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We're Hiring!

steve@lakelandfinance.co.uk (Steve Dunne) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:03:19 GMT

We are currently seeking a committed and ambitious individual to join our team as an ‘administrator.’

Working within our Kendal Office, you will be responsible for providing administration support to our team of Commercial relationship Managers in the ongoing funding applications of our clients.

The role will include:
Liaising with agents, solicitors, accountants as well as other professional connections and introducers.
Liaising with clients and our relationship managers to gather and process information.
Providing support to clients through the loan application process.
Providing regular updates to our team of relationship managers.
Working with our CRM and in house back-office systems.

To be successful in this position you will:
Have good written and oral communication skills.
Be computer literate and proficient in Excel, Word and Outlook.
Have excellent organisational skills.
Be accurate with good attention to detail.
Work well within a successful team environment.
Be able to manage your own workload effectively.

Full training will be provided but the successful applicant must be able to work in a fast paced and busy office environment.

Our normal hours of work are 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday, however, full and part time positions will be considered.

We offer a competitive holiday allowance, with salary dependant on experience. Successful applicants will also have the additional benefit of the companies attractive bonus structure.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV to info@lakelandcommercial.finance

Welcoming our New Commercial Finance Consultant

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 16:34:49 GMT

An exciting year ahead as we explore new commercial funding options.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mark Lowther to the Lakeland Commercial team. As I am sure you will all be aware, Mark has been in commercial banking for many years with Barclays, HSBC, and the last 11 years with Handelsbanken.

Mark now joins Lakeland Commercial operating as a consultant from our Kendal office covering South Lakeland. Mark’s many years of experience will prove a great asset to Lakeland Commercial as we continue to grow our presence and profile to give customers an alternative one stop shop for all their commercial borrowing needs.

To quote Mark: “I’m delighted to be joining the business as I feel that customers deserve to be aware that there are credible and viable alternatives available to fund their borrowing requirements other than their existing bank”

Mark’s joining the company comes at the same time as we prepare to acquire larger premises in Kendal to act as our new head office in conjunction with our other local offices across Cumbria and Lancashire. As part of our growth, we are also hiring additional administrative staff for new roles located in our new Kendal head office.

As a team we are looking forward to working with our existing customers and welcoming new ones as we continue to offer a highly valued service across the region with a vast array of commercial lending solutions.

Accessing Funding for Agricultural Businesses

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:40:51 GMT

Whether you are looking to refinance, expand, diversify or just need the money to buy some stock or machinery, there are a range of funders and funding options out there.

As I am sure you will agree, it has been increasingly difficult to get funding over the last 5+ years. This is due to a number of factors including changes in Financial Services Regulations, a reduction in local Relationship Managers across the high street Banks as well as some difficult periods experienced in the Agricultural industry.

With changes already underway to subsidy payments, Agricultural businesses are facing a significant change in their income streams with a potential impact on profitability. This makes it the perfect time to sit down and look at what you want to do with the business going forward and what financial support you need to do it.

For many, you may simply want to continue as you are, in which case this could mean working with your professional advisors to ensure you are on the best schemes available for your farm and review your costs. Whilst looking at costs don’t overlook your existing borrowing. Restructuring your debt commitments could reduce your monthly outgoings and improve cashflow.

For others you may want to expand the existing business. Does this mean buying more sheep/cows, more storage sheds, increased feed costs? Work out the numbers before approaching a funder or broker. How much additional income will there be and what are the associated costs – net profit and cash generation are key to borrowing for expansion.

Maybe you want to go big?! If you have a successful operation you may want to replicate it on another farm.

Perhaps you are considering diversification. As a result of Covid, the last 18 months has seen a boom in “staycations” and the popularity of UK holidays looks set to continue. There are a huge range of leisure and tourism diversification options available to agricultural businesses.

Everything from pods and holiday cottages through to outdoor adventure centres and forest schools can provide you with an additional income stream and can be very successful if they are planned and managed well.

