Whether you’re recruiting staff, purchasing equipment, expanding into larger premises or developing new products, growth almost always requires funding.

Yet many business owners make one common mistake.

They start by asking:

“Who should I borrow from?”

In reality, the better question is:

“What am I funding?”

The answer to that question will often determine the most appropriate type of finance.

That’s why we’ve created The Business Owner’s Guide to Funding Growth – a practical guide designed to help business owners understand the different funding options available and when each is most appropriate.

There Isn’t One ‘Best’ Type of Finance

One of the biggest misconceptions in commercial finance is that there is a single funding solution that’s right for every business.

There isn’t.

The right funding depends on your objectives, your business model, your cash flow and your long-term plans.

For example:

• Purchasing machinery is very different from recruiting new staff.
• Buying commercial property requires a different approach to improving cash flow.
• Investing in software or technology has different funding considerations again.

Different business objectives require different funding solutions, which is why understanding your options is so important before approaching lenders.

Funding Should Support Growth – Not Restrict It

The best funding solution isn’t always the one with the lowest headline interest rate.

It should also support the way your business operates.

A well-structured finance facility can help preserve working capital, improve cash flow, spread the cost of investment and allow assets to generate income while they’re being paid for.

The wrong funding, on the other hand, can place unnecessary pressure on cash flow or limit future flexibility.

The aim should always be to choose finance that enables growth – not finance that becomes a barrier to it.

Understanding Your Options

Business finance has evolved considerably over the past few years.

Many business owners are familiar with traditional business loans, but there are a wide range of specialist funding solutions available depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

Our guide explores options including:

• Asset Finance
• Business Loans
• Asset Refinance
• Commercial Vehicle Finance
• Property Finance
• Funding for Technology & Innovation

It explains what each solution is designed for, how it works and the types of businesses it may suit best.

Why Businesses Use Finance Brokers

Another assumption many business owners make is that their existing bank will always provide the best solution.

In reality, every lender has different lending criteria, pricing structures and appetite for different sectors.

That’s why many growing businesses choose to work with an independent commercial finance broker.

Rather than relying on one lender, a broker can compare multiple funding options to identify solutions that better match your objectives, sector and future plans.

At First Business Finance, we work with a panel of more than 50 UK lenders, giving our clients access to specialist funding solutions that they may not find by approaching a single provider.

Five Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask

Before taking on any finance, it’s worth asking yourself:

• What am I trying to achieve?
• Is this the most appropriate funding solution?
• Will repayments support future growth?
• Have I explored more than one lender?
• Will this improve my cash flow rather than restrict it?

These questions often have a greater impact on the quality of your funding than simply comparing interest rates.

Download Our Free Guide

Choosing business finance shouldn’t be about finding the quickest solution.

It should be about finding the right solution.

Our free Business Owner’s Guide to Funding Growth provides a straightforward overview of the most common funding options available to UK businesses, helping you understand which type of finance may be best suited to your objectives.

Whether you’re investing in equipment, purchasing commercial property, improving cash flow or planning your next phase of growth, the guide is designed to help you make more informed funding decisions.

Download your free copy here.

The post The Business Owner’s Guide to Funding Growth: Choosing the Right Finance for Your Business appeared first on First Business Finance.

We are passionate about getting to the core of our clients needs – this can only be done through a trusted adviser who understands their goals, takes the time to listen and helps them find the right funding solution for their unique needs – critical to source the right funding solution. 

Today we’re putting the spotlight on the Founder and Managing Director of First Business Finance, David Jordan, whose journey perfectly reflects the determination, resilience and relationship-led approach that continue to define the business today.

From Football Pitches to Finance

Born and raised in Kent, David’s first ambition wasn’t business – it was football.

Having attended local schools, David achieved his childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer with Gillingham Football Club. But after signing professionally at 18, he realised his future lay elsewhere. He joined a rock band and then found a role in sales that attracted him. 

In 1996, David entered the asset finance sector and quickly discovered a passion for helping businesses access the funding they need to grow.

Building a Business During Uncertain Times

In 2008, as much of the financial world was facing unprecedented uncertainty, David took the leap and launched First Business Finance.

His motivation was simple: 

“I loved the industry, I was ambitious, and I wanted to build something of my own.”

Nearly two decades later, that decision has grown into a successful and respected finance brokerage that continues to support businesses across the UK.

Vision and Values

David’s vision has remained remarkably consistent over the years.

