Supporting SMBs during Lockdown – how Fintechs will provide a lifeline in 2021 and beyond
While the UK is still ranked in the top ten most competitive economies by the World Economic Forum, this is far from assured after Brexit. If the response in the past few months to Covid-19 is anything to go by it is our small business entrepreneurs who will have the agility and ability to respond to […]
Time out with… Peter Thomas
What attracted you to join AP? My background initially was as an assistant portfolio manager, and I battled to get the more traditional risk averse investors and investment managers to buy into tech firms. So, a couple of years ago I decide to sit on the other side and work in the fintech space. I haven’t (fully) looked back […]
Talking Trends January 2021
This blog forms part of a series where we identify common themes and trends over the previous month. Positive Introducers in the UK market returning to invoice finance as a core solution as CBILS draws to a close There is strong demand for US$ in Ireland, UK and Canada, highlighting the continued interest in SMEs to look beyond Europe post-Brexit. Businesses appear to be paying […]
Talking Trends November 2020
This blog forms part of a series where we discuss common themes and trends that have been identified over the previous month. Positive There has been a marked increase in demand from companies that are new to Invoice Finance, from both early-stage & more mature businesses. This bucks the trend of the wider (full book) […]
How to Stay Afloat while Exporting
There are a lot of benefits to a business selling invoices overseas, but there can also be a lot of financial risks as well. It is important to fully understand the risks and how they may affect your business before selling overseas. Export Finance is ideal if your business has customers overseas who have extended payment […]
An Alternative View of SMB Funding with Accelerated Payment’s CEO, Ian Duffy
Getting funds to SMEs is the new imperative across the globe as nations look to reopen businesses and get people back to work. The pandemic has thrown accessibility of funding for SMEs into sharp relief and alternative financiers are stepping up to the plate. I talked to one such financier, Ian Duffy CEO of Accelerated […]
Steve Box on his appointment as chairman at a time of remote working
Accelerated Payments last week announced the appointment of Steve Box as new chair. Here is a short introduction to Steve Box followed by an interview conducted following the announcement. Steve Box has held several senior executive roles in the past, including as head of Europe for Falcon Group, CEO of Bibby Financial Services and global head of receivables […]
Alternative Receivables Finance Companies: A lifeline for SMBs?
In the wake of the pandemic, governments across the globe put in place loan guarantees for businesses in various guises in order to protect the future economic road to recovery. But whilst their efforts are commendable, the eligibility criteria and restrictions that they put in place meant that many alternative finance lenders were and still are unavailable to provide a suitable offering. This leaves thousands […]
The long and winding road to recovery: how to keep your business on track.
As nations of entrepreneurs SMEs account for 60% of the UK and 70.1% of the Irish Labour market and around 50% of turnover of both countries. The response of SMEs to the Covid crisis will clearly have a huge impact on the shape of both economies and future skills requirements. Of course, neither country is the first in the world to navigate recovery. Across the world, countries are starting to open up their doors, albeit slowly. The […]