Help for businesses to find way through the funding 'minefield'

About 200 people are expected at Financing Growth 2011, which will feature several funders and advisers including Finance Yorkshire, Lloyds TSB Commercial and Irwin Mitchell. The Leeds session is designed to help the region's business owners and managers reach the next stage of growth and is being organised by Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Yorkshire Post.

Research carried out by the chamber showed that 71 per cent of businesses believe a lack of opportunities for finance is the main barrier to growth and innovation and the event will advise on sources of funding.

Graham Bowland, chief executive of Leeds-based Surgical Innovations, and Mark Whitaker, who previously headed Yorkshire Bank's flagship corporate business centre in Leeds and is now a director at professional services firm Begbies Traynor, and Darren Shaw, a business consultant, will be among the speakers at the free morning session.

Gary Williamson, chief executive of the chamber, said: "For the past two years most businesses have been concentrating on survival and withstanding the tough economic climate. Times are still challenging, but businesses want to start looking forward and make 2011 a year of growth.

"Access to finance will play a vital role in driving innovation, enterprise and ambition, but there are so many different funding channels it can be a minefield and busy businesses simply do not have the time to research and consider the various options. The chamber aims to simplify this and help businesses navigate the various finance providers. This event covers most types of finance and businesses will be able to speak to financial experts who can advise what funding route is best for their individual business.

"Whether businesses want working capital to take on new staff, purchase new equipment or stock, or simply to turn an idea into a reality this event can introduce people to the finance providers that can help them achieve their ambitions".

Mr Bowland, whose firm was named SME manufacturer of the year at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards 2009, will talk about his experience of raising finance to invest in research and development. The firm designs and manufactures innovative medical devices and last year won permission to launch its groundbreaking LogiFlex device in the US, the world's biggest market for surgery on obese patients.

Mr Whitaker joined Yorkshire Bank in 1981 and worked in numerous frontline roles, including traditional branch manager positions in this region and in Oxfordshire before heading the corporate business centr e in Leeds.

He also carried out a range of project work for parent company National Australia Bank before joining Santander and running its West Yorkshire commercial business centre. He has also run his own company, providing strategic and sales leadership advice. The banker will discuss what lenders are looking for in a business.

Mr Shaw, a business consultant and private investor, will speak about the advantages of private equity and angel investment and provide case studies of how funding has helped SMEs to grow. Mr Shaw, who has worked in senior marketing roles with Next Group and American telecommunications firm Southwestern Bell, set up multi-discipline marketing agency Junction Advertising Group before selling it to DMG.

The event's other exhibitors include Connect Yorkshire, Yorkshire Association of Business Angels, Yorkshire Bank, accountancy firm Haines Watts, business coaching and commercialisation consultancy specialists Commerce Intelligence Group, Business Enterprise Fund, WGN Accountants and NatWest.

The event, to be introduced by Yorkshire Post business editor Bernard Ginns, takes place from 8am to 11am on January 21 at Oulton Hall, Leeds. To book go to www.yourchamber.org.uk, email [email protected] or call the events team on 0113 247 0000.

Responding to finance needs

The event follows Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce's consultations with financial experts, SMEs and Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves, which showed that access to finance is the biggest barrier to business growth, because small businesses lack the time to research funding channels.

The chamber's website now provides a guide to the various funding channels. Go to www.yourchamber.org.uk and click on Financing Growth 2011.