NACFB Funding Future Growth – Supporting brokers across Wales
Brokers, join us for this free event in Cardiff if:
- Your brokerage supports SME clients across Wales
- 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 Wales. Here is what you can expect:
Agenda:
09:30 – Somo sponsored breakfast and networking
Morning networking will now feature an enhanced breakfast experience, generously sponsored by NACFB Patron Somo. An added opportunity to network with Somo representatives, the extended breakfast and networking session will give delegates more time to connect with fellow brokers and meet with lenders about their latest offerings.
10:30- Welcome and opening address
NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham will kick off the session with an overview of the event and to welcome all Brokers and Lenders to the event.
10:35 – Keynote speech from our Breakfast sponsor Somo
10:40 – Federation of Small Businesses – Access to Finance in Wales
An overview of the SME economic landscape, highlighting current challenges, barriers to accessing finance, limited awareness of funding options, and the critical role of advice in securing successful applications by Rob Basini (Development Manager) and Felix Milbank (Deputy Head of Policy) from the Federation of Small Businesses.
11:00 – A conversation with The Development Bank of Wales and Cornerstone Finance
Kieran Jones, Head of Comms and Advocacy at the NACFB, is joined by Bethan Cousins from Development Bank of Wales – New Business Director and Haydn Thomas from Cornerstone Finance – Chief Executive Officer to discuss access to finance in Wales.
11:25 – 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.
11:45 – Doc2, NACFB Partner Presentation
Delegates will gain insight from Josh Harris, CEO and founder of NACFB Partner Doc2.
12:00 – Lenders and suppliers
Representatives from Affirmative Finance, Allica Bank, Blackfinch Property, Castle Trust Bank, Devon and Cornwall Securities, SMS (formerly Horizon Energy Ventures), MS Lending Group, Proplend, Signature Property Finance, StreamBank, and West One Loans will 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.
12:15 – 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 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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Haydn ThomasChief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Finance Group -
Bethan CousinsNew Business Director, Development Bank of Wales
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Kieran JonesHead of Communications & Advocacy, NACFB
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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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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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Josh HarrisCEO and Founder, Doc2
Josh Harris, CEO and founder of Doc2, is dedicated to streamlining document workflows for finance businesses. A Chartered Accountant who trained at EY, he experienced firsthand the inefficiencies in document processes. This led him to launch Doc2 in 2019, making document generation, issuance, and signing seamless.
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Felix MilbankDeputy Head of Policy, Federation of Small Businesses
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Rob BasiniDevelopment Manager, Federation of Small Businesses
