Community lender BCRS Business Loans is marking another year of success having generated more than £53 million in economic growth across the West Midlands, surrounding areas and Wales through funding to underserved small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to its latest year-end figures, the not-for-profit community development finance institution, which focuses on supporting businesses in deprived areas and among underrepresented social groups, provided £10.2m in funding to 112 businesses during the 2025-26 financial year, up from £9.9m in the previous year.
The year-end results highlight the continued economic impact of its lending, with the Wolverhampton-based community lending specialist safeguarding 895 jobs and creating a further 260 new roles.
Overall economic contribution to the West Midlands and Wales rose significantly to more than £53.2m, up from £51.2m 12 months earlier, underscoring the growing reach and effectiveness of its support for SMEs.
Of the businesses supported, 25 per cent were female-led, 21 per cent were ethnic minority-led, and 40 per cent operated in the UK’s most disadvantaged areas.
Among those to benefit recently was Drive Ahead Bookkeeping, based in Shelton New Road, Stoke-on-Trent, which used funds secured from BCRS Business Loans to recruit a senior team member and invest in new office furniture as part of a strategy to increase turnover and profits.
The bookkeeping firm, which supports sole traders and small businesses across Cheshire and Staffordshire, was launched in 2020 by director Dave Shannon, who retrained following a 17-year career as a driving instructor.
Drive Ahead provides services including managing VAT returns, payroll services, credit control and profit management.
Dave said:
“We have been on a massive growth journey having started out as a sole trader to now employing seven staff, including an apprentice, so we were looking to consolidate on previous borrowing to recruit a senior accounts manager and invest in the office.
“BCRS Business Loans were very professional, treating us as a business on merit rather than employing an algorithm to make their decision. We were directed to speak with them through a commercial finance broker and were impressed that they took the time to visit us, which added a human element to a straightforward process so we would recommend them to other businesses.
“We believe we are now the biggest bookkeeping company in Staffordshire and are looking to further strengthen our position by growing our turnover and improving profitability.”
BCRS Business Loans chief executive Stephen Deakin said:
“We are delighted with this year’s performance, which reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting businesses when they need it most. Over the past financial year, we have continued to strengthen our impact – safeguarding more jobs, delivering significant economic growth, and contributing more than £53 million to the wider regional economy -demonstrating the vital role we play in helping small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive.”
BCRS is an active member of Responsible Finance, the trade association for the responsible finance industry which provides finance and support to help enterprises and individuals develop and create wealth including support to disadvantaged communities.
BCRS Business Loans operates as a delivery partner for two investment funds launched over the last 18 months. As part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II), operated by the British Business Bank, BCRS Business Loans distributes loans ranging from £25,000 to £100,000 across the West Midlands.
In Wales, BCRS Business Loans manages smaller loans through the Investment Fund for Wales (IFW), also operated by the British Business Bank, in the lender’s first expansion into the Principality. IFW offers smaller loans from £25,000 to £100,000, debt finance up to £2 million, and equity investment up to £5 million to support Welsh businesses.
Additionally, BCRS Business Loans is an accredited lender under The British Business Bank’s Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) Programme and has been allocated £20m to better support small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those in underserved communities, by increasing the availability of finance.
