work is becoming more common as businesses and their customers become more conscious of carbon footprints. “We’re assisting customers who don’t want to hold too much inventory by funding assets that enable just-in-time production.” Jamie Nelson, director at Compass Business Finance, has seen similar patterns: “We’ve seen a continued trend toward investments that improve efficiency and sustainability, such as energy-saving equipment or workflow automation, rather than capacity-driven purchases.” At the same time, Nelson acknowledges that the borrowing environment has changed. “The past year has been shaped by rising interest rates and a cautious approach from many lenders,” Nelson explains. This has made flexibility and speed more important than ever, according to Nelson, as it pushes businesses to seek finance partners who understand their sector and can move quickly when opportunities arise. Finance as a Strategic Tool Looking ahead, finance is set to play an even more central role in how print and sign-making businesses operate. Nelson believes the key to using funding effectively in 2026 will be strategic thinking, saying that finance should support broader business objectives, whether that involves upgrading technology, investing in software, restructuring existing borrowing, or even exploring mergers and acquisitions to increase market share. This broader perspective is echoed by Tom Naidu, commercial finance adviser at SPF Private Clients (which is part of the Howden Group), who highlights the importance of finance in providing certainty during uncertain times. In an increasingly globalised yet fragmented economy, funding can help businesses manage overseas supply chains, absorb rising employment and tax costs, and ensure continuity during quieter trading periods. For many, it is no longer about chasing growth at all costs, but about building resilience. Naidu says: “The focus over the last year in particular has been around commission disclosures. Whilst a number of lenders and brokerages have been concerned over the repercussions of the Supreme Court ruling, SPF has always disclosed our income from transactions. This has enabled us to maintain positive relationships with both clients and lenders. “Alongside this, we have seen a large amount of liquidity amongst lenders who have struggled to deploy it, due to uncertainties in the market around valuations and underwriting. This has led to new lenders with very innovative products, particularly around unsecured loans, asset finance, and invoice discounting.” Philbrick also emphasises that finance isn’t just about a 10% deposit and a fiveyear plan, pointing to more tailored options for borrowers such as seasonal payments. Crucially, all three finance providers stress that the most effective finance solutions begin with a conversation. Understanding a business’s goals, cash flow, and FINANCE AND FUNDING | DAVID OSGAR ► Paul Philbrick, managing director of Close Brothers’ print team SPF Private Clients become a part of the Howden Group in 2022 2022 A frequent misconception is that finance is only for bigticket equipment purchases. In reality, it can cover a wide range of needs, from improving cash flow and monthly headroom to software and workflow upgrades 46 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 263 - February | March 2026
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