Do your homework! Put the time into planning for your funding proposal, make sure that your idea will work for you and your business, not just financially. Cover off the risks, don’t just assume that everything will go to plan. Build in a contingency – will it still work if sheep prices drop by £15 per head, if milk price drops to 26ppl or your holiday cottage occupancy rates are 40%.

At Lakeland Commercial Finance we work closely with all the high street Banks as well as specialist Agricultural Banks and Finance providers, with access to exclusive funding options for our customers.

We have access to a range of products including short term finance which would enable you complete a diversification project or could be used to purchase a new farm whilst yours is on the market so that you don’t miss out!

We can access 25 year money which gives you the peace of mind that your interest rate will not be changed throughout that period (unfortunately we can’t say the same about Bank of England rates!). We can even work flexibility around how and when you make your loan repayments so it aligns with your business’ seasonality and cashflow.

When looking at a diversification project you may want to keep this as a stand alone business which could enable you to access funders who may not normally be associated with Agricultural businesses but who may be able to to lend for the new business venture.

Perhaps you are looking to build a property on your land for family, even with an agricultural tie, we have funders who are able to support you with this.

You may just need to free up some cash or want to buy some machinery from a neighbour. There are a range of asset backed funding options available for cash release, second hand machinery purchases, privately purchased machinery, even new machines.

There are many funding options available and it may be that this is the first time you are looking somewhere other than your existing Bank for finance. With experienced Agricultural Relationship Managers in our team who understand the industry, we work with you and our panel of funders to source the best finance package for your business.

You will already be working with professional advisors, such as accountants, solicitors, land agents and consultants who are experts in their field. We are experts in our field of finance and we are here to help you with your funding needs.

2020: Where do we go from here?

steve@lakelandfinance.co.uk (Steve Dunne) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 18:39:06 GMT

I think we would all agree that 2020 was one of the toughest years on record for everyone on a personal level as well as on a business level.

With the threat of a deadly virus to cope with, Brexit looming and the constant uncertainty brought about with lockdown and the numerous other restrictions imposed on our liberties, which we have all taken for granted in the past, 2020 was a year like no other.

The consequences which are being left in the wake of COVID-19 are unparalleled in recent history and will certainly leave their lasting scars on many sectors of the local business community long after the pandemic has subsided.

Here at Lakeland Commercial Finance we have also felt the impact amid all this uncertainty, with our team being limited in what they do best – helping our business customers achieve their objectives towards success.

I founded Lakeland Commercial Finance 6 years ago initially working from our Kendal office to service the financial needs and aspirations of local businesses, despite the recent turmoil that COVID has unleashed our vision of changing the face of Commercial Finance has not changed!

Our business is based on building strong, long term relationships with our customers, becoming a reliable partner to support their business and property finance needs when needed most, both now in the aftermath of COVID as well as in the future.

Just over 6 years on and we have recently appointed our newest member of the team, Operations Manager Jodie Wells, who will oversee and manage our Regional Offices servicing Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside along with the South Lakes, North Lakes and Scottish Borders, with further expansion of our team planned throughout 2021 and beyond. With the launch of our new website, we welcome in a new year with a new look for Lakeland Commercial Finance.

Important Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) Announcement!

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 21:47:36 GMT

We are very pleased to announce Lakeland Commercial Finance have been appointed as an accredited Exclusive Broker to deliver new CBILS funding.

Key highlights:

Total existing debt re-finance up to £5,000,000
Re-structure existing CBILS/BBL finance along with access to new & additional funding
New 12 months interest free period
Rates from 2.5% over BoE base rate
Extended repayment term up to 25 years
Funding available for limited period only – applications for funds now being accepted on a first come first served basis
Open to all sectors

We are open for applications until January 31 ^st , 2021, however this date is subject to change depending on the volume of applications -with only limited funds to be made available no later than March 31 ^st , 2021.

To apply please complete the form below and one of our dedicated team will be in touch or contact Lakeland Commercial Finance on 0800 368 8749.