Student recruitment is key to the financial sustainability of universities. Many institutions have strategically targeted growth in their student population, particularly internationals, to offset the impact of fixed domestic undergraduate tuition fees, which have eroded in real-term value over the years.

Universities are facing increased pressures to deliver Net Zero (“NZ”), with students calling for action and commitments in addition to UK government targets. 

Historically, a treasury strategy has been seen as another piece of governance reporting that adds little on top of wider financial forecasting.

Major banks have typically been the main providers of short-term facilities to the Higher Education (“HE”) sector, with these facilities ranging from two to five-year tenors (and occasionally longer for the highest quality HEIs), with possible options to extend at lender discretion.

Spurred by global events – from areas of conflict to the climate emergency, several of our clients have begun to reconsider whether their wider strategic aims and the expectations of stakeholders are reflected across multiple areas of their businesses.

We are delighted to have been awarded Advisory Team of the year, at this year’s Unlock Net Zero Awards.

QMPF is thrilled to announce our sponsorship of the South Morningside Primary School girls' football team. There is great momentum behind girls' participation in sport, and football in particular - both nationally and here in Edinburgh.

QMPF is being asked to support a number of its clients through restructuring and renegotiation of their existing borrowing. It can seem a daunting process to undertake…but this doesn’t have to be the case.

QMPF is delighted to have been appointed to Lot 2.4 Financial Support on the Heat Network Zoning Framework procured by the Department of Energy Security and Net zero (DESNZ).

Pressures on operating costs and revenues, as well as an interest rate environment that is fundamentally different from the past decade has seen many finance directors and treasury managers re-evaluate options for cash and cash equivalents. What factors and options could you be considering?

QMPF has recently launched an Electric Vehicle (EV) Salary Sacrifice Scheme for its employees. This complements our existing benefits and polices around sustainable transport, which include cycle to work schemes and offsetting our residual carbon emissions through ‘Gold Standard’ accredited projects in the developing world.

We are delighted to announce the promotion of Andrew Dougans to the partnership as of 1st April 2024.   

In the last couple of years, there has been limited consideration of private placements as a route to raising new finance. But as commentators begin to mull the potential for underlying interest rates to fall in the coming months, we think private placements (“PPs”) might be worth another look.

A changed interest rate and inflation environment alongside pension funds’ demand for index linked assets, particularly where they offer diversification, has seen “income strip” finance emerge as a popular option in project finance and for more general capital raising. Yet for many it remains a complex and misunderstood area.  

QMPF is delighted to have acted as lead and financial advisor to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on the selection of a consortium

Universities will have to commit significant capital investment to deliver ‘Net Zero’ goals and their wider strategic objectives. This article explores Sustainable Financing options and alternative approaches for funding renewable energy projects.

QMPF has been named a finalist in Property Week’s Student Accommodation Awards

We were delighted to be shortlisted at Partnerships Awards earlier this month in the  “Financial Advisor of the Year” category.

The University of Manchester has appointed three professional services consultancies to consult on a major investment and development strategy for its student accommodation.

We are pleased to announce that QMPF has been shortlisted for the Property Week Student Accommodation “Professional Team of the Year” Award 2022.

2021 was a busy period, as we’ve supported our clients in emerging from the pandemic and in making major investments in key areas of the economy.

QMPF is pleased to have been appointed as financial advisor to the University of Exeter on their Clydesdale and Birks Student Residences DBFO project

Working at QMPF - What our Graduates say

The partners of QMPF are pleased to announce the promotion of Andrew Wilkinson to the partnership as of 1st March 2022.

The use of LIBOR as a reference rate in loan agreements in the UK will cease from 31 December 2021. Most UK lenders are transitioning to use SONIA (the “Sterling Overnight Index Average”) as its replacement.

Buro Happold (technical advisors) engaged QMPF to assist in the delivery of an Investment Grade Business Case (“IGBC”).

With a continued push to tackle the effect of climate change and to achieve the government’s goal of net zero, there is funding available for low carbon energy projects in Scotland and England to encourage green investment.

QMPF is delighted to have been appointed on the Crown Commercial Services (“CCS”) RM6169 Corporate Finance Services 2 Framework.

The LCITP is a Scottish Government led initiative which provides support for low carbon heat projects, local energy systems and renewable electricity solutions for buildings across Scotland.

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for "Financial Advisor of the Year" for the Partnership Awards 2020.

Partnering Approaches in Social Housing

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for "Financial Advisor of the Year" for the Partnership Awards 2019.

We reflect on another successful period advising in our core sectors but also tapping into a number of new areas!

Information about funding available for district heating projects in England and Wales.

Anaerobic Digestion Plant and Heat Network

QMPF is pleased to have won a silver award in the Partnership Awards 2018.

QMPF is pleased to announce that the Northern Ireland Investment Fund (“NIIF”) has made an investment of £20m.