Local businesses get boost from free investment advice

Local businesses and entrepreneurs recently received free, tailored financial advice at the Growth Hub in Gloucester.

Members of the GFirst LEP Banking and Finance Business Group assembled a panel of leading financial experts, to offer their guidance in finding solutions for a variety of funding challenges.

Scheduled to run again in January 2016, the ‘Securing Investment for Growth’ Advice Clinic is made up of representatives from major high street banks and specialists in crowdfunding, venture capital and government grants. The wealth of expertise on offer gives businesses the opportunity to consider a number of different funding solutions, building a tailored package for their particular challenge.

Daniel Bridges, Head of Service Strategy and Delivery at Horsebridge, received advice at the first clinic: “The session was extremely and immediately useful. There was a great spread of knowledge on the panel, the advice of which has helped us to develop a clearer idea of how to fund and implement our strategies. The delivery of the clinic allowed a healthy discussion and we left with multiple ideas that we could implement in the business straight away.”

Chris Mears, Chair of the GFirst LEP Banking and Finance Business Group and Relationship Director at Santander, commented; “Businesses in Gloucestershire frequently state that accessing funding is a major barrier to growth, so these clinics were designed to  overcome this barrier. We’ve received great feedback from applicants that attended the banking clinics. Hearing from local businesses, the clinics offered a unique ability for discussions around business plans and issues, where we could share our knowledge enabling them to implement ideas for growth with the range of experts, including the full breadth of funding options. We are really keen to offer this opportunity again to more Gloucestershire businesses in the New Year.”

The clinic will run again on Thursday 28th January at the Growth Hub. If your business is interested in gaining personalised advice please apply by visiting http://bit.ly/finance-clinic and completing the form.

For more information visit www.gfirstlep.com or contact the Marketing Team on 01242 715491 or marketing@gfirstlep.com.