“I wanted to build a cutting edge business with a team I could be proud of – and I am.”

Today, as part of the wider SRT & Partners group, that vision continues to evolve through growth, diversification and an unwavering commitment to looking after clients.

For David, success isn’t measured solely by lending volumes or business growth. It’s about sustainable progress, profitability, a strong culture and seeing the people around him succeed.

Leadership Through Relationships

Ask David what has contributed most to the success of First Business Finance and the answer isn’t complicated.

He believes trust and reliability are the foundations of any successful business relationship, whether with clients, lenders or colleagues. It’s an approach that has helped build long-term partnerships and earned the confidence of businesses across a wide range of sectors.

His colleagues would describe him as positive, active and determined – qualities that have helped shape both his leadership style and the culture of the business.

Life Beyond Finance

Away from the office, David remains as competitive and active as ever.

A keen tennis and padel player, he enjoys most racket sports and still spends as much time outdoors as possible. While running has gradually given way to walking, staying active remains an important part of his routine.

One of his proudest personal achievements was completing the Everest Base Camp trek – an experience that reinforced the importance of resilience, discipline and preparation. The lessons learned on the mountain continue to influence his approach to both business and life.

Looking Ahead

As First Business Finance continues to grow, David remains focused on the principles that have been there since day one: personal service, strong relationships and helping businesses achieve their ambitions.

Because while funding products, lenders and markets may change, one thing remains constant:

People buy from people.

And it’s that belief that continues to shape the way First Business Finance supports its clients every day.

The post Who’s Behind First Business Finance? Meet David Jordan, Our Managing Director appeared first on First Business Finance.

Alongside this, industry data from Glenigan indicates that civil engineering activity – particularly in projects under £100m – is expected to see solid growth into 2026.

Major programmes are already moving forward, including:

• Road Investment Strategy 3 (2026–2031)
• AMP8 water investment period
• Ongoing rail and transport upgrades
• Large-scale projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing

The pipeline is visible, long-term, and meaningful for businesses across the civil engineering supply chain.

The constraint isn’t the opportunities – it’s readiness

Analysis from PwC highlights a key shift: the constraint in UK infrastructure delivery is increasingly delivery capacity rather than intent.

Plant availability, skilled operators, and the ability to mobilise quickly are now the limiting factors.

For civil engineering contractors, that creates a clear commercial reality. The businesses best positioned to win work are those that can demonstrate they are resourced and ready – not those scrambling to put funding in place after award.

Finance that matches how civil engineering works

For businesses building capacity ahead of confirmed contracts, revolving credit facilities are one of the most effective funding structures available.

An agreed funding line allows you to:

• Secure access to capital in advance
• Draw funds only when equipment is needed
• Move quickly when projects land

The result is simple: when work arrives, plant follows within days – not weeks.

And because funding is structured in advance, terms are typically stronger than last-minute arrangements made under pressure.

The AIA still works in your favour

Civil engineering plant typically qualifies for the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) – allowing 100% tax relief on qualifying expenditure up to the current threshold.

Under Hire Purchase, this relief is available even when the asset is financed rather than purchased outright. That means:

• Preserving working capital
• While still accessing the full tax benefit

With changes to capital allowances coming into effect from April 2026, early planning of capital expenditure is becoming increasingly important.

Build your plant strategy now

The infrastructure pipeline is not a short-term spike – it’s a sustained opportunity.

The contractors who benefit most won’t be the ones reacting to it. They’ll be the ones who planned for it.

What makes First Business Finance different?

It starts with the people – One dedicated point of contact.

In a market that’s becoming increasingly process-driven, our clients value having one, knowledgeable person who knows their business and is always at the end of the phone.

We take the time to structure funding properly – so it supports how the business operates and grows.

Because getting funding isn’t the challenge.

Getting the right funding is.

Call our team to discuss any funding requirements you may have.

If you want to talk through how to structure your plant finance or any funding requirements you may have, call us on 01634 386869.

The post £700bn of Work Is Coming – Are You Ready For It? appeared first on First Business Finance.

Across the sector, securing new contracts is only part of the challenge. The ability to mobilise quickly, deploy equipment and meet delivery expectations is what ultimately determines whether opportunities can be realised.

