Ludgate Finance launches new manufacturing network group

FORMER Trade Minister and director general of the CBI Lord Digby Jones is to be the guest speaker at the launch of a new business club for manufacturing and engineering businesses the Black Country.

Ludgate Finance’s Go4Growth Business Club will be launched tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Jack Haywood Suite at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium.

The business finance specialist, which has offices in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton, is launching the new initiative to support the growth of businesses in the sector across the Black Country.

Go4Growth is designed to encourage manufacturing and engineering businesses to consider peer-to-peer funding as the starting point for growth planning. However, as the initiative grows it will encompass more than just raising finance.

Ludgate will be backing up the initiative with a series of follow up events where representatives from the firm, together with those from other professional firms they work with will be providing free support on key legal, marketing, business management and coaching issues.

As well as a key note speech from Lord Digby Jones, the launch event, which will run from 9am to 11am, will also hear from Ludgate Finance on the growth of the peer-to-peer lending sector and the opportunities it provides for businesses.

Ludgate has successfully raised over £20m of funding for around 100 growing businesses in the last two years. It said demand for finance from the SME sector was growing although many banks were still reluctant to lend.

Richard Mason, from Ludgate Finance said: “Getting a manufacturing or engineering business off the ground is something to be proud of. But once it is up and running, making sure that it keeps growing can be even more challenging, particularly where capital investment is required in advance of growth and profitability.

“This is why we are launching this new business club, which will offer support, advice and networking sessions to keep manufacturing and engineering firms on the front foot when it comes to growth and expansion.

“We are delighted to welcome Lord Digby Jones to speak at the launch event, and hope that many manufacturing and engineering companies in the region and further afield will sign up to the programme and club and join us for our launch event.”

Further details and bookings for the event should be made through Laura Tilson at laurat@ludgatefinance.co.uk or on 0121 232 4809.