Neil Ferguson

Director / Senior Finance Executive

Neil Ferguson is a Finance Executive and Director with Ledge Finance.

He is also the Secretary for the Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA), the country’s peak professional body representing Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers, and the head of their Compliance Subcommittee.

Having worked in the banking and finance industry for 38 years, Neil has extensive experience providing all types of commercial lending solutions, including Equipment Finance, Insurance Premium Funding, Business & Working Capital Solutions, Surety Bonds and Property Finance.

At Ledge, Neil has a broad base of clients across Construction, Civil engineering, mining services, Transport and Agricultural Commodities industries, and a degree of specialisation in the steel fabrication industry with clients across most Australian states, including WA, NSW, SA, QLD, and Tasmania.

As a Finance Executive, Neil formulates financial solutions tailored to our client’s ever-evolving requirements, undertakes comprehensive submissions to secure optimum outcomes, ensures risk mitigation (from the financiers), and provides ongoing support through our clients’ financial life cycles.

Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and grandchildren. Neil is also involved in church life (as part of the Finance Committee), cycling, tennis, occasional artwork, bushwalking, and escaping to the country—particularly the Wheatbelt, where he was brought up on a wheat and sheep farm and later as a “townie” in Narrogin.

Phone

Email

neil@ledge.com.au

linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nferguson1/

Articles by Neil Ferguson

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Australian $1 coin on top of a note.

Australian Dollar Forecast 2026: What Rising AUD Means for Aussie SMEs

As Australian businesses plan for the year ahead, the Australian Dollar forecast for 2026 is an important factor to consider.For businesses exposed to imports, exports or offshore capital flows, movements in the AUD can influence margins, pricing strategy and investment timing. Exchange rate movements influence cash flow, margins, and growth plans – often more than many businesses realise. While currency markets can feel outside your control, understanding the broader Australian dollar forecast can help you make more informed budgeting and funding decisions. With the appreciation of Australian dollar in early 2026, supported by commodity strength, interest rate differentials and shifting...

woman wearing red shirt standing in office with laptop

The new Payday Super rules: is your business ready?

A significant change is coming to how Australian businesses manage superannuation. From 1 July 2026, the introduction of Payday Super will fundamentally change the timing of Superannuation Guarantee (SG) payments, moving from quarterly payments to alignment with your regular payroll cycle. For businesses across Australia, this change will have implications for cash flow management, working capital, and operational planning. The earlier you start preparing, the smoother your transition will be. What Is Payday Super? Payday Super is a federal government reform designed to align superannuation payments with your regular payroll cycles. Instead of the current quarterly payment system, employers will...

grain growing farm hay bails

Succession Planning in Farming: Overcoming Challenges and Securing Your Legacy

For many Western Australian farming families, the farm is more than a business — it’s home, history, and legacy built over generations. Yet Succession Planning in agriculture is rarely straightforward. As we move into a new year, many families begin reflecting on the future of their farming business. Without careful planning, the transition from one generation to the next can bring emotional strain, financial pressure, and operational risk, potentially impacting both family relationships and the long-term viability of the farm. Why Succession Planning Is One of the Biggest Challenges in Agriculture Farming succession is complex because it sits at the...

A security bonds document

Surety Bonds Explained: A Smarter Alternative to Bank Guarantees

Surety Bonds Explained If your business regularly tenders for projects, you’ll know that providing security to demonstrate you can meet your contractual obligations is essential. Traditionally, this has meant tying up cash or property to secure a bank guarantee — locking away valuable resources that could otherwise fuel growth. But there’s another option: surety bonds. Surety bonds provide the same unconditional, on-demand guarantee as a bank guarantee, but without requiring cash collateral or property security. That means you can free up working capital, reduce debt, and confidently tender for larger projects. For businesses with ambitious growth plans, and subject to...

Finance business partners at a desk with laptops and papers discussing working capital solutions

Understanding Working Capital Solutions: Key Strategies to Optimise Cash Flow

Effective working capital management plays a vital role in maintaining liquidity, facilitating day-to-day operations and fostering sustainable growth for your business. By adopting the right working capital solutions, businesses can effectively address cash flow challenges and leverage flexible financial strategies that enhance the efficiency of their available funds. Let’s delve into some strategies you can use to help you boost your cash flow, streamline operations, and bolster your business’s financial health, all while unlocking valuable growth opportunities. What Are Working Capital Solutions? Working capital solutions encompass a variety of financial strategies and tools that help businesses to effectively manage their...

Person using laptop to look at small business finance report

ATO Debt Challenges for Small Businesses

As the festive season approaches, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is raising the heat on small business debt. With the Christmas and New Year period notorious for cashflow strains across various industries, it’s crucial for businesses to ensure they’re not caught off guard. Why the ATO is Cracking Down? The ATO has set its sights on businesses that may be sidestepping their tax obligations, including unpaid taxes and super liabilities. A significant surge in unpaid GST debt and tax arrears has contributed to the doubling of collectable tax debt since 2017 to $50 billion, with over two-thirds of this debt...

