Intangible Business, the world's largest independent brand valuation consultancy, and GoIndustry, the global leader in hard asset valuations and auction sales, have created a new strategic partnership to provide the world's first integrated tangible and intangible asset valuation service.

Intangible assets, such as brands, patents, know-how and customer relationships, account for a significant portion of business value and are increasingly incorporated into business systems. This partnership will enable the intangible assets to be valued alongside hard assets, such as inventory, plant & machinery and property, as well as liabilities such as pensions, for the first time.

Launching on 19 April 2007 at the Business Money All-Asset Finance Conference, the new service will enable banks to securitise intangible assets alongside traditional assets, increasing their lending ability. The strategic partnership will also provide businesses with the opportunity to value both asset categories together, giving them access to more capital and lower interest rates. The new partnership will be led by Tim Chapman, Head of Lending & Advisory Services at GoIndustry, and Stuart Whitwell, Joint Managing Director of Intangible Business.

Tim Chapman says: "M&A activity is still extremely buoyant. Now, for the first time under one roof, banks, private equity and business can value all assets and liabilities on the balance sheet - tangible and intangible. Intangible assets is the fastest growing asset lending category in the US. This partnership will be at the forefront of this trend now coming to Europe."

Stuart Whitwell says: "Intangible assets are traditionally ignored as part of a refinancing package. What is now being understood is the pivotal role they play in binding all the assets together. After all, what use is the Coca-Cola factory, machinery and liquid without its brand? Together, we can now value all these assets. This is a big deal for corporate Britain."

Brian Gitlin, Managing Director of Burdale Financial, a UK leader in comprehensive asset based lending and part of the Bank of Ireland Group, says: "As asset based lending transaction sizes grow brands become more important and it's essential to understand their dynamics and what they are worth"

Alex Dell, DLA Piper, the 6th largest legal services organization in the UK, says: "This new initiative will encourage, and no doubt lead to major developments across the bank lending and corporate financing industries. I wholeheartedly support the movement and look forward to working alongside Intangible Business and GoIndustry in the near future."