Which leaders inspire you for International Leadership Week?

This International Leadership Week, we asked the Senior Leadership Team to share their favourite quotes that inspire and drive them in how they lead the company and their teams.

Optimum Finance Recognised for Exponential Growth Potential by Innovate UK

We're delighted to announce that we've been accepted onto the UK government’s Innovate UK Scaleup Programme. The programme is designed to support highly innovative, ambitious, high-growth oriented companies.

Directors’ duties – Minimising risk in uncertain times

Many business owners have faced challenges over the past year and have found themselves with liabilities. Heather Bamforth from Armstrong Watson explains how directors can minimise any risk arising in this situation.

Former Small Business Commissioner Philip King joins Optimum Finance

Philip, who was also the former Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, aims to champion not only the benefits of invoice finance as a cashflow funding tool, but also the advantages of early settlement in building stronger supply chain relationships.

We've smashed our charity goal for Cancer Research UK

The amazing Optimum Finance team have raised a staggering amount for Cancer Research UK by running the Great Bristol 10K.

Are your debtors giving you the run-around? Red flags and how to deal with them

We’ve seen it all and it’s made us experts at recognising the warning signs that indicate you might be about to encounter issues. It is vital that you have effective credit management to ensure your hard work turns into cash in your bank account and not just a profit figure on a set of accounts!

We've bolstered our presence in the Midlands with a new hire

We've welcomed Ewan Clarke as Regional Director for the Midlands to support businesses seeking additional finance for sustained growth, business recovery and turnaround.

Staff Spotlight - Caroline Collins

Our team work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep funding accessible to our clients for when they need it. We spoke to Caroline, our Audit Manager to find out a little bit more about her role and why audits are so important to keeping funding open.

Running for Cancer Research UK

This September Team Optimum will be running the Bristol 10K in support of our chosen charity, Cancer Research UK.

Fours signs of a great Relationship Manager. What should you expect from your invoice financier?

Relationship Manager, Kerry, gives us her insight into the level of service you should expect from your invoice finance provider.

Staff Spotlight - Reuben Keating

Assistant Accountant, Reuben, tells us about his role including pressing the big GO button on the hundreds of thousands of pounds we advance to clients.

Avoiding credit risk and improving your cash flow

Worried about credit risk? Know-it CEO, Lynne Darcey Quigley, shares her expert advice on avoiding credit risk and improving cash flow.

We've expanded to better service businesses in the North.

Paul Green is the latest in a series of appointments as we expand to better service our UK wide client base. Paul joins Optimum as the new Regional Director for the North.

The most important thing I’ve learnt from supporting thousands of businesses

It may seem fairly straight forward and obvious, but managing cash is not always as easy as cash in vs cash out.

Evi joins the team as our new Product Owner

Evi joins the Optimum team as a Product Owner focusing on delivering our constantly improving, technology-based functions.

Guest blog: Understanding the financial position of your business

Our friends at accountancy firm Armstrong Watson share their advice on understanding your business’s financial position and how to use this new knowledge in planning your next steps.

Additional funding options now available thanks to new partnership

We've joined forces with Just Cashflow to support SMEs with even greater access to funding. The partnership will give new and existing clients access to Revolving Credit and more via Just Cashflow.

Is the UK about to see a wave of insolvencies?

Regional Director, Iain Hendry, explores the possibility of a wave of insolvencies put forward in a report by the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB)

We've bolstered our tech team with additional hires

This week sees the arrival of two additional software developers to the Optimum Finance team. Muharrem Hatiboglu and Mohammad Redwan Ahmed have joined the team at an exciting time.

Welcoming new Commercial Team Executive, Krystal Eddy, to the team

We’re overjoyed to welcome Krystal Eddy to the team. Krystal has joined our Commercial Team to make onboarding as smooth and simple as possible for our new clients.

Vicky Williams appointed CFO tipping the balance to a female majority SLT

We're delighted to announce the appointment of Vicky Williams, as Chief Financial Officer filling the final slot in the Senior Leadership Team, with women holding a 60% majority.

Round table: Can invoice finance save the day?

We brought together business leaders and industry experts to discuss the role that invoice finance could play as we emerge from the COVID-19 recession.

Leading the drive in introducing invoice finance to more businesses through collaboration.

