Sectors

Business and professional services refers to a broad category of activities provided by organisations to support the operations and growth of businesses across various industries. These services encompass a wide range of specialised skills, knowledge, and expertise. Business services primarily focus on assisting businesses in managing their operations efficiently and effectively. They include activities such as management consulting, advertising and marketing, IT support, software development, and data analytics. These services are crucial for businesses to improve their performance, make informed decisions, comply with regulations, and achieve their strategic objectives. Professional services are specialised expertise-based services provided by professionals with specific qualifications, knowledge, and experience. These services are often delivered by individuals or firms operating in fields such as law, accounting, architecture, engineering, consulting, financial advisory, healthcare, technology, design, and creative services. Professionals in these fields offer expert advice, analysis, design, planning, and implementation to help clients solve complex problems, meet regulatory requirements, develop strategies, and achieve desired outcomes. Our experts have significant experience guiding and supporting businesses through challenging times and have carried out numerous successful assignments in these sectors, see our services.

Energy and natural resources encompass the exploration, extraction, production, and utilisation of various forms of energy and natural commodities. This sector is critical for meeting the global demand for energy, as well as for accessing and managing valuable resources. In the context of the energy and natural resources sector, energy is typically classified into various categories. These include non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas used for electricity generation, heating, transportation, and industrial processes. Renewable energy sources are derived from naturally replenished resources and have a lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuels. Examples include solar power, wind energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, and biomass. Nuclear, whilst a highly efficient source of electricity, presents unique challenges related to safety, waste disposal, and non-proliferation. Natural resources are materials or substances found in the environment that have economic value and can be categorised into valuable substances such as iron ore, copper, gold, silver, diamonds, and various industrial minerals. These resources are essential for manufacturing, construction, and various industrial processes. The energy and natural resources sector faces challenges related to sustainability, environmental impact, climate change, and the need for efficient resource management. The development and adoption of clean and renewable energy sources, responsible extraction practices, and sustainable resource management are crucial for the long-term viability of this sector. We can help clients navigate the complexities of this sector both in the UK and overseas. Cork Gully has worked on numerous mining, oil and gas and renewable energy projects.

Life sciences includes several interconnected disciplines, such as biotechnology to develop products, processes, and technologies that benefit health, agriculture, and the environment. It involves genetic engineering, biochemistry, recombinant technology, and the manipulation of organic matter to produce medicines, vaccines, genetically modified crops, and renewable energy sources. We have worked with pharma companies who focus on the effects of drugs and chemicals, including their therapeutic uses, and potential side effects in the development of new drugs and treatments for diseases. Cork Gully’s specialist team have worked across the subfields of pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and bio-technology from complex wind down planning to formal appointments, references are available upon request.

The manufacturing sector is a crucial part of the economy, responsible for producing a wide range of goods that are used in various industries and for consumer consumption. Manufacturing encompasses diverse activities, including designing, engineering, assembling, fabricating, and packaging, to create products that meet specific requirements and standards. The manufacturing process typically involves several stages, such as procurement of raw materials, quality control, production planning, assembly or fabrication, testing and inspection, packaging, and distribution. It may utilise specialised machinery, tools, and equipment, as well as employ skilled labour and technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective production. Manufacturing can be categorised into different types based on the nature of the products and processes involved such as the production of distinct, individual items with identifiable units through to continuous or batch processes, or the creation of unique, made-to-order products based on specific customer requirements. This type of manufacturing often involves customisation, personalisation, and flexible production processes. Mass production refers to the large-scale production of standardised goods using assembly line or automation techniques and aims to achieve high volumes of output at lower costs. Cork Gully has advised clients across the sector and in multiple jurisdictions providing expert advice to those businesses confronted with financially challenging market conditions working with clients to formulate restructuring and recovery strategies to ensure they are in the best possible position to address a rapidly changing environment.

Real estate and construction are two closely related sectors that deal with the development, management, and utilisation of properties and buildings. Real estate focuses on the ownership, purchase, sale, and leasing of land and properties. While construction involves the physical creation, renovation, or modification of structures. Key components of the real estate sector include commercial and residential real estate. Industrial real estate focuses on properties used for manufacturing, production, storage, and distribution activities, such as factories, distribution, and logistics hubs while real estate also serves as an investment asset class, attracting investors who purchase properties to generate rental income or profit from property value appreciation. Construction refers to the process of building, erecting, or assembling structures, including buildings, infrastructure, and facilities. It involves various activities, such as planning, design, engineering, procurement of materials, construction management, and project execution. The real estate and construction sectors are interconnected, as real estate development often involves construction activities, and the availability and quality of real estate properties significantly impacts the construction industry's demand. Cork Gully can help you manage your lenders or assist lenders with a distressed portfolio and if needed provide a strategic review of the options available for both real estate and construction.

