British Business Bank newly supports 2,100 East Midlands smaller businesses in 2025/26
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 21 July 2026
UPDATED: 21 July 2026
The British Business Bank newly supported 2,100 smaller businesses in the East Midlands in 2025/26, with these businesses expected to create a forecast 1,500 new jobs and support a further 23,700 existing jobs, according to new figures.
In its third annual Impact Report published today, the Bank estimates the supported firms will generate £800m in additional turnover which will deliver a forecast uplift in economic output of £300m to the region’s economy over the lifetime of the finance they have received.
A key driver of the Bank’s support for firms in the region is its £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II. The Fund, which recently marked its second anniversary, has driven more than £100m into 225 businesses across the region since it launched two years ago. Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has so far directly invested over £65m into regional businesses, alongside crowding in driving an additional £38.6m from the private sector.
Meanwhile, the Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has provided more than £75m of loans for smaller businesses in the East Midlands since it launched in 2012. 40% of these loans have been invested into female founded firms.
The Bank’s latest Impact Report follows the launch of its Five-Year Strategic Plan late last year which highlighted its continued commitment to growth across the Nations and regions.
Mark Sterritt, Managing Director, British Business Bank Local Growth Team, said:
“Today’s figures demonstrate the ability of Midlands firms to secure funds and turn that investment into growth - in jobs, in turnover and in economic output for the region as a whole.
“Through the Bank’s targeted funds and initiatives - from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II to the Start Up Loans programme, lending for under represented founders and building local investor networks through the Regional Angels Programme - our focus on regional impact is delivering positive impact in the local communities we serve.
“Backing innovative, ambitious and entrepreneurial founders, wherever they are in the country, is the cornerstone of our drive to support good growth in every postcode.”
The national picture
The report underlines the Bank's ongoing commitment to the East Midlands as well as other UK Nations and regions. 87% of the businesses newly supported by the Bank in 2025/26 were based outside of London, helping to deliver more than a £100m boost to economic output in each and every UK Nation and region.
Nationally in 2025/26, the Bank supported a total of £9.4bn of finance for smaller businesses. This comprised £1.3bn of public funding deployed by the Bank, £3.7bn of lending guaranteed and £4.3bn of private sector capital mobilised alongside the Bank’s investments.
This enabled the Bank to support 30,000 newly-funded smaller businesses, with follow-on funding to 8,000 more. The expected impacts over the life of this finance are:
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The creation of 39,000 additional jobs
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£19.7bn of additional business turnover, equivalent to £8.8bn of Gross Value Added
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More than £100m of GVA in each and every UK Nation and region
