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Truro-based Ignition, a leading provider of vehicle and asset finance for UK SMEs, is welcoming a new Business Development Manager to its growing team.  Ele Smith is already an active member of the business community in the South West region, previously working at Santander as Director of Transactional Banking and Liquidity for Bristol, Devon and Cornwall. 

Ignition offers finance for a wide range of business assets from plant and machinery to vehicles and business equipment, as well providing general business loans. In her new role at the company, Ele will be supporting SMEs from a wide variety of sectors, helping Ignition to further consolidate its strong customer base across the South West region. 

Ele brings with her 27 years of experience in the finance sector with Santander, where in her most recent role she focused on developing deposit product and transactional banking business for Santander UK in the South West region, driving new to bank business and supporting Relationship Directors as a product specialist.

Ele Smith comments:

“SME’s are hugely important to the South West economy, accounting for almost half the region’s employment.  I’m excited to be working with and championing these businesses in my new role, providing the financial support they need to help them grow and thrive.”

 Paul Caunter, Managing Director at Ignition comments:

“We’re thrilled to have Ele on board. She is highly regarded in the business community and has a strong track-record for delivering excellent solutions and forging lasting relationships with clients.   Ele’s appointment provides a further boost to our skilled and committed team, and will help us build on our success across key markets and sectors.”

Take a look at our Summer Newsletter for the latest news from the Ignition team! Click here.

Paul Caunter reviews the 2019 Spring Statement and explores the measures most likely to affect SMEs:

With a backdrop of ‘clouds of uncertainty’ over Brexit, Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement was surprisingly positive for UK SMEs, but on the proviso that the country manages to avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario.

• Tackling late payments

The Chancellor pledged to tackle the problem of late payments, which continue to affect cash flow for SMEs.  Large companies will need an audit committee, led by a non-executive director, to report on payment practices when dealing with small businesses in their annual accounts.

• Energy efficiency

The Statement also included a pledge to help small businesses cut their carbon emissions and lower their energy bills.  The Chancellor called for evidence on the Business Energy Efficiency Scheme, to see how the government might support investment in energy efficiency measures.

• Apprenticeships

Acknowledging the financial difficulties the Apprenticeship Levy places on small and medium sized businesses, the Chancellor announced he will be bringing forward his plan to provide £700 million to help SMEs invest in apprenticeships. From 1st April, the co-investment amount paid by employers will reduce from 10% cent to 5%.

• Digital competition rules

The Chancellor also announced that he will respond later in the year to findings from a report into competition rules for the digital age, with a view to boosting competition and innovation for the benefit of consumers and businesses.

For further information on any of these points, don’t hesitate to contact the Ignition team on 01872 272900.