Funding Scottish SMEs
We are one of the UK's largest independent SME funders and have been providing specialist and adaptable working capital finance for over 40 years. Our team support businesses across Scotland with improving cashflow, investing in new equipment or trading internationally through our Invoice Finance, Asset Finance and Foreign Exchange solutions.
Meet the team
Our team are committed to helping Scottish businesses survive, thrive and grow. Based across the region, our specialist sales people work closely with the intermediary and business community to boost funding and improve outcomes for SMEs in Scotland.
Business Development Manager
James Hart
James has over 20 years' experience in financial services across a range of roles. He has worked in Business Development for the BFS Scotland team since 2019, specialising in structuring tailored working capital solutions for SMEs. James is passionate about helping Scottish business owners and prides himself on looking after clients from the outset to fully understand the funding they need.
Business Development Manager
Gayle Robertson
Gayle joined the Scotland team in May 2023 and has almost two decades of experience in the banking and commercial finance sectors. She joins from Lloyds Banking Group where she supported the growth of around 250 SMEs in both operational and sales roles, her most recent role was Associate Director of Invoice Finance.
Assistant Corporate Manager – Scotland
Jennifer McGuffie
Jen has worked in the Finance industry since university and started her career with Lloyds Banking Group, specialising in Asset Finance. Moving into Invoice Finance when she first joined BFS in 2011, Jen has over 10 years’ experience with various funders in Invoice Finance and is experienced in Business Development and assisting the Scottish SME market in finding the right financial solution.
Construction Business Development Manager
John Smyth
John rejoined the BFS Scotland team in February 2024, bringing over 23 years of experience in Invoice Finance. Previously an Associate Director at Breadalbane Finance, he has a strong track record of helping Scottish SMEs secure the funding they need to grow. His expertise in the construction sector and deep knowledge of the Scottish market make him a key asset to the team.
Business Development Executive
Joseph Devine
Joseph recently joined BFS as a BDE. Joseph is new to the Finance Market, but brings with him the enthusiasm to develop and achieve. Joseph is key in supporting the BDM Team in delivering our ambitions. He is involved in every aspect of the sales process and helps us ensure our focus on continuous improvement and our excellent customer experience.
Our Commercial and Corporate Funding Solutions
We help local businesses unlock working capital for a range of scenarios, including growth and expansion and overseas trade. Our range of funding also supports management buy-ins and buy-outs, refinancing, corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions.
Our range of financial services include:
How we've helped businesses across Scotland
£1m funding provided
We structured a £1 million Invoice Discounting facility for a well-established plant hire business, lifting out the existing funder as part of an MBO. We were chosen due to our speed, as we were able to approve the facility in service of the MBO timeline.
- Sector:
- Construction
- Region:
- Glasgow
£750k funding provided
We provided a £750,000 Confidential Factoring facility for a lighting manufacturer and installer based in Edinburgh. We also agreed to add Bad Debt Protection to protect the client against the risk of bad debt and provide peace of mind.
- Sector:
- Manufacturing
- Region:
- Edinburgh
£100k funding provided
We arranged a £100,000 'One Simple Fee' Construction facility for a business which specialises in civils work on the West Coast of Scotland. The client required the facility to support payroll and expenses as the company grows with new contracts.
- Sector:
- Railway and construction
- Region:
- West Coast of Scotland
£300k funding provided
We structured a £300,000 Factoring facility for a high-end water distillery based in the North of Scotland. The client needed a cashflow facility that was flexible and scalable to help service their growing order book.
- Sector:
- Distillery
- Region:
- North Scotland
£50k funding provided
We provided a £50,000 Forward Finance facility for a specialist structural integrity testing business in the West of Scotland. We also added Bad Debt Protection to the facility to provide the client with security and confidence.
- Sector:
- Construction
- Region:
- West Scotland
£125k funding provided
We supported a courier business based in Glasgow with a £125,000 Factoring facility. This was an interfactor transfer, we were able to lift the client out of their existing facility by providing a higher initial payment to benefit them going forward.
- Sector:
- Courier
- Region:
- Glasgow
Product resources
Guide: Find out more about our range of finance solutions and how they can help your clients to thrive and grow.
We're passionate about helping businesses grow and here's what our clients say about us:
TM Steels
“For the past 20 years, BFS’s approach to funding has been consistent, honest, practical, timely and fully understanding of the commercial realities and challenges that businesses face. The lines of communication are excellent and response times to requests are without fault. Their support has been a lifeline to our business – through the good times and bad.”
BARRY TUCKER
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Forefront Scaffolding Hire & Sales Ltd
“Professional and very helpful employees in Glasgow. The people I have been dealing with in the Glasgow office have been fantastic and very easy to deal with! Especially Jennifer McGuffie who has gone above and beyond to explain the whole process to myself.”
FRANK LEE
OWNER
Mor Cross
“Bibby Financial Services has been providing our firm with funding for over 18 years and we rely on a steady stream of funding to operate our business efficiently throughout the year. The additional funding also provides us with capital that we can put back into the business to grow our fleet of vehicles. As a haulage provider our fleet is at the heart of our business.”
GEMMA BUSH
DIRECTOR