Insight

Why appointing an experienced capital advisor is critical in today’s market.

3 minute Read

In today’s fragmented and rapidly shifting commercial finance landscape, accessing funding is no longer just about choosing a lender and submitting an application. Markets are tighter, credit appetites shift frequently, and the margin for error is narrower than ever. For property developers, business owners, and family offices with significant capital at stake, engaging an experienced capital advisor is no longer a luxury — it’s a strategic necessity.

The value of an expert navigator.

At a glance, many sophisticated clients believe they can manage their own financing arrangements. And while they may possess deep financial acumen, they are often met with challenges that fall outside their immediate field of expertise. The real value of an experienced capital advisor lies not just in technical skill, but in the ability to read the market, pre-empt obstacles, and execute with certainty.

Advisors with deep lender-side relationships, up-to-date market intelligence, and a nuanced understanding of credit appetite can unlock funding options that aren’t immediately visible. They understand how to structure deals that resonate with lenders — whether it’s mitigating pre-sale shortfalls, addressing sponsor experience gaps, or navigating the grey areas of credit policy.

What happens without the right advice?

Without expert guidance, borrowers often encounter avoidable roadblocks:

  • Wasted time with mismatched lenders
    Engaging the wrong funding source can delay progress by months — time that projects and businesses can’t afford to lose.
  • Sub-optimal terms or mispriced risk
    Without a clear benchmark of what’s “market”, borrowers may accept terms that are either too expensive or unnecessarily restrictive.
  • Undetected structural issues
    A facility may seem viable until legal, covenant, or security issues emerge late in the process — jeopardising outcomes.
  • Fractured relationships
    Attempting to renegotiate with lenders without a clear strategy can cause reputational damage or lead to deteriorating terms.
  • Missed opportunities
    Strategic options — such as asset-backed working capital, mezzanine tranches, or structuring flexibility — often go unexplored without a well-informed advocate.

The advantage of senior-led, relationship-driven execution.

Unlike generalist brokers or high-volume platforms, specialised capital advisors provide hands-on, senior-led engagement. They act not just as deal facilitators, but as strategic thought partners, helping clients align financing with their broader objectives — whether that’s growth, liquidity, or long-term portfolio optimisation.

They also act as a buffer between borrower and lender, protecting key relationships while handling sensitive negotiations, managing covenant discussions, and delivering investor-grade materials that enhance credibility.

In summary.

Even the most capable sponsors can benefit from the guidance of a strategic capital advisor. In a market where small missteps can have significant consequences, appointing the right partner can be the difference between a deal that works — and one that doesn’t.

At Actum Advisory, we specialise in helping property developers, business owners and family offices structure, negotiate and execute capital strategies that deliver results — no matter how complex the challenge.
About the author
Tom Ryan
Tom is the founder and Managing Director of Actum Advisory. He has deep expertise across real estate, structured finance and corporate debt advisory and leads the firm’s real estate and strategic finance practice. Tom is a former commercial finance executive with over a 15 years of experience supporting business owners, developers and family offices with capital structuring, stakeholder management and transaction execution.
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