UKSE ready to lend to SMEs wanting to grow in 2024

18 Jan 2024

Published in: Member News

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The Black Country Chamber of Commerce speaks to the Midlands Area Manager and Regional Executive of UKSE.

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Today’s Ready for 2024 interview features Midlands Area Manager Steve Grice and Regional Executive Mike Lowe from responsible lender UKSE, who want to support businesses out to grow, innovate and bring employment opportunities to the West Midlands.

Through Ready for 2024, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the companies looking forward to building success in 2024. We are featuring member firms, ranging from start-ups to large companies, on the Chamber website and social media channels to get their views on the opportunities ahead during the next year.

Offering strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1m, UKSE’s Midlands arm is ready to support firms across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford looking to grow.

What will your business be focussing upon in 2024?

Steve: Our aim for 2024 is to provide funding support to as many eligible businesses as possible. UKSE expanded its support for SMEs in the West Midlands region last year, so we are now really keen to engage with firms wanting to grow, innovate and bring employment opportunities to the West Midlands.

What are your hopes for the Black Country economy and its businesses in 2024?

Mike: Despite tough conditions, the companies we have been speaking to recently have all been keen to grow, so we are hopeful that more people will be looking to expand, invest or acquire businesses in 2024. There is a strong ecosystem of lenders like us prepared to work collaboratively with SMEs to get them the support they need.

Why will the Black Country be a great place to do business in the 12 months ahead?

Steve: The Black Country has a rich industrial heritage that we can continue to draw on to build exciting new futures for the next generation. As Mike mentioned, there are a lot of businesses in the region feeling positive about the 12 months ahead and wanting to achieve growth. Many are also making positive strides towards other goals like reaching net zero, so there are a lot of great things going on here.

What will you use your Chamber membership for in the year ahead?

Mike: With UKSE expanding its support in the West Midlands region last year, our Chamber membership will be vital for helping us to build up a network of business contacts in the region. We will be attending networking events to help raise awareness of the funding support we can provide to businesses.

What do you hope will happen for the UK economy as a whole?

Steve: Increases in inflation, interest rates and energy bills along with the long shadow of Covid-19 have placed a lot of pressure on businesses recently, so it would be great to see some of these stresses easing in 2024. It would be fantastic to see some positive news for the UK economy, to reassure businesses that now is a good time to invest in their futures.

What does your company do?

UKSE is a Tata Steel subsidiary offering strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1m to generate growth, create local job opportunities and bolster the economy. Our Midlands arm, which is based in Cannock, supports firms across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford that want to grow, innovate and bring employment opportunities to the West Midlands. Visit www.ukse.co.uk to learn more.

Address: Newmarket Suite 6, Centrix@Keys, Keys Business Village, Keys Park Road, Hednesford, Cannock, WS12 2HA