The technology sector refers to a broad category of companies and organisations involved in the development, manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance of technological products, services, and innovations. It encompasses a wide range of industries and sub-sectors that focus on the creation and application of technology to solve problems and improve processes. The technology sector is characterised by its rapid pace of innovation, disruptive potential, and its ability to shape and transform industries. It encompasses diverse areas, including hardware, software, internet and web services, telecommunication, semiconductor and electronics, artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as cybersecurity. Cork Gully is highly experienced in providing support to pre-revenue businesses in the technology sector struggling to obtain internal or external funding as well as more established businesses, see our Services.

Fintech has revolutionised banking and financial services by introducing online and mobile banking platforms. These platforms allow customers to perform various banking activities. Fintech has also led to the emergence of digital-only banks, which operate entirely online without physical branches. The lending landscape has been transformed by enabling faster and more accessible lending processes. Online lending platforms, often referred to as peer-to-peer lending or marketplace lending platforms, connect borrowers directly with investors or lenders, bypassing traditional financial institutions. Fintech has also facilitated the development of alternative credit scoring models that leverage non-traditional data sources to assess creditworthiness, expanding access to credit for underserved markets. It has introduced various digital payment solutions that have made transactions more efficient and convenient and provided access to online investment platforms leveraging algorithms and automation to offer personalised investment advice and portfolio management services. Digital platforms also offer online insurance purchasing, claims processing, and policy management. Fintech has also transformed wealth management by offering digital wealth management platforms. These platforms provide automated investment management services and financial planning based on algorithms and user inputs. However, regulatory oversight is putting many of these businesses under increasing pressure. Cork Gully can help prepare and implement a tailored wind down plan should this be necessary. Alternatively, we can assist by transferring the business to a regulated platform here or overseas.

We can provide services to the banking sector, particularly overseas bank that provide financial services in the UK. Banking activities may include deposit-taking, lending, and investing, as well as other financial services such as insurance, wealth management, and securities trading. The banking sector is heavily regulated by governments and central banks to ensure the safety and stability of the financial system. Banks are subject to strict regulations regarding their capital requirements, liquidity ratios, and risk management practices to minimise the risk of financial crises and protect depositors' funds. Cork Gully has advised banks and financial institutions on winding down, in particular overseas banks and brokers based in the UK.

The hotel and restaurant sector plays a vital role in the hospitality industry and tourism sector, as it caters to the needs of travellers, tourists, and local customers seeking accommodation and dining experiences. It involves a range of services, including accommodation, food and beverage, event hosting, and entertainment, all aimed at providing convenience to guests and customers. With reduced visibility on future consumer demand comes increased risk and uncertainty, we have helped numerous clients mitigate these factors from simple profit enhancement and cost reduction techniques to in-depth contingency planning should matters deteriorate.

Communications and media refer to the processes and systems used to convey information, ideas, and messages to a wide audience through various channels and platforms. It encompasses the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of content for the purpose of communication, entertainment, and information dissemination.In the context of the communications industry, it refers to the activities and methods used to effectively convey messages to targeted audiences, both within and across organisations. Media refers to the platforms, tools, and channels through which information and content are created, produced, distributed, and consumed. It includes traditional forms of media, such as print (newspapers, magazines), broadcast (television, radio), and cinema, as well as digital media, including the internet, social media, streaming platforms, podcasts, and mobile applications. Cork Gully has advised numerous clients on how to reshape their businesses amid difficult and challenging market conditions in this sector which can be in constant flux.

The retail sector focuses on selling goods directly to individual consumers for personal use or consumption. Retailers typically operate stores, online platforms, or a combination of both. They provide a wide range of products across various categories, catering to different customer needs and preferences. Retailers often differentiate themselves through factors like product selection, pricing, customer service, and overall shopping experience. The retail sector can be further categorised based on the type of products or services offered such as general merchandise retailers, speciality retailers and e-commerce retailers The wholesale sector involves the sale of goods in bulk to businesses rather than individual consumers. Wholesalers act as intermediaries between manufacturers or producers and retailers. They purchase goods in large quantities from manufacturers and sell them in smaller quantities to retailers, professional buyers, or other businesses. Wholesalers provide several key functions such as bulk purchasing, warehousing and distribution, logistics and supply chain management. Wholesalers often provide credit and financing options to retailers, allowing them to purchase goods on credit and manage their cash flow effectively. Cork Gully can provide proactive and responsive advice to help address tough market conditions including the sale and wind down of retail units as well as restructuring plans.

The transportation and logistics sector involves the movement, storage, management of goods, materials, and people from one location to another. It plays a crucial role in facilitating trade, commerce, and supply chains through road, rail, air, sea and pipeline transportation. Logistics encompasses the planning, coordination, and management of various activities involved in the movement and storage of goods. Key components of logistics include supply chain management, warehousing and storage, inventory management, freight forwarding and just in time delivery. Cork Gully has operated ports, advised shipping companies and managed pipelines. The firm has also advised road haulage companies, rail and freight operators. It has wound down the European operations of a large aircraft leasing company.