Businessman writing Current Assets and Liabilities on a white board

Current Assets & Liabilities – And What This Means for Your Working Capital Liquidity

When it comes to finance and business management, having a good grasp of working capital is vital. Essentially, working capital represents a business’s liquidity and short-term financial health. It comprises two crucial components – current assets and current liabilities. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of current assets and liabilities, their significance in determining your working capital liquidity, and what this means for your business. What are Current Assets? Current assets are assets a business expects to be converted into cash or used up within one year or its operating cycle, whichever is longer. Some common...

shipping containers

Navigating Supply Chain Risks Post-Pandemic

As the business landscape emerges from the throes of the pandemic, the fragility of supply chains remains. In today’s interconnected world, supply chains stretch across borders, encompassing suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and customers worldwide. While this complexity offers numerous advantages, it also exposes organisations to a myriad of risks – from natural disasters and geopolitical tensions, to economic fluctuations and unexpected disruptions. It’s a timely reminder for Australian businesses to continually assess the potential risks of supply chain disruptions. In general, when compared to overseas counterparts, Australian supply chains are not only underprepared but underfunded. This leaves these critical networks...

business man calculating working capital finance required

What is Working Capital? And How Can Working Capital Finance Benefit Your Business?

You may be familiar with the term ‘working capital,’ but what does it really mean, and how can it impact your business’s financial stability? In brief, ‘working capital’ is a financial metric that reflects a company’s operational efficiency and short-term financial health. Sufficient working capital is crucial for any business to maintain operations and grow revenue. However, not every business has the necessary funds available to cover these costs at any point in time – and that’s where working capital finance can prove an effective solution. Let’s delve into the intricacies of working capital and explore the potential benefits and...

Aerial shot of a cargo ship transporting goods.

Understanding the impact sanctions may have on your business

Trade Sanctions / Embargos In light of the Russian / Ukraine conflict, its timely to review and understand the potential impact Sanctions may have on your business. Most of us will have a basic awareness of what sanctions are, and that they can be applied from Australia mirroring UN Security Council Resolutions as well Australia applying its own autonomous sanctions. Who must comply with sanctions? Although each specific Australian sanction regime varies in scope, all are applicable within Australia. Australian sanction laws are enforceable against Australian nationals, whether they are in Australia or overseas. What are the potential penalties and...

Two construction workers pointing towards a construction site.

Construction making up a quarter of insolvencies in Australia

Mitigating risk with Trade Credit Insurance Insolvencies in the Australian construction industry jumped almost 40 percent in the 3 months to December 2021 when compared to the September period, with construction making up about a quarter of insolvencies across Australia. Businesses in the industry are struggling with not only a stretch in supply chains and labour, but also the increase in the cost of materials and wages. In this blog we explore why businesses are struggling and how to mitigate risk of insolvency with trade credit insurance. Causes of insolvency in construction There are a number of reasons construction businesses...

WA economic outlook for 2022

The next 12 months will be a defining period for Western Australia, as the nation’s most isolated state faces significant challenges and looks forward to new opportunities. T The last two years have been challenging across Australia, with COVID-19 wreaking havoc on business finances across the global economy. However, WA’s economic activity and geographical location have provided much-needed insulation, with economic foundations remaining strong as the state emerges into a brave new world. Let’s take a look at the economic outlook for WA in 2022 and answer some of the questions that will define the next 12 months and...

Folder with bar graphs and pie charts and person with pen in hand working on the page.

Payment times reporting scheme

Are you a large business with a turnover of >$100 then you may need to be ready for the first Payment Times Reporting Scheme (PTRS) report which is due for lodgement on 30 September 2021. The Australian Government appointed the Payment Times Reporting Regulator on 1 January 2021, with the PTRS brought in to help create faster and fairer payment times for Australia’s 3.5 million small businesses. What is the Payment Times Reporting Scheme? PTRS is new legislation that requires larger businesses with a turnover >$100 million to report on their supplier’s payment practices related to small business suppliers with...

Four people having an in depth meeting.

2021 Federal budget summary snapshot

The Federal Budget was announced on 11 May 2021. With a lot of information to digest we thought we would simplify this so that small and medium business owners understand how the budget may impact them. Read on for more or download our 2021 Federal Budget Summary one pager here. For small to medium businesses Temporary full expensing measures extended until 30 June 2023 Businesses with a turnover up to $5 billion will be able to deduct the full cost of any eligible asset they purchase for their business in the tax year the asset was purchased. This includes the...

Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

Grants worth billions gifted to WA manufacturers

Many businesses have received grants as part of the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). The aim of the MMI is to help Australian manufacturing businesses collaborate, scale up and commercialise their product offering. In this blog we explore the MMI in more detail, the 3 different MMI funding streams and manufacturers who have received grants via MMI. The $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Fund The Modern Manufacturing Initiative is a key element of the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, with the goal to enable Australian manufacturers to collaborate, integrate, and expand into wider supply chains, whilst creating jobs, and overall...

Outline of workers on a construction site with the sun setting in the background.

WA WHS Act 2020: Changes that all businesses need to know

A small business owner based in Esperance, has recently become the first person in Western Australia to be jailed for gross negligence. Daren Kavanagh, WA WorkSafe commissioner hopes that this will encourage small business owners to start taking workplace safety seriously. As we start to see a change in how gross negligence cases are dealt with, we are bound to see an industrial manslaughter legislation in WA very soon. In this blog we explore this case in more detail, along with the major changes to the Work Health & Safety Act and how businesses can prepare. Gross Negligence Case of...

WA economy forecast: what’s in store for 2021

As we say goodbye to 2020 and start our journey into the new year, we thought we would take some time to review the Western Australian economy, what has been and what’s in store for 2021. WA economic outlook: From uncertainty to resilience Through what has been a very trying year for all, WA has been able to endure the global economic impacts of COVID-19. The states resilience has been aided by our mining production and commodity demand continuing in overseas export markets, with WA’s 2019-20 mineral and petroleum exports coming to a record total value of $173.7 billion....

Supply Chain Finance

Supply Chain Finance: A Timeline of Events

In recent months, various media outlets have shown significant interest in the prolific rise of Supply Chain Finance (SCF) and the impact these facilities have on small businesses. In this article, we will explore a timeline of events which occurred over the past year from; companies being accused of “bullying” smaller contractors, to the views of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell. Supply Chain Finance – The Facility in More Detail Before we start, let’s take a quick look at SCF… SCF, or ‘reverse-factoring’, is a type of working capital facility provided by specialist financiers...

cash flow

Why is cash flow so important for businesses?

When it comes to running a business of any size, managing its cash flow is crucial. So, why is cash flow so important for businesses and how can you ensure you successfully manage it? In this article we will explore: What is cash flow? Why is cash flow so important? How to analyse cash flow How to finance your cash flow What is cash flow? Put simply, cash flow is the money moving/flowing in and out of your business. Cash flows in from customers who purchase goods and services, money from investors, interest on savings or investments, and so on....

Prepare your business for the new year

Now is a great time for businesses to reflect on achievements and challenges they faced over the past year and prepare for what’s ahead. To help you prepare for the new year we have put together a few tasks to add to your to-do-list: Review and create new goals This time of year, is a perfect time to review your short-term goals achieved throughout the year, as well as looking at the challenges or negatives you incurred along the way. It’s important to understand when these challenges took place and what you did to resolve them, to give you the...

Discretionary trusts: Protect your family wealth

When setting up a business, many prospective owners will be advised by their Accountants to operate through a discretionary trust structure as this allows flexibility in income splitting whilst also providing asset protection. Whilst this is a common strategy for family run businesses, it is important to be aware of the complications that may arise. If you are involved in a business structure, which has as part of that structure a discretionary trust, you should be aware of the possible issues relating to the structure of that trust. These could include: 1. Your trust should reflect the succession planning Whether...

Using the PPSA to protect your business

Using the PPSA to Protect your Business Many businesses believe the PPSA to be an onerous obligation, only relevant if you hire out equipment, completely missing the very significant benefits the PPSA provides for any business selling goods on credit. One of its principal goals is to help protect you from the insolvency of your customers. It doesn’t matter what you sell, the PPSA is here to help you. A simple rule of thumb – if you have retention of title (ROT) in your terms of trade you should be complying with the PPSA. If you don’t, you should now...

Surety Bonds

If you are a contractor, you will often be required to provide a Surety Bond or Guarantee to your client/principal as security against your default or non-performance. So, what exactly are Bonds and Guarantees and how can they be arranged? Surety Bonds are a form of security issued by a Surety (an insurer or specialist bond provider) in favour of your client (Beneficiary/Principal) to guarantee that you (the Contractor) will meet the requirements of the contract. They are commonly known as Performance Bonds. A Surety Bond is much like a Bank Guarantee, both being unconditional and on demand. The difference...

Ledge Finance & ICON Engineering on Insurance Premium Funding

ATO payment plans

ATO payment plans Anyone in business would agree that with the current economic climate, many business owners/ managers are suffering from a never-ending headache, trying to manage their cash flows. Having tight debtor collection policies in place is a fantastic way to start, however unless you have solid cash reserves, you may find yourself juggling payments to your creditors at times. In these circumstances, we see many business owners enter into payment plans for their tax obligations with the ATO (Australian Tax Office). Is this a good idea? Firstly, the benefits of using the ATO as your banker: It is...

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