All aboard for Better Business Finance
A new initiative to help small and medium sized firms access the finance they need to help grow their businesses came on stream today [Tuesday 15 March 2011] when some of the UK’s biggest high street banks began a nationwide programme of outreach events in Sheffield.
As part of the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield banks involved in the Business Finance Taskforce met local businesses and took part in a series of workshops and a panel discussion aimed at signposting how best to go about funding business growth.
BBA Chief Executive Angela Knight said:
“Business and enterprise are at the heart of the UK economy and banks are ready to play their full part in supporting our customers. Today we are starting our programme of regional roadshows here in Sheffield so we can get out to meet businesses and help begin to break down barriers they have found in accessing finance for growth.
“Money is there for viable businesses and we want to work with business organisations and firms to ensure they are able to access the funds they need.
“The UK is a large international centre for banking and this creates many jobs and contributes much in taxes. We now need to work together to get the economic recovery going and a strong banking sector is essential to underpin the great manufacturing industry across the country such as in my home city of Sheffield.”
The Sheffield outreach event has been arranged with Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield, the Master Cutler and the local Chamber of Commerce. All the events are being arranged in partnership with business organisations.
Treasury Minister Lord Sassoon also spoke at the event. A copy of his speech can be found here.
Notes for Editors
1. The Business Finance Taskforce set out its commitments to business last October and the full report can be accessed at http://www.bba.org.uk/taskforce
2. The Business Finance Taskforce commitments can be found at: http://www.bba.org.uk/downloads/bba/Taskforce_-_aims.pdf
3. Further information about the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield is at: http://www.globalmanufacturingfestival.com/
4. Further roadshows will be held around the country. Up to date information on future events can be found at: http://www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk/events