“For the good of SMEs, we need to work as allies.” This week Optimum Finance hosted the first gathering of finance heads to discuss how the invoice finance industry can help more businesses.

8 reasons why you’ll love our customer service

Get the customer service you deserve with a dedicated Relationship Manager who understands your business. The help and guidance you receive is what could make or break your funding.

Staff Spotlight - Jake Platts

After keeping our laptops and MS teams meetings running for the last two years, Jake now works to make new clients’ onboarding experience as easy and hassle free as possible.

How does Invoice Finance work?

Invoice finance doesn't have to be daunting. Watch this short video to learn exactly how it works and how it could help your business.

Where can SMEs go when the big banks can’t help?

The current economic climate has already seen many funders close their doors or decrease their lending amounts. This is a blow to the SME community but there are still options out there.

Our take on the 2021 UK budget and how it could affect SMEs

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has announced the 2021 budget. We take a look at one of the biggest announcements for SMEs, the Recovery Loan Scheme

Optimum Finance scores ex-Microsoft Director as new CTO

We're happy to announce the appointment Gordon McIntosh, as Chief Technical Officer furthering their specialism in the FinTech space.

Why the Prompt Payment Code could be Anti-SME

CEO of Optimum Finance Anthony Persse, argues that the new rules in the Prompt Payment Code may actually be detrimental to the SMEs that they’re designed to protect.

Staff spotlight - Katy Richardson

We had a chat with Katy, one of our fantastic Relationship Managers, to hear more about her role at Optimum Finance.

Staff spotlight - Sian Ware

We caught up with Assistant Relationship Manager Sian to hear how it’s all going, having celebrated her two-year anniversary with us in November:

Staff spotlight - Sherie Culley

Meet Sherie. Sherie is our Head of Operations and has been with Optimum Finance for two and a half years.

Unsung hero of the pandemic: Anze

Optimum Finance client Anze, manufactures reusable gowns for doctors, nurses and patients, plus drapes and scrub suits. They are at the very heart of the fight to overcome Covid, whose services are playing a vital role in the ongoing battle with the virus.

Reporting on the financial impact on SMEs of the pandemic and forecasts the outlook to March 2021.

Leading invoice finance provider Optimum Finance reports on the financial first half-year impact on SMEs of the pandemic and forecasts the outlook to March 2021.

Staff spotlight - Ivan Zlatkov

Meet Ivan! Ivan is one of our Financial Controllers and has been with Optimum Finance since August 2019.

Staff spotlight - Beth Wilson

Beth is our superstar Assistant Relationship Management Team Leader and has been with Optimum since 2017.

Optimum Finance Looks Ahead to 2021 with predictions for SMEs

After possibly the most challenging and tumultuous year for business in living memory, Optimum Finance CEO Anthony Persse looks ahead to the next 12 months:

Optimum Finance unveils new website as part of new CEO’s strategic vision

Leading invoice finance provider Optimum Finance has unveiled a new website that facilitates instant funding decisions as part of an updated strategic vision.

Advice for businesses looking for turnaround and recovery support

Andy Phillips, regional sales director at Optimum Finance, gives his advice to businesses experiencing a downturn in their performance and looking for turnaround and recovery support.

Lynn-Marie Jameson on how we can help in a turnaround situation

We caught up with CCO Lynn-Marie Jameson to find out how we support companies that are experiencing problems.

Optimum Finance bolsters its offering in three regions with two new sales directors and commercial director promotion

More industry heavyweights for Optimum Finance

Anthony Persse appointed as new CEO for Optimum Finance

Optimum Finance appoints Anthony Persse as new CEO

Fast industry first web app service helps intermediary win deals

We caught up with Glenn Blackman, partner at FundInvoice LLP, to discuss how using our web app service has bolstered their offering.

Transport and haulage firm appoints Optimum Finance to support invoice payments

Alex Hayward Managing Director at 14 Day UK Ltd, discusses how using Optimum Finance’s invoice finance services helped his business through Covid-19.

Optimum Finance appoints three new industry heavyweights

Bristol and London-based invoice finance provider and fintech firm Optimum Finance has appointed three industry experts to bolster its offering.

Webinar: Finance and risk mitigation – everything you need to know to support financial health

Leading UK invoice finance firm Optimum Finance is hosting a free online webinar for SME owners and managers whose businesses have been adversely affected, financially or otherwise, by the coronavirus pandemic and would like to know how to best to support their financial health.

