Barclays launches ‘Back to Business’ toolkit for SMEs

Barclays has today launched a toolkit to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK get back on their feet as they navigate the uncertainty created by coronavirus.

The ‘Barclays Back to Business’ programme has been designed in partnership with the Cambridge Judge Business School and is open to all UK SMEs, in addition to the bank’s one million small business customers.

With nearly two thirds of businesses* (65 per cent) reporting that they will change their business practises in response to coronavirus, the bank hopes that the programme will provide SMEs with the support they need to adapt.

The toolkit has been piloted with one hundred businesses from different sectors over the last few weeks ahead of a full trial launch on 22 June, with everyone from farmers to hairdressers trialling the programme.

The kit is designed to help business owners assess the overall health of their enterprise, and create a tailored resilience plan for challenging periods.

It is packed with practical tools including a working capital calculator, cash flow forecasts, and guidance on managing supply chain relationships.

Hannah Bernard (pictured), head of Barclays Business Banking, said: “We’re proud to provide a platform for business owners to hone their skills and access vital resources as businesses across the country continue to be impacted by coronavirus. We stand behind UK businesses and are always looking for new ways to provide help and support to entrepreneurs, business owners and sole traders across the country.”

The toolkit is the latest measure in a package of support rolled out by the High Street bank to support SMEs during this time. Barclays has facilitated £16.7 billion into the economy through Government lending schemes, delivering vital aid to businesses during the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the bank also launched a ‘Get Local’ partnership with Nextdoor, the neighbourhood hub, to help SMEs promote their skills and services to their local community in a safe way, and let them know that they are open for business.

Businesses can find out more about the Back to Business toolkit and sign up here.

Comments

Meet five advisers who’ll help your business become ‘fit for finance’

Meet five advisers who’ll help your business become ‘fit for finance’ Charlie Gilbert Content Manager Enterprise Nation In our previous post, we covered the topic of how to use any money you raise – with the services of advisers being a crucial area small businesses should consider investing in. These services, however, are often needed before a business applies for funding. Take financial advisers and accountants, for example. Their job isn’t solely about helping you keep on top of your incomings and outgoings; it’s also about making you ‘fit for finance’ – in other words, helping position you as an attractive prospect to lenders or investors. They do this in myriad ways – from increasing profitability by helping you run your business more efficiently, to improving cashflow by advising on, and helping you implement, processes that keep cash in your business (automated payment collections, for example, or credit control). Some advisers will ensure you’re set up to scale by coaching

Fund offers £60 million for businesses looking into sustainable technologies

Fund offers £60 million for businesses looking into sustainable technologies Businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are looking to develop innovative technology in the energy sector can now bid for a share of up to £60 million in grant funding through the IETF Phase 2: Autumn 2021 competition window. The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is targeted at feasibility and engineering studies, as well as the deployment of industrial energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects. Funding will be available to businesses for: Studies - feasibility and engineering studies to investigate identified energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects prior to an investment decision. Energy Efficiency projects - deployment of technologies to reduce industrial energy consumption. Deep Decarbonisation projects - deployment of technologies to achieve industrial emissions savings. Applications are open

What Is the Difference Between Bookkeeping and Accounting?

What Is the Difference Between Bookkeeping and Accounting? Bookkeeping encompasses organising and recording financial information, while accounting involves taking the data, summarising it, analysing, consulting and reporting. This blog will outline the differences that exist between accounting and bookkeeping in detail so that you can tell them apart. Differences between a bookkeeper and accountant An accountancy firm is tasked with the work of assessing and interpreting the financial data of a particular company and reporting on it. For this reason, it’s worth noting that an accountant has greater skill sets compared to a bookkeeper. A bookkeeper has the primary responsibility of handling the recording of financial transactions of a company. An accountant has to hold a certification or degree in CPA. Moreover, his/her salary is better than that of a bookkeeper. In the real sense, a bookkeeper reports to an accountant. On the other hand, a bookkeeper does not need to have any formal

Grant McKnight Blog

Search This Blog