NACFB Funding Future Growth – Supporting brokers across South Yorkshire
Brokers, join us for this free event in Sheffield if:
- Your brokerage supports SME clients across South Yorkshire
- You are looking to strengthen your presence in the region
- You’d like to gain a deeper understanding of the economy of the region including the predominant industries and SMEs’ appetite for finance
- You’d like to meet representatives from lenders operating across the region to discuss how they can support your clients’ funding needs
- You’d like to network with your peers and lenders in a convivial setting with lunch provided
To ensure focused and meaningful discussion, places are limited and brokers are encouraged to register early.
Please note, this is a broker-only event. NACFB lender Patrons interested in participating in a sponsorship capacity are invited to contact the events team for further information.
What to expect:
Free for brokers to attend, with lunch and refreshments provided, the event brings together commercial finance intermediaries, lenders, service providers and key national trade bodies to examine growth opportunities for small businesses across South Yorkshire. Here is what you can expect:
Agenda:
10:00 – Registration and networking
Tea and coffee to be served
10:45 – Welcome and opening address
NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham will kick off the session with a concise update on the trade body’s focus and direction in 2026.
10:50 – Economic update and insight
Dan Van Der Schans, Senior Manager & Economist at the British Business Bank, talks on key economic updates and insight’s from this year’s Small Business Finance Report.
11:10 – Fireside chat: Access to finance in the North
NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham, sits down with Julie Cuthbertson, Chief Funding Solutions Officer at WeAreUmi to discuss access to finance in the North.
11:35 – Compliance and Regulation update
Sarah Cunningham, Head of Compliance at the NACFB takes the 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.
11:50 – NACFB Partner session
Sue Mackrill, from the NACFB partner supplier acceptcards, will be presenting to the wider South Yorkshire team regarding how they can help support SME cash flow, enhance client relationships, and create an additional revenue stream for brokers through our partnership.
12:05 – Lunch and a listening ear
Lunch is served. A further opportunity to network with brokers, lenders, panel experts and members of the NACFB team.
13:00 – Event concludes
Can’t make this event? Not to worry, the Funding Future Growth Roadshow will also be visiting Cardiff on 15th April, Cambridge on 12th May, Glasgow on 3rd September, Canterbury on 14th October and London on 2nd December. We hope to see you at one!
Speakers
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Sarah CunninghamHead of Compliance, NACFBSarah Cunningham, Head of Compliance and Assurance at the NACFB, Sarah has worked in Compliance for both lenders and brokers.
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Jim HigginbothamCEO, NACFB
Jim 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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Dan Van Der SchansSenior Manager & Economist, British Business Bank
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Julie CuthbertsonChief Funding Solutions Officer, WeAreUmi
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Sue MackrillCorporate Sales Manager, acceptcards