Five benefits for intermediaries using our web app

Our latest innovation in the invoice finance market is designed with intermediaries in mind.

Introducing our web app for intermediaries

We are extremely excited to introduce our brand new web app for intermediaries.

From Pandemic to Profit

Optimum Finance CEO Richard Pepler offers strategies to SMEs in planning for recovery

New funding line to provide support for SMEs during the coronavirus crisis

Leading UK invoice finance firm Optimum Finance has announced a new funding line increase to £16 million as it strives to provide small and medium businesses with access to immediate funds to enable a long-term healthy cash flow position.

Companies and coronavirus – what to do if you run a UK SME

The Budget scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday 11 March) looks set to be a defining moment in the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 global outbreak.

Healthcare business support package

We have launched a support service designed for firms in the healthcare sector called Optimum Medic.

The Budget breakdown – what SMEs need to know

In addition to the emergency interest rate cut announced by The Bank of England today (11 March) from 0.75% to 0.25% which will make borrowing cheaper for businesses, here’s a rundown of key Budget measures which will affect small and medium businesses

Myth busting – Open Banking explained

Open Banking is a financial technology (fintech) term. It refers to the process where open APIs (application programme interface) can be used by third parties to build digital applications which can perform a range of tasks and functions to facilitate the sharing of financial data.

Hope & Ivy video case study

We visited our London based customer, designer fashion brand Hope & Ivy, to speak to company founder Beth Chilton about the business, and why they decided to leave their bank to begin working with us here at Optimum Finance.

Be honest. Are you a distracted director?

It’s important to take stock of how you spend your time and regularly assess whether you are working as effectively as possible.

Adan Limited video case study

We visited one of our customers Adan Limited based in Boston, Linconshire and spoke to managing director Steve Plaskitt about his business, the industry and how our services such as factoring and cash flow have improved cash flow for the company.

Optimum Finance's credit controllers relieve manufactory firm, Adan Ltd, management team of chasing payments and admin tasks

Optimum Finance has delivered a specially tailored credit control and debtor protection service to Adan Limited since 2018

Optimum Finance help fashion manufacturer pay suppliers to enable business growth

Dragon’s Den success story Hope and Ivy has achieved faster, more sustainable growth with the support of a flexible invoice finance package from Optimum Finance.

Optimum Finance continues UK-wide expansion with appointment of new regional sales director

Invoice finance firm Optimum Finance has appointed Lynn-Marie Stephenson as regional sales director for the North, highlighting the company’s continued nationwide growth.

Meet the team: COO Claire Lewis

The team at Optimum Finance is comprised of knowledgeable and professional invoice finance experts with a wealth of experience between them and the entrepreneurial skillsets to support our customers in securing the right cash flow and working capital solutions to drive growth.

Optimising the road to growth Optimum Finance supports MBO deal for landscaping and road maintenance firm ATM

Invoice finance specialist Optimum Finance has provided funding to support an MBO by leading UK vegetation management, fencing and landscaping firm ATM.

What does a healthy business look like? Top assessment criteria

It’s a common story. A new business is launched, proves a big hit, grows quickly and appears to be a huge success. It takes on more staff, moves into a bigger premises, attracts bigger contracts, then suddenly, out of the blue, it collapses.

Invoice finance firm announces partnership with leading provider of finance directors

Specialist lender [Optimum Finance](https://optimumfinance.co.uk/) has announced a collaboration with [Tectona Partnership](http://tectonapartnership.com/) to broaden its business support offering and complement its range of services.

Invoice finance firm unveils dedicated credit management service designed to help SMEs get invoices paid faster

Optimum Finance is launching a dedicated credit management service in a bid to tackle the slow payment of invoices which plagues many thousands of UK small and medium businesses.

UK Bookbinders benefit from Optimum Finance's team advice and invoice discounting service to ease the way the company collects debtors and setting-up debtor collection agency

The Weston-super-Mare based company, UK Book Binders, has been print finishing for over 40 years, and have a combined experience of over 250 years in the trade. We have been working with them to support their extended growth.

Optimum Finance invests in market leading Open Banking and Open Accounting technology to improve financial processes for UK SMEs

Fast growth firm Optimum Finance is leading the UK invoice finance market by incorporating cutting edge technological solutions into its client approvals, onboarding process and financial reporting systems.

