NACFB Funding Future Growth in the South West: Part of Business Finance Week
The NACFB Funding Future Growth in the South West: Part of Business Finance Week is now sold out. If you are interested in attending, please sign up to the waitlist for this event.
Supporting intermediaries across the South West to better enable SME access to finance
The NACFB is hosting this event in collaboration with British Business Bank, as part of Business Finance Week. The campaign features a wide range of events across the UK including in-person sessions and webinars designed to help smaller businesses explore the various finance options available to support their unique needs. Learn more at british-business-bank.co.uk/bfw
Please note: The views expressed by event participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of NACFB or the British Business Bank. Always seek independent, professional advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Join us in Bristol
Does your firm source finance for SME clients in the South West? 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 fourth Funding Future Growth event of 2025, held at Bristol’s Royal Marriott Hotel, could be for you.
The trade body’s Funding Future Growth event in Bristol forms part of the British Business Bank’s Business Finance Week and is delivered in partnership with the NACFB. Open to all interested parties, the event will place a spotlight on the vital role commercial finance intermediaries play in helping SMEs access the funding they need to grow.
While the event carries a regional focus on the Southwest, the broader themes explored – including access to finance, borrower confidence, and the role of brokers – are universal. Both the NACFB and the British Business Bank are aligned in their mission to empower small businesses through greater financial understanding, better funding pathways, and stronger intermediary support.
Spaces are limited to ensure that meaningful connections are made, and brokers are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Booking priority is given to NACFB Member brokers. Please note, this is a broker-only event. Any NACFB lender Patrons interested in attending in a sponsorship capacity are asked to contact the events team.
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 the South West. Here’s what you can expect from the session:
Agenda
10:00 – Registration and networking
Tea and coffee to be served
10:45 – Key address from the NACFB
With Jim Higginbotham
NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham will kick off the session with an update from the NACFB. He will also share insights into our ongoing activities, key focuses, horizon planning and the central topics currently impacting the commercial finance community. Jim will also outline the NACFB partnerships with partners such as the British Business Bank and the Association’s participation in the British Business Bank, Business Finance Week.
10:50 – Compliance and regulation update
With Sarah Cunningham
Sarah Cunningham, the NACFB’s head of compliance, will update the room on current regulations and any further compliance updates affecting brokers and lenders in the room. This provides an opportunity to ask any questions and keep up to date on current affairs.
11:05 – British Business Bank handbook and Finance Finder tool outline
With Ed Tellwright
We will be joined by Ed Tellwright from the British Business Bank who will walk through the co-branded BBB/NACFB broker handbook, with an overview of the practical guide created to help brokers better understand and navigate the full suite of British Business Bank products – equipping them to support SME clients more effectively.
Ed will then be introducing the Finance Finder and ‘SME readiness tool’. A first look at these new digital tools designed to support SME access to finance – highlighting the journey so far and the role NACFB brokers played in shaping their development and deployment.
11:20 – British Business Bank fireside chat
With Jim Higginbotham & Ed Tellwright
Ed will then be joined by NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham, who will be discussing the British Business Bank’s regional impact and exploring the Bank’s current programmes supporting SMEs across the Southwest – including the Southwest Investment Fund.
They will be discussing the broker’s role in improving access, highlighting how commercial finance brokers act as trusted guides for small businesses navigating funding options, and how they can help amplify the reach and effectiveness of BBB-backed initiatives in the region.
They will also explore building borrower confidence through collaboration, discussing how stronger ties between lenders, brokers, and the Bank can help demystify funding routes, improve financial readiness, and ultimately unlock greater SME borrowing appetite across the South West.
11:35 – Panel discussion
Moderated by NACFB Communications Consultant Jenny Barrett
Jenny will be joined by Jon Wilcox from Lloyds Bank, Jack Seymour from Pinnacle Finance and Mike Stevens from Bibby Financial Services. The session will have a regional focus, discussing challenges SMEs have with access to finance and the role of the broker/intermediary in supporting SMEs, as well as how brokers can engage with partners such as the British Business Bank. As part of the session, Jenny will be taking questions for the panellists at the end of the session.
12:00 – Lenders and suppliers
Representatives from selected lender Patrons will also be in attendance. 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. The lenders are particularly keen to find out more about your clients’ funding requirements, so do bring potential deals with you to chat through on the day.
We will be joined by representatives from Arkle Finance, Blackfinch Property, Bridging Finance Solutions, Close Brothers Broker Solutions, Cubefunder, Kuflink, MFS, Redwood Bank, Salboy Capital and YouLend.
12:15 – Lunch and a listening ear
Lunch is served. A further opportunity to network with brokers, panel experts and members of the NACFB team.
13:00 – Event concludes
Speakers
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Jim HigginbothamCEO, NACFBJim Higginbotham, the newly appointed CEO of the NACFB, brings over 30 years of commercial finance expertise to the role. Most recently Group CEO at STAR Asset Finance, Jim led transformative growth, centralised operations, and reinforced risk management. His senior roles at Lombard, Barclays, and GE Capital have given him a broad industry perspective. Jim is dedicated to strengthening NACFB’s support for its Members and Patrons while championing professionalism and high standards across the UK’s commercial finance sector.
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Sarah CunninghamHead of Compliance, NACFB
Sarah Cunningham, Head of Compliance and Assurance at the NACFB, Sarah has worked in Compliance for both lenders and brokers.
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Jon WilcoxHead of Commercial Intermediaries, Lloyds Bank
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Jack SeymourCommercial Finance Director, Pinnacle Business Finance
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Jenny BarrettCommunications Consultant, NACFB
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Ed TellwrightSenior Manager for South West
Ed has an extensive background in supporting businesses looking to raise external finance, having started his working life with an angel network in the South West where Ed was central in supporting businesses to raise over £70m. Following his time there, he moved to Business West to work with early-stage businesses and Start-Up Loans before transitioning to Innovate UK EDGE. With Ed’s extensive network and background, he was the key advisor responsible for supporting highly innovative businesses looking to raise equity and external finance.
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Mike StevensBusiness Development Manager
