Successful launch of Midlands SME finance collaboration at Birmingham expo
A groundbreaking collaboration of Midlands funders was successfully launched at an expo to raise awareness of the finance options available to small to medium-sized enterprises.
Midlands SME Finance, organised by six leading West Midlands finance providers who specialise in lending to businesses unable to secure finance from high street banks and loan companies, hosted more than 120 delegates at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Tuesday (May 20).
The fully-booked event brought together community development financial institutions ART Business Loans, BCRS Business Loans and Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust alongside invoice finance lender FlexABL and community-based lenders UKSE and Frontier Development Capital to showcase their services to local businesses and professional services introducers.
The six finance providers behind Midlands SME Finance all offer debt finance and support through a relationship-based approach, with particular emphasis on supporting economic growth in disadvantaged areas.
The lunchtime expo enabled attendees to speak directly to the partners about the finance opportunities available for businesses struggling to access funds from traditional sources. Attendees were able to network with delegates and enjoy the complimentary lunch.
Keynote speaker Rhys Herbert, Senior Economist at Lloyds, briefed the audience on the financial outlook, including the forecasts for growth and the impact of US tariffs on international trade. The latest Lloyds survey of businesses showed the West Midlands was the second most confident UK nation or region behind only the North East, he said.
Paul Stokes, of FlexABL, said: “The turnout for our launch expo exceeded our expectations and reinforces our belief in the importance of collaboration. By coming together as Midlands SME Finance, we have demonstrated the comprehensive range of funding solutions available to businesses navigating today’s challenging economic landscape.”
Andy Green, Deputy Fund Principal at Frontier Development Capital, said: “We hope the first Midlands SME Finance event has demystified the often complex area of debt funding for many attendees. The sessions allowed us to demonstrate how appropriate financing can transform businesses so the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Steve Grice, Area Manager Midlands for UKSE, added: “We have seen firsthand the appetite for responsible lending options in our region. Edgbaston was a fitting venue for an event to reinforce our collective commitment to fostering economic prosperity across the Midlands through strategic, accessible lending, which we can build upon in the future.”
Steve Walker, CEO of ART Business Loans, commented: “The first Midlands SME Finance event has proven the value of our partnership approach. The enthusiastic response from attendees confirms we are addressing a critical market need by providing clear pathways to funding that many businesses did not previously know existed.”
Stephen Deakin, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans, said: “The success of the expo validates our collaborative approach to providing accessible finance. We hear often from businesses like those attending who are unable to access traditional lending so we look forward to helping them achieve their growth ambitions.”
Sheridan Sulskis, CEO of Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, added: “The enthusiasm we have witnessed confirms what we have long suspected, that there is significant demand for alternative finance options. Businesses wanted to discuss their growth plans and job creation strategies, which is exactly the outcome we were hoping for.”
Following the success of the inaugural event, the Midlands SME Finance partners are discussing plans to hold further information sessions and networking opportunities.
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