Firms in UK and China are looking for investment opportunities?

Jo Pisani, is a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, UK, responsible for consumer and industrial products in the Market & Value Advisory team. She spoke to BT’s Suman Layak on managing the downturn. Excerpts:

What kind of advice do clients seek during a downturn?
They mostly ask about ways of cost reduction and outsourcing as a way of cutting costs. Companies also seek advice on whether their strategies are on course. Often creditors also ask us to review a borrower’s strategy.

How is the mood elsewhere in the world?
I have just arrived here from China where there was a double digit growth not too long ago. Like everywhere else, people in China are concerned about how quickly the credit crisis has spread. Many companies are looking for investment opportunities.

How is the situation in the UK?
In UK the private equity industry has witnessed a fall as access to credit has dropped. There are opportunities for investments in midsized companies too. We see quite a few companies going that way.