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Business visions need to adapt, says Sandbrook

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As a trailblazer in both the UK and US markets, Claire Sandbrook, CEO of international business consultancy firm, Shergroup and a thought leader, has witnessed first-hand the dynamic shifts that politics can bring to the world of business and enforcement.   But with Labour’s Autumn Budget in the UK and the change of President in the US creating two distinct landscapes, we ask Claire, 'What does this mean for Shergroup’s business vision?'

“In the UK, the Labour budget has introduced a renewed focus on social welfare, infrastructure, and public spending.  While these policies aim to stimulate economic growth and protect vulnerable populations, they also bring about changes in taxation and government priorities as well as impacting on private landlords which seems at odds with the need for more accessible housing stock.

At Shergroup, I oversee enforcement services that support the fair execution of court orders.  This shift presents both opportunities and challenges.  The increase in public spending could mean greater demand for Shergroup’s compliance and enforcement services, especially as local authorities may prioritize debt collection and enforcement as a means of bolstering public funds.  That said, I am not a keen supporter of the use of High Court enforcement for routine local authority debt collection.  

First, I believe that the fees earned from these operations should be fed back into local authority coffers.  Secondly, I believe that High Court enforcement does have a role to play in the enforcement of possession orders and the collection of rent arrears where this is possible – and we have certainly seen an uptick in this type of business at Shergroup over 2024 – but the civil courts remain slow to process routine paperwork, and this needs to resolved by His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service as access to justice for private landlords is being denied.  There needs to be a smooth and uncomplicated transfer of possession orders to the High for enforcement, but the Government has been stalling on this since an inadvertent rule change in October 2001.

Across the pond, the new US President brings a fresh set of policies focused on economic recovery, international relations, and infrastructure investment.  With Shergroup’s expansion into the US market, I am keenly aware of how these changes may affect my business operations.  The President’s commitment to strengthening the economy and supporting small businesses aligns with my own vision for Shergroup’s growth in the US.  Additionally, any regulatory changes in security and enforcement practices could open doors for Shergroup’s security division, as well as our consultancy services.

In both nations, it’s important to remain resilient and adaptable, and leverage deep industry knowledge and strategic foresight when navigating political shifts.  Change is a constant – and with each shift, I look to position Shergroup to move forward, no matter the economic climate.”