Silverstone Technology Cluster's "Ask the Expert"

Welcome to "Ask The Expert". In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape.In this episode, Paula Carter and Patrick Faughnan from theTC Group Corporate Finance team share practical insights into value creation, exits and succession in today’s uncertain market. They discuss what drives premium business valuations, how SME owners can strengthen their position even without an imminent sale, and why deals continue despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Meet Our Experts:Paula Carter is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate FinanceDirector at TC Group, with over 25 years’ experience spanning professional services and industry. Having trained with a Top 5 accountancy firm, she has advised SMEs across a wide range of sectors, as well as providing consultancy support to large multinational organisations.Since returning to professional services in 2020,Paula particularly enjoys working closely with SME business owners and leadership teams, supporting growth, financing and succession plans to help turn long‑term ambitions into reality. She is known for her pragmatic, client‑focusedand highly responsive approach to dealmaking.Alongside her advisory work, Paula has a strong interest inpeople and diversity. She is particularly passionate about mentorship and is keen to create opportunities for female business owners to connect, collaborate and support one another as they grow their businesses.Outside of work, Paula's a keen runner and enjoys spendingtime with her children and friends.paulacarter@tc-group.com Patrick Faughnan is Partner and Head of Corporate Finance atTC Group, where he works closely with owner‑managed businesses to support growth and succession plans. His work spans mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, valuations and exit planning — always with a clear focus onachieving the right outcome for clients.Patrick’s proud to lead TC’s dedicated Corporate Financeteam, which was named ‘Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year’ at the Insider Central & East of England Dealmakers Awards in 2023. He was also recognised individually as 'Dealmaker of the Year' in 2025 — one of the mostsought‑after titles in the sector. For Patrick, these awards reflect the collective effort of the wider team and the strong results they’ve delivered for clients in recent years.A chartered accountant by background, Patrick’s also atrustee and mentor, supporting the development of businesses and individuals beyond formal advisory work. Outside of the corporate finance world, he is married and a father of two daughters — and when time (and the weather) permits, he enjoys dusting off the golf clubs!patrickfaughnan@tc-group.comThis episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TCGroup⁠⁠. TC Group’s an Accountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm ofbusiness advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice and strategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than the standard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. We offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialist business growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. Recorded and produced by The Pod Collective.

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape.In this episode of , we’re joined by Etienne Dodane, aerospace innovator and founder of Drone Applications Ltd, to explore the rapidly evolving world of drones — and why what we see today is only the tip of the iceberg. Etienne reveals the unseen layers of this transformative industry and its limitless potential across air, land, and sea. We they discuss how drones are reshaping sectors from defence to healthcare, and why public perception still lags behind reality. Discover the commercial opportunities, technological challenges, and the next frontiers in autonomous robotics. Meet our Expert: After an early career as a military and commercial pilot, Etienne transitioned into aerospace and automotive plastic engineering, later complementing his technical expertise with an MBA, DBA, and training in law and project management. He has led transformation projects for SMEs and global organisations, driving M&A, pioneering innovations in robotics and plastics, and championing sustainable, high-speed manufacturing solutions worldwide.Etienne has held key roles including Executive Board Director at the SMMT, Chairman of the UK Logistics Forum, member of the UK Automotive Council, and Champion for Future Mobility at the Silverstone Technology Cluster. Today, he has returned to his aviation roots as founder of Drone Applications Ltd, specialising in UAV research, multispectral and thermographic analysis, and advanced payload integration to boost safety and productivity across industry.This episode is brought to you by Cottons Group. Established as one of the UK’s leading independent accountancy firms, Cottons Group supports businesses of all sizes with expert financial advice, audit, tax, and business consultancy services. With a strong focus on building lasting client relationships, their team combines technical excellence with practical insight to help organisations grow with confidence. From start-ups to established enterprises, Cottons Group delivers tailored solutions designed to optimise performance, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities. By partnering closely with their clients, they empower businesses to make informed decisions, drive efficiency, and achieve sustainable success in an ever-changing marketplace.Recorded and produced by The Pod Collective.

Welcome to "Ask The Expert", Silverstone Technology Cluster’s podcast. In each episode, we invite seasoned professionals and industry leaders to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complexities of modern business and the advanced engineering landscape.In this episode, we’re joined by Bruce Keir and KatieWaddy from TC Group.With new employment legislation on the horizon, manybusiness owners are feeling anxious about the potential impact. Bruce and Katie help cut through the noise, tackling common concerns and misconceptions while offering practical advice for employers.Whether you’re worried about increased admin, unsure how to update policies, or simply want to get ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with insights to help employers navigate legislative change with confidence.Meet our experts:Bruce Keir:Bruce leads TC Group’s HR Client Advisory services forbusinesses across the Midlands and North, supporting clients of all sizes in getting the very best from their people. A highly accomplished HR professional, Bruce holds a Level 7Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management and brings hands-on experience across the full employee life cycle. Bruce is motivated by continuous learning, making a positiveimpact, and building strong, collaborative relationships. Whether he’s shaping high-level HR strategy or tackling people challenges on the ground, Bruce brings clarity, confidence, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping businesses, and their people, thrive. In his own time, you'll find Bruce spending time with hiswife and three young children and watching or taking part inas much sport as possible. He also serves as TC’s resident quizmaster. Katie Waddy:With over nine years’ experience in HR, Katie has built her career from the ground up, gaining practical insight at every level and a strong understanding of what helps businesses and their people succeed.She’s worked with both SMEs and large organisations,delivering HR projects and overseeing the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to performance, engagement, retention, and exit. Her approach to the client experience is very much rooted in integrity, collaboration, and approachability.Whether a company manages HR independently or has anin-house team, Katie brings clarity, perspective, and renewed energy to their people strategies. From handling sensitive employee relations cases to embedding cultures of recognition and trust, she builds relationships that havea lasting impact.Katie’s especially passionate about wellbeing and buildinghigh-performing cultures where people feel supported, valued, and empowered. Above all, she thrives on helping businesses get the best out of their people,aligning individual potential with organisational and commercial goals.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠TC Group⁠⁠. TC Group’s anAccountancy Age ‘Top 20’ firm of business advisors and accountants, providing quality financial advice andstrategy, enabling you to achieve your business growth goals, safeguard your wealth, and maximise your tax efficiency. Our teams’ experience and expertise mean we understand the challenges and opportunities you face at a local, national, and even international level. We’ll invest time in getting to know you so we can provide proactive and tailored advice, supporting you in making the right decisions both now and in the future. We pride ourselves on offering more than thestandard compliance services and straight-forward number crunching. Through our UK-wide network, we offer a multitude of functional accountancy and specialistbusiness growth services along with personal financial solutions and legal advice, providing our clients with a unified “one-stop-shop” approach, saving you both time and money. With TC Group by your side, no matter how complex yourfinancial situation may be, we have the resources and expertise to help you navigate it successfully.