The future for Small Businesses
Covid has deeply affected and changed how banking services are provided in many ways, particularly banks interactions with small businesses during this challenging and uncertain period; in this webcast, we will discuss the measures small businesses have taken, in order to survive and the economic decisions they have had to face.
In 2020, SME’s made up 99.3% of the UK’s total business, how has the Small Business ecosystem faired during the disruption brought by the pandemic? A recent Financial Times article revealed that almost 100,000 more businesses were found to be significantly distressed in the first three months of the year compared with the previous quarter, despite the ban on winding-up petitions linked to Covid-related debts.
So, what does the future look like for small businesses?
During this webcast, our Chair and esteemed panellists will discuss:
- If the UK Government’s 'Pay As You Grow' scheme is delivering for Small businesses and whether it will continue to do so?
- The level of support provided to self-employed small business owners.
- The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) request for the UK Government to place small firms at the hub of plans for our economy's recovery.
Why should I attend?
During this webcast, our panellists will discuss how the financial impact of Covid-19 has affected small businesses and how it will shape the future for small Businesses.
Who should attend?
Members working in UK business banking roles.
Members now working as advisers and consultants in/to banks and businesses.
Students studying subjects including commercial lending.
Chair
Bill is Principal of McCall & Partners, a strategic corporate finance advisory business he founded in 1999.
He is a seasoned independent Director and has been Chairman of more than 50 private equity backed companies. His current portfolio includes 5 Norwegian, US and UK based Energy and Tech/Service related businesses. He has chaired Listed and Private Company boards in the UK, Nordic region and North America.
View Bill's LinkedIn profile
Panellists
Originally from the Ukraine, Lina lived in Russia for over a decade before moving to London and quickly establishing herself as a successful business woman and a great achiever.
Lina is an Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion who believes in collaboration, cooperation and working together. In 2015 she set up regular networking events for women in business. As a result of her work she was appointed as a member of the National Taskforce “Women in Enterprise” which was set up by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). She was responsible for work undertaken by the FSB Women in the Greater London region. Today Lina is the National Diversity Chair of the FSB and she promotes and supports small businesses across the UK.
Bryan is an experienced NED with listed, financial services, public sector organisations and innovative SMEs. He is currently an advisor to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). In addition Bryan mentors growth company founders and numerous senior executives into NED roles.
As these new SME businesses are more likely technology and data based (e.g. AI, IoT, Blockchain etc), they grow quickly through partnerships with much larger organisations and financial backers. Supporting international growth and regulatory compliance are key issues for Bryan’s mentoring.
Bryan is also a Visiting Professor with Bristol Business School and co-Founder of the Risk Coalition (members include the Chartered Bankers Institute) publishing Risk Guidance and benchmarking for boards, risk committees, CRO’s and Risk Functions – most recently with an ESG and technology transformation focus.
Having worked for nearly 30 years in banking, during which time she gained invaluable experience in customer service, regulated activities and business credit, Helen joined LendingCrowd in 2014 as the fintech lending platform’s first employee. Helen gained her fellowship of the Institute in 2017 and was appointed as Chairperson of the Membership Forum in 2021 and is Past Chair of Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife District Centre.
- Career banker of 32 years with the Natwest Group, spanning Branches, Large Corporates, Commercial & SME Business franchises
- Qualified Chartered Banker, who specialises in Credit risk / problem debt restructuring, and has 14 years’ experience in a leadership role - leading
- Has multi-brand experience, and actively mentors a number of Women in Business fulfil their potential and realise their dream.
- Have worked in Services (B2B), Logistics and Not for Profit Sectors as well as an active member on a number of advisory forums.
- Married, 3 kids, 5 dogs, 3 cats and 15 Tortoises - and no, its not a farm – albeit sometimes feels like it!
1:00 PM - 2:00PM UK BST
To register, please click here.
If you experience any difficulties please email [email protected]