The chief executive of BCRS Business Loans has been appointed onto the board of The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to improve access to suitable business finance across the region.
Paul Kalinauckas, who lives in Wellington, has been at the helm of regional lender BCRS Business Loans since it was founded in 2002. Sixteen years later, the not-for-profit Community Benefit Society has supported the growth of over 1240 businesses with loans totalling £40 million.
With such a successful background in improving access to finance for SMEs right across the West Midlands and surrounding areas, Paul has been asked to set up a new Working Group for the LEP.
Paul, who was crowned as Outstanding Leader of the Year by Responsible Finance in 2016, said:
“I am delighted and humbled to have been elected onto the Marches LEP’s board, which is the body responsible for driving economic growth across the region.
“In my experience, business owners are looking for someone to believe in their business and provide them with the funding they need to grow and prosper. As we have found at BCRS Business Loans, not only does this benefit individual businesses themselves but also the wider economy by providing additional employment opportunities for local people.
“I have a passion for improving access to finance. I’ll be setting up a Working Group to develop ideas on how we can achieve this, so if you are interested in joining it, please let me know”.
Board chairman Graham Wynn said he was delighted to welcome Paul Kalinauckas and three other members to the Marches LEP team.
“The range of skills and expertise which all four new members bring to the Marches LEP will be of enormous help as we continue to drive economic growth across the region.
“I have no doubt that these four new appointments represent a significant strengthening of the board and look forward to working with each of them in the years to come.”
BCRS Business Loans believes that no viable business in the West Midlands and surrounding areas should be left unsupported. Loans from £10,000 to £150,000 are available for growing businesses that are struggling to access finance from traditional lenders. A relationship based approach to lending and no early repayment fees are a standard benefit of all loans from BCRS Business Loans.
For more information about The Marches LEP, visit www.marcheslep.org.uk. For more information about BCRS Business Loans and how it can support the growth of local businesses, visit www.bcrs.org.uk.
