2025 – A year in review for South West Business Finance.

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good moment to pause and look at what has genuinely mattered this year. At South West Business Finance, it’s never just been about business loan finance, funding for startup business, or cashflow loans for small business, it’s always been about people, partnerships, and giving businesses the confidence to take their next step.

And 2025 has been exactly that, a year of growth, clarity and connection for the businesses, introducers and property professionals we’ve proudly supported across the South West and beyond.

“2025 has been about strengthening relationships, deepening our knowledge base and continuing to make a real difference to the businesses and communities we serve.”
Steve Barrett, Co-Founder, SWBF

Supporting Local Communities

Community is where business roots itself, and this year has reminded us why that matters.

We proudly named Bath City Farm as our Charity Partner of the Year, rolled up our sleeves to help improve their goat pen, and raised funds to support their brilliant work. Our annual Golf Day was back in full swing, raising money for Bath City Farm and the MindStep Foundation.

We were also delighted to support the first ever Radio Bath Charity Awards as headline sponsor, reinforcing our belief that business finance and community impact go hand in hand.

“Giving back to our community is at the heart of who we are. Supporting Bath City Farm and MindStep this year has been both humbling and inspiring.”
 Daniel Smith, Co-Founder, SWBF

Funding Growth and Innovation

This year alone, we’ve helped secure more than £150 million in funding for local businesses. Behind every figure is a business owner trying to grow, stabilise cashflow, navigate a challenge, or secure finance for property or development.

From cashflow finance to property development funding, from borrowing for business to business cashflow loans, our role has been the same every time, make it simple, make it personal, and make sure the solution fits the real-world situation.

We’ve also strengthened our partnerships with lenders and introducers, ensuring businesses have access to competitive, well-structured finance for businesses at every stage of their journey.

“We take pride in helping our clients understand the full range of funding options available to them. Our role is to simplify the process and deliver the right solution, not just any solution.”
 Steve Barrett

Sharing Knowledge and Insight

Finance can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to. This year we expanded our Knowledge Bank with practical explanations, guides, and insights designed to demystify business finance, cashflow management and finance for property.

Whether it’s helping a startup owner understand business startup funding, or explaining the difference between cashflow loans and working capital finance, our goal has stayed the same, giving people the confidence to make informed, empowered decisions.

Connecting through Events

Our Economic Briefings with Mark Berrisford-Smith drew record interest this year, with full rooms in both Bath and Newton Abbot, proving that people value clear, real-world insight into the economic landscape.

We also proudly supported and co-hosted multiple community and business events including:

• LAF: Legal, Accounting and Finance Lunches
• Bath Dragons Business Competition
• The Radio Bath Charity Awards
• The iconic Bath Boules

These events help us stay close to the challenges and opportunities facing real businesses across the region, strengthening the relationships that make our work meaningful.

Looking ahead to 2026

The year ahead will be all about clarity and connection. Businesses want straightforward advice, simple explanations, and a finance partner who will cut through the jargon and talk like a human being. That’s exactly what we’ll continue to do.

Our focus for 2026 includes:

• Raising awareness of the diverse range of funding options available
• Helping more businesses find the right support at the right time
• Announcing our 2026 Charity Partner early in the new year
• Hosting another packed calendar of events and economic insights
• Continuing to support introducers, property investors, and business owners with personal, practical guidance

“2026 will be about clarity, connection and community. We’ll keep doing what we do best, helping businesses grow with confidence.”
 Daniel Smith

At SWBF, we remain committed to walking alongside our clients, partners and introducers at every stage of their journey, offering the kind of personal, practical, and professional support that takes the fear out of business finance and puts confidence back at the centre.