Vantage Performance develops turnaround module for students
The University of Queensland has teamed up with turnaround consultancy Vantage Performance to add a Turnaround Management module to one of its bachelor programmes.
With the aim to further boost the job-relevant skills of its students, the University of Queensland has added a module focused on turnaround and financial restructuring to its ‘Advanced Finance and Economics’ bachelor curriculum.
Michael Fingland, the CEO of Vantage Performance said the skills taught in the module will make a big difference to students’ outlook on the business landscape. The news comes at a time when Australia’s economy is forecast to fall into recession, with financial distress set to rise further in the coming period.
The module walks students through the full life cycle of the turnaround process, from early intervention and crisis management through to financial engineering and restructuring. Key elements supporting the process are also part of the module, such as employee and stakeholder management, cross-function collaboration for working capital optimisation, and change management.
“Students will learn financial modelling skills to apply to underperforming businesses, a crucial skill required in any economy but particularly given the growing number of Australian businesses financial distress,” explained Fingland.
Kevin Higgins, Executive Director at Vantage Performance, said the module draws on the firm’s nearly two-decades of experience in the development and implementation of financial restructuring, corporate turnaround and refinancing strategies.
With offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, Vantage Performance is one of Australia’s leading turnaround consultancies. Since its inception, the consulting firm has completed more than 215 turnaround engagements with a success rate of 85%, saving more than 23,400 jobs.
“Vantage Performance aims to lead the charge in its support of upskilling the next generation of business professionals to ensure they are graduate job ready,” commented Higgins.
