Lender plans year of investment to support West Midlands business growth

West Midlands businesses remain optimistic and ready to grow, says social impact lender UKSE as they plan to deliver investment for companies looking to expand in 2025.

UKSE Midlands area manager Steve Grice and regional executive Mike Lowe are engaging with local companies about their plans to grow and increase employment opportunities on the back of supporting a range of companies since the West Midlands office opened last year.

Providing strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1m to generate growth, create jobs and bolster the economy, UKSE’s team based in Keys Business Village, Cannock, supports SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford.

The most recent figures show that since the team was established in 2023, UKSE West Midlands has provided £1.87m to local companies via a mixture of debt and equity, creating 96 jobs.

UKSE supports the local economy by making equity investments, ensuring management stays in control of the business and offers a flexible exit policy.

Unsecured loans are also available, often without the need for personal guarantees.

The lender has operated nationally since 1975, with Steve and Mike in place since 2023 to deliver investment in the West Midlands for added focus in the region.

Steve said: “Despite all the challenges faced by West Midlands businesses, we are noticing that local companies are bucking the trend and demonstrating resilience in the face of bad news.

“Companies have been used to the economy being uncertain over the past years, but many are now looking forward to increased stability with firms in sectors including manufacturing and tech looking for positive support.

“We are keen to engage with businesses to deliver on the UKSE mission of enabling businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper.”

Mike said: “We are out speaking with businesses across the region every week, as well as their advisers, so we know there are companies ready to grow and create job opportunities in 2025.

“Each company will have its own specific needs, so we work to ensure we deliver a funding package which is tailored to their ambitions.”

UKSE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel UK Limited with a mission to enable and encourage businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper, within communities affected by current or historic changes in the steel industry and its jobs.

UKSE provides investment in scenarios including the purchase of new equipment, business acquisitions, expansions and management buyouts.

Since 1975, UKSE has invested over £115m, helping 8,000 businesses and stimulating the creation of 83,000 new jobs.

Pictured: Mike Lowe and Steve Grice