Financing the next stage of your business: understanding your options

Thursday 19th November 2026

Webinars | Oct 30

Financing the next stage of your business: understanding your options

November 19th

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Online

Securing the right finance can play an important role in helping your business grow, whether you’re looking to invest in new technology, recruit talent, develop new products or expand into new markets.

Join us for this interactive webinar workshop, where finance experts from Allica Bank, Barclays and UK Private Capital will share practical insights into the funding options available to SMEs. Following a short panel discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to join a breakout session focused on your business priorities, explore different financing approaches and ask experts your questions.

Whether you’re managing cash flow, investing in growth or exploring opportunities to scale with investors, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your options and practical next steps to help you make more confident financing decisions.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to register early. The week before the webinar, we’ll send registered attendees a short poll to find out which topics they’d like to explore and help us tailor the breakout discussions.

13:00 – 13:10: Introductions and panel discussion overview

13:10 – 13:50: Breakout rooms (you’ll be able to select one on the zoom registration form)

Investing in growth – Recruiting staff, expanding capacity, growing sales and marketing activity, and funding growth opportunities.
Innovation and new opportunities – Developing new products, investing in technology, exploring innovation funding and evaluating new business opportunities.
Scaling with investors– Understanding angel investment and equity finance, preparing for investor conversations, and funding ambitious growth plans.

13:50 – 14:00: Closing remarks in main room and next steps

our Speakers

Tom Hine Relationship Manager, Allica Bank

Tom has over 21 years’ experience supporting established businesses across the South West, bringing extensive business banking expertise and a strong local network. At Allica Bank, he helps deliver relationship-led banking, combining personal service with rewarding business accounts, practical tools and technology designed to make banking easier.

Lucas Morais Membership Manager, UK Private Capital

Lucas builds relationships across the UK private capital ecosystem, helping members maximise the opportunities, insights and connections available through membership. Originally from Brazil, he began his career in law before moving into membership, professional development and business intelligence, developing a passion for connecting people and building communities that help individuals and organisations thrive.

Paul Elsey London Growth Team Leader, Barclays

Paul holds over 30 years’ experience in banking across retail, corporate and credit risk. For the past five years, he has been part of Barclays’ London Business Banking leadership team, supporting colleagues and businesses with annual turnover of £1m–£10m.

Nick O’Donovan Senior Lecturer in Political Economy and Public Policy and Programme Director, Keele Business School

Nick O’Donovan is a Senior Lecturer at Keele Business School, an ACA-qualified Chartered Accountant with a PhD in Government. His work focuses on finance, public policy and economic growth. He is Programme Director for Keele University’s Help to Grow: Management Course and a member of the national Help to Grow Curriculum Working Group.