Business Enterprise Fund to support 280 businesses and create 600 jobs with new £20m fund

Flexible finance provider the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) has received a facility of £20m to boost support for small businesses, via an investment from Lloyds Bank & Big Society Capital).

In a bid to support local jobs and improve the economy, the investment is part of a £62m boost to help Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) back businesses in the most deprived areas of England and Wales. The investment into CDFIs from a mainstream bank also marks a first in recent years.

BEF, which operates across Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the North West, is one of three CDFIs selected to receive the funding, with criteria ensuring that the money goes towards socially motivated lenders who are already lending around £100m per year to businesses which traditional and challenger banks or fintech can’t service. 

The fund is designed to support underserved communities such as BAME and female led businesses; CDFIs have become known for working with such businesses and providing support where mainstream banking cannot.

BEF, which marks 20 years of lending in 2024, specialises in providing flexible finance to businesses in these communities, championing the significant positive effects that small business has in the post-industrial areas of the UK.  

Stephen Waud, CEO of BEF comments: “It’s good news that mainstream lenders such as Lloyds Bank recognise the transformative effects that CDFIs have in the communities they serve. It’s all about providing business owners, and aspiring business owners booming with entrepreneurship and great ideas, with the opportunity to prove their ideas. There’s also a real focus on trickle up, rather than trickle-down economics, where job creation and wealth generation in these communities create proven change.

“We're thrilled to be one of the CDFIs helping to utilise this fund and support small businesses and local economies. We plan to support over 280 businesses and create nearly 600 jobs with the funds that we have, helping both female and BAME led businesses with the opportunity to prove their success.”

Funded by Lloyds, Big Society Capital and contributions from participating CDFI, CIEF will provide the CDFI with the capital they need to meet growing demand from small businesses.

The fund, which follows on from a successful first phase of funding, will continue to be managed by Social Investment Scotland (SIS), which has been investing in the social sector since 2001 and is itself a CDFI. Responsible Finance and the Impact Investing Institute have both played a key role in bringing this second phase to fruition² along with the three participating CDFIs.

Elyn Corfield, CEO Business and Commercial Banking, Lloyds Bank, said: “Small and medium size enterprises are the heartbeat of the UK economy and as the largest domestic banking group, we have a proud history of supporting UK businesses to thrive. We’re therefore delighted to support the CDFI sector to back local businesses, with a focus on deprived areas, and ensure they have access to a range of financial options right for them. When local businesses flourish so do local communities and we hope our leadership within this second phase of CIEF will see many more areas of the UK succeed.”

Theodora Hadjimichael, CEO of Responsible Finance which represents the UK's CDFIs, said: "Wherever they live, entrepreneurs need the right finance at the right time to develop their businesses. Yet many viable businesses based outside London or led by people from an ethnic minority background or by women, struggle to access the finance they need to grow. Lending from the UK’s CDFIs is meeting this gap, creating thousands of thriving businesses and banks’ future customers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lloyds Bank's commitment to our sector and the small businesses we serve, alongside BSC's valued longstanding support. As we announce this historic investment, we urge other mainstream banks to join Lloyds. We call on Government to extend the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) which has proven so effective at unlocking finance for SMEs. RLS is a crucial way for securing investment like this and channelling it to underserved but viable businesses.”