A seminar hosted by De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester on
4 May will help SMEs to identify greater access to
finance.
A leading small business finance researcher and one of Barclays
Bank's top small business economists will be among the guest
speakers at 'SME access to finance in the UK: What has research
contributed to our understanding of recent events?'
The eventis part of DMU's Small Firm Seminar Series - all
seminars are free and open for DMU staff, students and the general
public to attend.
During the seminar, Dr Stuart Fraser from Warwick Business
School, the author of an independent study on SME (small and
medium-sized enterprises) finance, will provide an overview of
recent research and offer his views on what lessons should be
learnt.
Dr Richard Roberts is a visiting professor at DMU's Centre for
Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME), and SME
market analysis director at Barclays Bank. With more than 30 years'
experience of researching the SME sector, Dr Roberts will provide a
response to SME finance from an industry perspective.
Dr Roberts said: "There have been many changes in the finance
and business environment since 2006, particularly with regard to
bank/small firm relationships in the UK. The recession of 2008-10
revived the concerns of business owners and politicians about the
ability of SMEs to access finance, especially debt
finance.
"As we move away from recession in 2011, these worries have not
gone away, particularly among start-ups, fast growth firms, ethnic
minority businesses and female-led enterprises."
Attendees at the seminar, which are expected to include a number
of senior industry figures and academics specialising in SME
finance, will have the opportunity to consider developments in an
open forum discussion.
One focus of the event is to consider the possible role of the
new 'rolling' research programme announced in the Business
Taskforce set up to help firms access finance in October 2010. The
first results are due in July 2011 and will be made available to
academic researchers later this year. Mike Young, independent chair
of the steering group overseeing the report, will also take part in
the forum.
DMU's Small Firm Seminar Series has been designed to reflect the
distinctive strengths of small firms' research in the university's
Leicester Business School. The seminars will focus on disseminating
leading-edge research and implications for policy and practice.
Internationally recognised researchers will discuss their work
alongside leading policy-makers and practitioners.
The event is on Wednesday 4 May 2011, 12-3pm. Places are free
but limited, so early booking is advised.
For further information, queries or to book a place at the
seminar, please contact Liz Frost at CREME on (0116) 250 6428 or
email efrost@dmu.ac.uk.