The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA), the representative body for the UK’s small and mid-cap quoted company sector, held its Annual Dinner, where guest speakers highlighted upcoming policy issues and emphasised the strength of the small and mid-cap quoted sector to an audience of 500 company directors and their advisers.
Brian Winterflood, QCA President and Life President of Winterflood Securities, discussed the importance of the QCA in lobbying on behalf of the small and mid-cap quoted sector and urged attendees to participate in the current consultations that will have a significant effect on the small and mid-cap sector, such as the future location of UK Listing Authority.
Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange, whose organisation sponsored the event, emphasised the Exchange’s commitment to small and mid-cap quoted companies and discussed the Exchange’s view on the destination of the UKLA and its response to HM Treasury’s Green Paper ‘Financing a Private Sector Recovery’. Xavier Rolet said: “SMEs will be the drivers of economic growth and the creators of new jobs. We must work together across industry and geography, with government, to deliver an environment that is conducive to fostering that growth."
Donald Stewart, QCA Chairman, also speaking at the event, said: “Small and mid-cap quoted companies have been impacted by an avalanche of regulatory change. Where the UKLA ends up is important as that will set the course for its culture and outlook for many years to come. With the Green Paper ‘Financing a Private Sector Recovery’, the time is now ripe for a real debate on how to encourage entrepreneurs and allow smaller companies to flourish. Our message that equity investment in small and mid-cap quoted companies can drive economic growth and job creation, and is the antidote to over-reliance on debt, is being listened to. Yet we are only at the start of a process which will involve much work before tangible results are likely.”
Tim Ward, QCA Chief Executive, stated after the event on Thursday 23 September 2010: “Our speakers highlighted a number of important consultations and changes taking place, including HM Treasury’s Green Paper on business finance, the destination of the UKLA and the raft of financial services Directives’ reviews. The QCA will continue to participate actively in the debate on all these issues. We will strive to ensure that the regulatory environment for small and mid-cap quoted companies is proportionate.”
Other sponsors of the evening included: Simcocks Trust, Champagne Reception sponsor, and Evolution Securities, Wedlake Bell, and Hemscott, a Morningstar Company, as supporting sponsors.
