British Business Bank North of England

Your journey is your strength. 💡 Rebecca Pickering, Investment Manager at Mercia Asset Management PLC, reminds us that success isn’t defined by a traditional path. Whether you're a single parent, lack formal qualifications, or have faced redundancy, what truly matters is self-belief. Some of the most successful businesses were built by those who took an unconventional route. Instead of apologising for your background, embrace it—it’s what makes you unique 💜 #WomensHistoryMonth #FemaleEntrepreneurs #ConfidenceInBusiness

📺 75Media, the UK’s fastest-growing roadside media operator, has secured a seven-figure from Mercia Ventures as part of our Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. The business is shaking up the outdoor advertising space, with its proprietary AI platform set to democratise outdoor advertising, empowering brands of all sizes to plan and build impactful outdoor advertising campaigns. 👇 You can read more below https://bit.ly/4216mEj

"Positive steps have been made in the North East, with inspirational female leaders driving change. However, access to finance remains a key challenge for female entrepreneurs." Sarah Slaven, Managing Director at Business Durham, highlights the need for more targeted funding and greater awareness of existing resources to truly level the playing field. By improving access to finance, we can unlock more opportunities for women-led businesses to grow and thrive 💜

Bradford-based Crucial Engineering Ltd has secured £250,000 via Mercia Debt, as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. The funding will enable Crucial Engineering - a facades, shutters, barriers, gates and turnstile provider - to take on bigger projects, after it moved into a larger premises last year and secured a spate of new high-tier contract wins. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4iwBVwZ

With the support of a Start Up Loan from Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) | Loans & Finance for Small Businesses, South Shields-based AFL Decorating and Maintenance, founded by Zac Winter, has grown into a thriving business 🎨 While working for a friend and having no prior experience, Zac discovered his passion for decorating and maintenance. In 2024, he took the leap and launched his own business 💼 Zac secured over £3,000 of Start Up Loan funding to invest in updated equipment, improving the speed of his work and setting him up to achieve even further growth 🚀 Start your business journey and apply for a Start Up Loan today 👇 https://lnkd.in/eGw5idDE #SouthShields #StartUpLoan #NorthEas

'The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is a fantastic opportunity for female entrepreneurs looking to grow and scale their businesses.' Rebecca MacDermid, Investment Manager at Maven Capital Partners, highlights how the North East is home to many inspiring female entrepreneurs who serve as role models for the next generation. With the right support and investment, more women can turn their business ambitions into reality 💜 #WomensHistoryMonth #FemaleEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth

Our ‘Sheffield in Focus: Economic Update and Insights’ event, bringing together a panel of industry experts, business leaders, and finance professionals 🚀 This session will provide an overview of Sheffield's economic outlook, highlighting current challenges and key opportunities for growth and funding across the region. 📅 25 March 2025, 8am-10am 📍University of Sheffield 🔗Register now: https://bit.ly/4igi0lN

Diverse leadership is key to unlocking growth. Yvonne Asquith from Sheffield City Council highlights the importance of having diverse perspectives at the decision-making table—something that ultimately unlocks innovation, fosters inclusivity, and accelerates progress. When leaders from different backgrounds collaborate, everyone benefits 💜 #WomensHistoryMonth #DiversityInLeadership #BusinessGrowth

"Starting a business takes courage, but female entrepreneurs often face additional challenges" 💡 Janice Mears, Head of Business Growth at Growth Platform - Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, shares her advice: ✅ Believe in yourself and have a clear vision ✅ Build a strong network and seek mentorship ✅ Embrace failure as a learning opportunity ✅ Stay financially savvy and differentiate your brand ✅ Prioritise self-care and use resources designed for women in business #WomensHistoryMonth

Our latest Small Business Finance Markets report revealed a rise in external finance usage in Yorkshire and the Humber. In the first half of 2024: 🚀 45% of smaller businesses used funding 🤝 38% of smaller businesses stated they would be happy to use external finance to grow Despite this optimism, in the first three quarters of 2024, equity deals fell by 19.6% from the previous year 📉 Read our full report here: https://bit.ly/3F047Jv #SmallBusiness #YorkshireandTheHumbe