E&Y’s Allport takes SME fund role

SIMON Allport, North West senior partner at accountants Ernst & Young is to chair Business Finance Solutions – which provides funding to small-businesses in Greater Manchester.

Business Finance Solutions is a not-for-profit organisation run by Greater Manchester Chamber and the 10 local authorities in Greater Manchester.

It provides a range of government-backed finance products including, business loans and angel finance.
 
Mr Allport said: “Access to the right support and finance can make the difference to our community, by creating jobs and wealth in the region. BFS is a great example of public and private sectors working together to help drive growth in Manchester and across the North West.”

An experienced turnaround professional with excellent links in the North West business community, Mr Allport will address businesses at the Business Growth Hub’s Financing Growth event later today.

Paul Breen, fund operations manager at Business Finance Solutions said: “Simon Allport was invited to join the board of Business Finance Solutions in recognition of his and his colleagues’ understanding of corporate finance and his ability to strengthen and extend BFS’ relationships with banks and other financial institutions.

“Simon’s track record and credibility add to BFS’ existing influence with national and local government.  Simon’s appointment will help us to raise the profile of the work we do at BFS – to alleviate the issues or barriers businesses have in raising finance.”

Current chairman Ron Mason will become Mr Allport’s deputy.