A historic Devon pub is here to stay thanks to an enterprising loan from Reparo Finance. The owner and landlord has big ambitions for the award-winning 17th century pub. Now a £350k structured loan is funding a huge renovation project at the family run pub and restaurant, modernising rooms upstairs to provide state of the art bed and breakfast facilities. The loan was facilitated as part of the sale and purchase of the pub from a partnership to a limited company. A complex deal of this nature is often impossible using traditional lenders. However, Reparo Finance are experts at providing bespoke finance…
Author: Greg Robinson
Best selling author and business networking expert Stefan Thomas has marked the 10th anniversary of his acclaimed book “Business Networking for Dummies” by sharing ten ways in which the world of networking has changed since 2014. In that ten years, Stefan has attended over 1,500 face to face networking events in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and has seen the world of networking evolve literally in front of his eyes. With over 10,000 book sales under his belt, Stefan’s book continues to serve as guidance for professionals navigating the intricate world of business connections. Stefan lives in Oxfordshire and is a professional speaker,…
Countless tech brands risk disappearing into the ‘Sea of Same’ because they haven’t invested in developing a distinct brand narrative which sets them apart from their competitors. While investing heavily in R&D, tech businesses without a compelling narrative risk becoming indistinguishable in the race for market share and when tender lists are drawn up, they are forgotten, if, indeed, they were ever recalled at all. Many businesses fall into the trap of using generic platitudes and common hygiene factors, mistakenly believing in some way they are unique or distinct. A closer look reveals the exact same generic phrases, spattered across…
When your startup is ready to grow, you need the right financial tools to help you achieve your business goals. After initial investments are made in your company (including by family and friends), there are broadly two ways to raise capital – equity financing where you sell shares in your company or debt financing where you borrow money. If you want to maintain control and avoid diluting ownership in your own company, debt financing is the better option. This simply means borrowing money from lenders – which can be traditional banks, online lending platforms or specialist early-stage debt providers. Knowing…
Marketing matters more now than ever for small businesses and is a crucial tool for driving profitability. In fact, according to HubSpot, companies that prioritise marketing efforts are 13 times more likely to see positive Return On Investment [ROI]. With research by Promixa indicating that up to 60 per cent of marketing budgets are wasted, ambitious small businesses wanting to scale can’t afford to take a half-hearted approach to their campaigns, and even the most well-intended marketing strategies can be derailed by simple mistakes that can easily be avoided. Here are some of the most common mistakes many small businesses…
Business groups, employers, civil society organisations and community groups are all combining forces to encourage people to boost voter turnout, by backing a new Voter Registration Champions scheme from Citizens UK. Employees will be alerted of the deadline to register to vote, changes to rules on voter ID, and encouraged to vote on polling day. Businesses will also be encouraged to share information with those outside their organisation and within their network. Business groups the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation for Small Business, and the Better Business Act will be encouraging their members, collectively representing nearly 300,000 businesses across the…
Award-winning businesswoman, landlord and property developer Mandy St John Davey has received her MBE from The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle after being recognised in The Kings New Year’s Honours list for services to working women. Born and raised in South Wales, Mandy is a well-known property developer, ethical landlord and champion of women in business, particularly in property and construction. Her years of commitment were recognised when she was nominated for a New Year honour. “It was the most incredible day which was the pinnacle of my career so far. It was poignant and fitting that it was the Princess…
The 3 Counties Expo returns to the vibrant city of Watford, set to take place on April 25th, 2024, at the prestigious Hilton Hotel’s New Hertford Suite, located at Elton Way, Watford WD25 8HA. The 3 Counties Expo Watford is a premier business event that welcomes visitors from the region and is free to enter for all attendees. Whether you are an established business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or seeking to expand your business horizons, this event is designed to meet your needs. With over 50 exhibitors showcasing a diverse range of products and services, attendees will have ample opportunities…
UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Barclays have secured a £1.3 million trade finance package for Leicester-based business Unimed Procurement Services. The financing has allowed Unimed to fulfil a major delivery of over 350 ultrasound machines to Latin America and expand its international reach. A winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (2022), Unimed helps to improve health outcomes around the world by distributing medical supplies to international development agencies, governments, NGOs and research institutions. To date, it has supplied pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and laboratory supplies to clients in over 58 countries. A financing guarantee from UKEF, the government export credit…
Feature writer Fiona Scott talks to Jon White of RWB Auctions about his eclectic career and his investment of £3million in his own High Street. Where Did Life Start For You? I was born in Solihull in the midlands. My father was an engineer at the BBC and he worked at Pebble Mill, but when I was eight years old, he relocated to regional television and we moved to Norfolk so most of my childhood was growing up in Norfolk. Mum was a PE teacher who took time out for the family and went back and became a supply teacher…