NACFB Funding Future Growth – Supporting brokers across Yorkshire
Join us in Leeds
Does your firm finance clients in Yorkshire? Or are you looking to expand your brokerage’s reach in the region? Whether you’re an experienced operator or just seeking to learn more, the NACFB’s third Funding Future Growth event at the Park Plaza hotel, Leeds could be for you.
What to expect…
Free for brokers to attend, including lunch and refreshments, the event brings together commercial intermediaries, lenders, suppliers and leading national trade bodies to explore growth opportunities for small businesses throughout Yorkshire. Here’s what you can expect from the session:
Agenda
10:00 – Registration & networking
Tea & coffee to be served
10:50 – Welcome & NACFB Survey insights
With Norman Chambers
In 2023 NACFB Member brokers facilitated £38 billion in lending to SMEs across the UK – a fall of 16% compared to the year before. What does this mean for brokers and their clients, including those in Yorkshire, and where is the market heading in 2024 and beyond? NACFB managing director, Norman Chambers, shares key insights from the largest survey in the intermediary-led commercial finance sector.
11:00 – Expert panel session and Q&A
Norman will host a small panel of experts who will share regional insights on both the challenges and opportunities for small businesses in Yorkshire, and the finance they need to survive and thrive.
Specifically, you’ll hear from Cat Smith of The British Business Bank, as well as Ian Coulson from HSBC, Jonathon Rostron from Funding Friends and Richard Crossland from Premium Credit. Crucial to sourcing appropriate funding solutions, brokers will be encouraged to participate, so come armed with questions!
11:30 – NACFB Partner: Red Flag Alert
Presentation by Richard West, managing director at Red Flag Alert.
11:45 – Meet the lenders
Representatives from lender Patrons including NatWest, Allica Bank, Cambridge & Counties, Lloyds Bank, Momenta Finance, Premium Credit, Roma Finance, Shawbrook, Time Finance, YBS Commercial Mortgages will be attending. Chosen for the value they add to the modern commercial finance broker, there will be plenty of time to meet and learn about their offerings.
12:00 – Lunch & a listening ear
Lunch is served. A member of the NACFB team will be on hand to help with any regulatory issues you may have. They can also walk you through the latest FCA developments and directives affecting commercial finance brokers.
13:00 – Close
Speakers
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Cat SmithSenior ManagerRepresenting the British Business Bank across Yorkshire and Humber, Cat works closely with funding delivery partners, innovation specialists and business support organisations across the SME finance ecosystem to improve access to financial support for small businesses.
Cat has previously worked for West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where she was innovation growth manager, and has over 10 years’ experience across Yorkshire and the Humber supporting businesses to upskill, access finance and develop innovation and strategic partnerships.
Her experience has spanned senior roles at Calderdale College, Construction Industry Training Board and Combined Authority, supporting the growth of a diverse range of businesses and sectors.
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Ian CoulsonHead of Commercial Brokerage, HSBCA graduate of the University of Leicester, Ian has carried out a range of both client-facing and leadership roles over a 21 year career with HSBC. As the architect of HSBCs Commercial Broker proposition, Ian is passionate about developing teams and building mutually beneficial relationships that enable the generation of wealth and growth of the UK economy.
Originally form the North East, Ian lives in Warwickshire, is married with three children and enjoys fell walking and travelling (sometimes at the same time).
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Jonathon RostronDirectorJonathan worked in banking for over 18 years, holding senior positions in both “High Street” and “Challenger” banks.
In 2020 Jonathan co-founded Funding Friends, a successful business finance brokerage operating on a national basis. -
Norman ChambersManaging Director, NACFBNorman Chambers is the managing director of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB), the largest independent trade body for intermediaries in the UK commercial finance industry. Joining in 2014, he has been instrumental in the Association’s strategic growth. Adopting a progresssive approach, his work is underpinned by his commitment and drive to support Member brokers, increasing engagement with Patron lenders and Partner service providers, alongside lobbying government bodies on behalf of the commercial finance community, skilfully supported by a non-executive board.
Before joining the NACFB, Norman spent 30 years in the banking sector working for leading financial institutions including NatWest and RBS.
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Richard CrosslandHead of Credit Brokers -
Richard WestManaging Director, Red Flag AlertRichard West is the Managing Director of Red Flag Alert. A UK leader in business data intelligence and analytics for predicting early warning signs of financial distress, insolvency and growth both domestically and internationally. The company has a strong focus on innovating how business data is delivered to businesses to make it both effective and actionable.
Red Flag Alert also offer intuitive global compliance and monitoring software that have been designed to fit seamlessly into process and not present an impediment to doing business. They recently secured £4.5 million in Series A investment, led by Foresight, and are strongly focused on growth; aiming to become the UK’s leading provider of business data intelligence and analytics to predict growth, global compliance risk and insolvency by 2025.
Richard joined the business in 2013 and has 15 years of experience in sales leadership, across three continents and has generated over £20,000,000 in recurring revenue.
