Lincolnshire Business Finance Forum

Event Information

Looking to secure funding, prepare for investment, or simply understand what financial support is available for your business? The Lincolnshire Business Finance Forum is your opportunity to connect with regional finance experts, gain clarity on funding options, and walk away with practical insights you can act on straight away.

Whether you're navigating startup funding, scaling a growing business, or seeking support after being turned down by traditional lenders, this event will give you the tools, connections, and confidence to take your next financial step.

This forum is ideal for:

• Business owners and founders in Greater Lincolnshire
• Startups and early-stage businesses seeking their first funding
• Established SMEs looking to scale or attract investment
• Advisors, consultants, and accountants supporting business clients
• Anyone who wants to better understand the funding landscape and what support is really out there

What to expect:

Three short and impactful 15-minute talks from finance and investment specialists:

• Lewis Stringer, British Business Bank - An overview of British Business Bank products and programmes, including Start Up Loans, Community ENABLE Funding, and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.
• Russell Copley, Greenborough - Insights into becoming investment-ready, accessing regional funding, and connecting with local investor networks through the Lincolnshire Investment Network.
• Jess Payne, First Enterprise - An introduction to First Enterprise’s support for businesses.

Click here to secure your place.

Speakers

Russell Copley, Managing Director of Greenborough Management Limited

Russell Copley is the Managing Director of Greenborough, with over 30 years’ experience helping organisations grow and secure investment. With a background in marketing and enterprise support, he leads on business strategy, project management, and public funding. Russell is also Director of 10x10 Business Services Ltd, delivering tailored accelerator programmes. His expertise includes investment readiness, business incubation, and programme delivery across both public and private sectors.

Greenborough offers expert business growth and project management services, with extensive experience spanning public and private sectors. Serving start-ups, SMEs, and large public clients, it delivers proven results in business strategy, growth planning, funding readiness, marketing, sales development, process innovation, and project management.

Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager at the British Business Bank

Lewis Stringer has over 25 years of experience in economic development and finance. Since joining the British Business Bank in 2016, Lewis has played a key role in initiatives supporting businesses across the Midlands, including the Bank’s Covid-19 response. He brings deep expertise from his work with government-backed debt and equity programs, investment readiness, and commercial banking, having previously held leadership roles at East Midlands Development Agency, Capital for Enterprise Limited, and Lloyds Banking Group.

The British Business Bank is the UK’s economic development bank, dedicated to driving sustainable growth, enhancing access to finance, and supporting the transition to a net zero economy.

Jess Payne, Business Development Manager of First Enterprise

With almost a decade of experience in social impact, and not for profits, Jess has an eagerness to empower individuals growth, drive socio-economic change and deliver transformative outcomes through strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships. Despite being skilled in public speaking, she much prefers to talk business and finance one on one with a hot chocolate or cocktail!

First Enterprise is a not-for-profit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) founded in 1989, dedicated to supporting businesses that are often overlooked by traditional lenders, particularly in the Midlands and Lincolnshire area. Offering Start Up and Business Loans from £500 to £250,000. First Enterprise focuses on inclusive, relationship-based finance, empowering ethnic minority and women entrepreneurs and driving economic growth in local communities. With a human approach to lending, they avoid AI and algorithms and instead help businesses unlock their potential and create lasting social impact through listening, understanding and projection.