Hermes Ledger with Nick Samios

What is holding Australian businesses back from starting, accessing capital and growing?

In the Sydney edition of The Business Dynamism Project, Nick Samios is joined by Chris Slack, David Kenney and Martie Tziotis for a practical discussion on business funding, acquisitions, succession, working capital and restructuring.

The panel covers:

• Why acquisition activity is increasing
• Intergenerational business succession
• What makes a business easier to fund or invest in
• Why revenue growth can create working capital pressure
• ATO debt and the issues that often sit behind it
• What lenders are looking for beyond the financials
• The role of brokers in identifying the real business problem
• Customer retention, margins and investor expectations
• When more capital stops being the right answer
• Why early intervention leaves more options available

The discussion also looks at private credit, debtors ledgers, customer concentration, business valuations, AI and the changing role of commercial finance brokers.

Speakers:
Nick Samios, Hermes Capital
Chris Slack, The Finance Consultancy
David Kenney
Martie Tziotis, EY-Parthenon

Watch the full seminar for a practical look at the issues affecting Australian SMEs as they start, fund, grow, transition and restructure.

In the Brisbane edition of The Business Dynamism Project, Nick Samios is joined by Dr Mark Rainbird and Matthew Hudson for a discussion on capital, restructuring, business transition and the decisions that determine whether value can be preserved.

The panel explores what makes an SME capital-ready, the difference between debt and equity, why businesses need a funding strategy alongside their business strategy, and how advisers assess whether an underlying business is viable enough to restructure or recapitalise.

The conversation also covers governance, family funding, stakeholder management, short-term finance, insolvency trends, private credit and why starting the conversation earlier gives business owners and advisers more options.

In the Melbourne edition of The Business Dynamism Project, Nick Samios is joined by David Gandolfo and Jeanine Purdie for a practical discussion on financial stress, access to capital, ATO debt, late payments and restructuring.

The panel looks at the warning signs businesses and advisers should act on earlier, the role of short-term finance, why business owners often wait too long to seek help, and the importance of understanding the underlying cause of financial pressure before adding more debt.

The discussion also covers private credit, business confidence, regulation, collections, preferential payments and the role brokers and advisers play in helping viable businesses find a way forward.

How do you structure deals in a market where serviceability pressure, rising costs and tighter credit conditions are all colliding at once?

Hosted by Max Szarycz from Hermes Capital, the panel features:
• Nick Samios – Hermes Capital
• Peter Lucas – Kestrel Solutions
• Peter Johnson – Get You Loans

The discussion covers:
• debt serviceability in today’s market
• cash flow pressure across SMEs
• refinancing and restructuring challenges
• the rise of short-term fintech lending
• operational risk and management capability
• why more deals are stalling in credit
• and how brokers can structure transactions more effectively in 2026

The panel also explores the growing impact of debt stacking, margin pressure, poor financial visibility, and why funding alone rarely solves the underlying business problem.

This session is designed for:
• commercial finance brokers
• SME advisers
• asset finance specialists
• private credit professionals
• and business owners navigating tighter credit conditions

Listen to the full discussion now.

 

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Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

When a business comes under pressure, the question isn’t just how to access capital, it’s how to protect value.

In this Sydney seminar, Hermes Capital brings together Nick Samios, Bruce Connors, and Marcus Petrovic, hosted by Max, to unpack one of the most important decisions brokers face:

Restructure, refinance… or run the auction?

With interest rates staying higher for longer, the discussion explores how brokers can avoid short-term fixes, assess asset values realistically, and structure funding that actually supports long-term outcomes.

We'll discuss capital stacking, asset recoverability, restructuring pathways, and how to guide clients through difficult decisions with clarity and discipline.

If you’re working with SME clients or navigating private credit deals, this session will help you approach them with a stronger framework.

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Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

Deals aren’t failing because there’s no money.

They’re failing because they don’t stack up.

Private credit is growing, but getting deals approved is becoming more complex.

In this Brisbane seminar, Nick Samios (Hermes Capital) is joined by Ian Hyman, Patrick Schweizer, and Mark Rainbird to break down what’s really happening in SME credit markets.

They cover how risk is being assessed, why asset values matter more than ever, and what brokers need to understand to structure deals that actually get done.

If you’re working on SME or private credit deals, this will help you structure them more effectively.

