Finance for the next chapter of your business

I owned and ran businesses for around 18 years, so I know how much rides on decisions like buying premises or taking over another business. My role is to help you understand the finance side clearly, so you can focus on whether the opportunity is right for you.

Buying a business vs buying commercial property

These two are often confused, but lenders treat them very differently.

Sometimes a deal includes both — such as buying a business along with the freehold it operates from. In that case, the finance may need to be structured in parts.

Purchasing business premises

Owning the building you trade from can give you more control over your future. We'll look at how a purchase might be structured, the deposit typically required, how lenders may assess your business income and whether ownership through a company, trust or personally is being considered. For ownership structure and tax, I'll recommend you speak with your accountant and solicitor.

Commercial property investment

Commercial investment properties are assessed differently to residential. Lenders often look closely at the lease — its length, the tenant and the rental income — as well as the property type and location. Deposit requirements, loan terms and interest rates can differ too. I'll help you understand how lenders may view the property you're considering.

Buying an existing business

Whether you're buying the business you've worked in for years or something entirely new, lenders will usually want to see:

• The business's financial statements and tax returns for recent years
• The sale contract, including the price and what's included
• Your experience in the industry or in running a business
• A business plan or cash flow forecast (sometimes)
• What security is available, such as property

We'll go through what's likely to be needed before you commit, so there are fewer surprises. Read: what to prepare before applying →

Business expansion

Fitting out a second site, building a new shed, buying out a partner or investing in growth? We'll talk about the plan, the costs and the expected return, and explore which types of finance may suit — from term loans to asset finance — while keeping an eye on how repayments fit your cash flow.

Refinancing existing commercial or business lending

If your commercial loan is coming up for review, your business has changed, or you're juggling several facilities with different lenders, a review may help. We'll look at the full picture — rates, fees, terms, security and covenants — and whether a change makes sense.

Structure, security and information depend on the deal

There's no one checklist for commercial and business lending. The loan structure, the security a lender requires and the financial information it needs will depend on the transaction, the business and the lender's policies. Part of my job is to work that out with you early and help you present a clear, organised application.

Good to know: Commercial and business finance is subject to lender assessment, terms and conditions. I don't provide legal, tax or accounting advice — I'll happily work alongside your accountant and solicitor.