Case Study: Funding Critical Site Equipment

We recently supported a client operating within the high-rise construction sector with the funding of key site equipment:

• 2 new passenger hoists
• Total value: £249,995 + VAT
• Structured with a 10% deposit
• VAT deferred for 3 months
• Funded over a 5-year term

This wasn’t simply about acquiring equipment. The objective was to ensure the business could continue to meet growing demand from existing and incoming contracts, while maintaining financial flexibility.

The Challenge: Growth vs Cashflow

In high-rise construction, project timelines are tight and mobilisation windows are short. Equipment such as passenger hoists is not only essential to site operations-it is often required at short notice once contracts are secured.

For many businesses, this creates a familiar tension:

• Invest quickly to meet demand
• Avoid tying up significant capital upfront

Without the right funding structure in place, this can lead to delays, missed opportunities or unnecessary pressure on working capital.

The Solution: Structuring Finance Around the Business

In this case, the funding solution was designed to align with how the business operates:

• A low initial outlay to preserve cash
• VAT deferral to ease short-term pressure
• A structured repayment profile over five years

This approach allowed the client to deploy the equipment immediately, ensuring they could meet project demands without disrupting cashflow or wider operations.

Why Funding Structure Matters

In sectors like construction, it’s not just about securing the work-it’s about having the infrastructure in place to deliver it.

The businesses best positioned for growth are those that plan ahead:

• Aligning funding with project pipelines
• Ensuring equipment can be deployed when needed
• Maintaining flexibility as demand changes

Having the right funding structure in place can be the difference between reacting to opportunities and being ready to act on them.

Looking Ahead

With activity across high-rise construction continuing to build, the need for flexible, well-structured funding is only increasing.

If your business is experiencing similar pressures around growth, capacity or mobilisation, it may be worth reviewing how your current funding arrangements are structured-and whether they are aligned to where your business is heading.

Get in touch

We work closely with a panel of over 50 lenders and help construction businesses to structure funding solutions that reflect how they operate – supporting growth without compromising cashflow. 

We’re just at the end of the phone, call us on 01634 386869.

The post Supporting Growth With Construction Finance appeared first on First Business Finance.

At First Business Finance, growth isn’t just a goal – it’s a commitment to better serve our clients, partners, and suppliers. We are thrilled to announce that we are relocating to new offices, marking an important milestone in our journey of expansion and enhanced service.

This move reflects our dedication to supporting UK businesses with flexible, tailored commercial finance solutions, delivered with a people-first approach.

What This Move Means for Our Clients and Suppliers

Our relocation brings tangible benefits for everyone we work with:

• Fast and efficient response times – ensuring your finance needs are met quickly.
• Personal service at scale – our commitment to long-term relationships remains unwavering.
• Enhanced team capacity – more experts to provide guidance and support.
• Broader funding solutions – expanded access to the right finance for your business.
• Access to both finance and insurance – through our sister company Readhunt, an independent corporate insurance broker, we provide quick personalised insurance solutions for 
  • Commercial Combined Policies
  • Professional indemnity
  • Directors & Officers (D&O)
  • Cyber insurance
  • Fleet & property cover
  • Sector-specific risk advice

Together, First Business Finance and Readhunt can act as an extension of your team: discreet, responsive and relationship-led.

A Word from Our Managing Director

Dave Jordan, Managing Director of First Business Finance, said:

“At First Business Finance, we are laser-focused on delivering the right commercial finance solutions for each client’s unique needs. We take great pride in the long-term, trusted relationships we build with both our clients, suppliers and funding partners. This move represents our continued investment in First Business Finance and, most importantly, in our team – ensuring we are perfectly positioned to deliver outstanding service and support to our clients.”

Looking Ahead: Same Commitment, New Opportunities

Our new office is more than just a location – it’s a platform for growth, collaboration, and better client service. While our address may be changing, our commitment remains unchanged:

• Providing smart, flexible finance solutions
• Supporting UK businesses with a people-first approach
• Strengthening relationships with clients, suppliers, and funding partners
• Extending services available from across SRT & Partners including insurance from Readhunt. 

We look forward to welcoming our clients, partners, and suppliers to our new offices very soon.

Come and visit us or get in touch on 01634 386869 or email us info@firstbusinessgroup.co.uk to find out how our expanded team and new office can support your business growth with flexible commercial finance solutions.

Our new address: Second Floor, The Fitted Rigging House South, Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ

The post First Business Finance has moved to New Offices: A Step Forward in our Business Growth and Service appeared first on First Business Finance.