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📩 Get in touch: hermescapital.com.au/contact-page/

Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

Live from Melbourne, this seminar tackles a question that now sits at the centre of every private credit deal: What is the exit strategy?

In today’s market, weak or assumed exits are one of the biggest reasons transactions stall, get repriced, or collapse late in the process.

This session brings together a lender, a valuer, and a restructuring specialist to unpack:

• What makes an exit pathway credible
• Where brokers commonly overestimate refinance options
• The reality of asset recoverability
• When private credit supports a turnaround, and when it simply delays it
• How to avoid equity erosion in stressed situations

For brokers and SME advisers operating in complex funding scenarios, this is a practical, real-world discussion on protecting value in challenging conditions.

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Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

Every broker knows the frustration of the half-bankable client. They’ve got a solid business. They’ve got security. On paper, they should get a “yes”, but one or two hurdles stop the banks in their tracks.

These clients often sit in the grey zone: too strong to be written off, but not quite fitting into traditional credit boxes. In this session, we’ll explore why these cases are on the rise, what they reveal about today’s lending environment, and most importantly, how you can structure deals that work without wasting time.

The session covers legacy issues, dealing with complex financial structures, and the tightening of banking policies post-COVID. The panel also explores alternative financing solutions, the role of private credit, and the importance of maintaining transparent communication between brokers, clients, and lenders. Whether you're a broker or a business owner dealing with financial distress, this episode offers valuable insights on navigating the current financial landscape.

Our Panel

Nick Samios, Director, Hermes Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksamios/

Chris Slack, Director, The Finance Consultancy https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-slack-77811a62/

Daniella Mancuso Director, Salt Partners https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellamancuso/

Martie Tziotis, Director Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy, Ernest & Young https://www.linkedin.com/in/martie-tziotis-a22b3b65/

📌 Want more insights on SME finance and funding?

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👔 Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicksamios/

📰 Read our blog: hermescapital.com.au/news-articles/

📩 Get in touch: hermescapital.com.au/contact-page/

Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

 

In this session, our expert panel unpacks the realities of doing business in Victoria against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. The discussion covers how brokers and business owners can navigate the state’s unique financial landscape, the critical role of professional advisors, opportunities around grants and funding, and the importance of strategic planning for businesses under pressure.

Key themes include Victoria’s state-specific economic conditions, workforce mobility challenges, and the ripple effects of major infrastructure projects. Whether you’re a commercial finance broker or a business leader, you’ll gain practical insights into spotting opportunities, managing risks, and supporting clients through complex times.

Panelists:

• Nick Samios – Director, Hermes Capital (Host & Facilitator)
• Paul Thompson – Managing Director, Fortitude Debt Advisory, 
• Gary Tescher – Managing Partner, Promentor, 
• Matt Murphy – Managing Director, Prime Financial Group, 

📌 Want more insights on SME finance and funding?

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📰 Read our blog: hermescapital.com.au/news-articles/

📩 Get in touch: hermescapital.com.au/contact-page/

Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

From Finder to Fixer: How Brokers Are Becoming the Business World’s Secret Weapon

In this discussion, finance experts explore how the role of brokers has evolved far beyond simply arranging loans. Discover why today’s best brokers are acting as trusted advisors, problem-solvers, and connectors, helping businesses tackle challenges, unlock opportunities, and build stronger financial futures. This seminar was recorded live in Brisbane.

Our panel:

• Nick Samios, Director at Hermes Capital, Host and Facilitator,   / nicksamios  
• Anthony Brittain, Director at Solution Partners Consulting   / anthonywbrittain  
• Cameron Whinnett, Business Recovery Consultant, Thryvv.io   / cameron-whinnett-030a16317  

In this session, we discussed:

• Why the demise of the bank manager has changed the broker’s role

• How to prepare clients for funding in today’s lending environment

• Identifying and fixing the real problems behind funding requests

• The importance of regular reporting and early intervention

• Building a strong network of specialist advisors

• Avoiding the pitfalls of “band-aid” loans

Whether you’re a broker, business owner, or lender, this discussion offers practical strategies for moving beyond transactions and creating long-term value.

Hermes Ledger is produced by Hermes Capital Partners https://hermescapital.com.au/

#BusinessFinance #Brokers #BusinessGrowth #Funding #SmallBusiness