conditions. Take professional advice where needed and proceed only when you understand the commitments.

━ WHO WE HELP

Different sectors.
Different cash cycles.

The useful questions depend on how your business gets paid, what it needs to buy and when its costs fall due.

Construction & trades

Transport & logistics

Manufacturing

Retail & wholesale

Recruitment

Professional services

Healthcare

Hospitality

Agriculture

━ YOUR QUESTIONS

Debt advisory FAQs

What should I bring to the first conversation?

A list of your borrowing and the reason for the review is a useful start. Have current agreements, recent accounts, management figures and a cash-flow forecast available if possible. Tell us about renewal dates or other deadlines.

Will refinancing reduce my costs?

Not necessarily. A longer term can reduce the instalment while increasing the total interest paid. Compare settlement costs, new fees and the full repayment schedule before deciding whether a change is worthwhile.

Can I keep my existing lender?

Yes. Exploring alternatives does not commit you to moving. Any revised terms from your existing lender should be considered alongside the costs and conditions of other available options.

Is a personal guarantee the same as business security?

No. Business security gives a lender rights over specified assets. A personal guarantee can make an owner or director personally responsible for the debt if the business fails to pay. Read the wording and obtain independent legal advice before signing.

Is this suitable if my business is struggling to pay its debts?

A funding discussion should not delay specialist help. If the business cannot meet its liabilities or is facing enforcement action, seek appropriately qualified insolvency or legal advice promptly. Additional borrowing may not resolve the underlying problem.

How soon should I start?

Start while you still have time to gather the documents, consider alternatives and obtain advice. The timetable depends on the facility, any security, the provider’s checks and your transaction deadline. There is no guaranteed completion date.

Does filling in the form mean I have been approved?

No. The form records an enquiry for review. It does not issue a funding offer or an automated eligibility decision. Any application is subject to the relevant provider’s assessment and terms.

How do I find out about charges?

Ask for a written explanation of any fees and remuneration that apply before agreeing to proceed. Include provider charges and professional costs when comparing the total cost of an option.

Further reading: British Business Bank — refinancing and debt consolidation · Understanding personal guarantees

READY TO SECURE YOUR FUNDING?

Start with a clearer view
of your borrowing.

Tell us what your business needs to change. We can help you explore the next conversation about your funding.

✓ UK businesses

✓ Clear communication

✓ Practical guidance

YOUR NEXT STEP

Let’s move your business forward.

Share a little about your business and the funding you have in mind, or contact us with a question.

Helping UK businesses explore finance for the milestones that matter.

Our address
Future House, South Place
Chesterfield, S40 1SZ

Finance is subject to eligibility, status and lender terms. Security or a personal guarantee may be required.

Business debt advisoryA clearer view of your borrowing.