Optimum App Featured

A business news site recently featured the Optimum Finance app for SMEs ([original article](http://www.bristol-business.net/app-with-a-snap-decision-on-funding-for-smes-developed-by-optimum-finance/)) > Bristol-based invoice finance firm Optimum Finance has launched its industry’s first app aimed at accountants to empower them to gain almost immediate funding approval for their small business clients.

Why drinks brands should use invoice finance as a business pick-me-up

The UK drinks market has been experiencing a boom in recent years, the gin category alone reached record highs in the summer of 2019 with sales, both home and abroad, peaking at £2.2 billion, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Mind the Gap: Optimum Finance warns SMEs to uphold their payment terms

Inconsistent payment terms resulting in cash flow pressure and an opaque financial outlook are the key findings of a survey of SME businesses in the South West.

Further expansion and investment in new technology for invoice finance firm as SMEs continue to seek new funding sources

Specialist in SME finance Optimum Finance has published its first quarter results for 2019 to show growth of 15% in Q1 over Q4 in 2018, and 166% growth compared to Q1 in 2018, as small and medium-sized enterprises continue the upwards trend of using invoice finance and factoring services to manage cash flow.

Invoice finance for the modern business – SMEs are embracing a new way of working: it’s called a relationship

The expectation of invoice finance as a business function is evolving into something much deeper, it’s no longer just about the money.

Building strong partnerships with accountants

Accountants are key influencers when it comes to the management of their clients’ finances. They have a huge impact on SME clients and how funding solutions can contribute to commercial business success.

Recruitment firm benefit from Optimum Finances services to help pay employees

Darcy Associates is a speclialist recruitment agency for construction workers. The company had worked with other finance companies, however, no one could keep up with their growth. When we started with working with Darcy Associates we immediately supported the businesses growths and values which helps them keep to their USP of paying workers before paying themselves.

3Ks Engineering uses Optimum Finance's factoring service to help ease cash flow

We have been working with 3Ks Engineering Company Ltd for six months now and in this short time we have helped to improve their cash flow so they can focus on continuing to provide a fantastic quality service to their customers

Overview of the Credit market

To put 2019 in perspective we need to take a look back. In the 3rd quarter 2009, Credit Insurance losses on failed businesses peaked at £89m for the UK. This was the delayed effect of 2008’s bubble bursting and set a new record.

Why small businesses fail and how to avoid it

It’s no secret that the survival of small business can be challenging for entrepreneurs in the UK — only four in ten businesses survive past the five year mark of running the business.

SME owners should pass a business ‘driving’ test before they can set up a new company

More than half of new UK businesses don’t survive beyond their first five years and while SME owners will readily blame the tax system, lack of bank lending or late payments, often the failure is down to something much more basic – bad financial management

Optimum Finance and TML work together to support Alltek's billing cycle and provide additional funding.

We have now been working in partnership with finance brokers [TML Finance and Advisory](https://www.tml.uk.net/) for over a year and we’re proud to say that between us we have established a significant roster of clients across a wide range of industries.

The British Distillers Alliance: Prevention is better than cure when it comes to your financial pipeline

The UK drinks market has boomed in recent years. The gin category alone achieved record sales of £2.2 billion in the summer of 2018 according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), while the whisky market has seen an increase in sales of premium blends of 3.1 per cent.

Optimum Finance SME trend analysis: SMEs post strong summer performance bucking the seasonal downturn

Invoice finance firm Optimum Finance has reported a summer boom for SMEs in the South West compared to growth in previous years and since the Brexit decision two years ago.

How to prepare after winning a new contract

It’s that dream contract that could transform your business. A major new deal that is going to ignite growth and propel your company to the next level.

Brexit bull

If there’s a horse at Cheltenham this week called ‘Brexit Bull’ I strongly urge you to put a hefty bet on it. It’s sure to be a good runner.

Managing Your Relationships with Creditors and Debtors

All businesses have trading relationships with both suppliers and customers. Suppliers who extend credit to your business by letting you pay for goods or services after you receive them are your creditors.

Importance of due diligence and the “Short Firm Fraud”

In this blog post we highlight a sophisticated scam, which targets trade suppliers of goods, often early stage companies building a client book. Small companies are being advised to be vigilant by increasingly sophisticated frauds such as the one explained below.