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Growth leaders – UKSE ’ s regional manager Sarah Thorpe and business development manager Peter Taylor .
GOING FOR
Tees Valley ’ s leading sectors secure UKSE finance
From digital and film to life sciences and renewable energy , the number of Tees Valley business sectors now recognised for their strong growth potential , despite recent challenges , is growing .
At UKSE , investments are echoing that recognition as the business support subsidiary of Tata Steel continues to finance growth projects at companies forging ahead in these and other sectors .
“ UKSE is not a typical lender ,” says regional manager Sarah Thorpe . “ Our remit is to help businesses grow and create jobs in our steel areas , which gives us flexibility . We tailor each investment to the individual business and operate in a variety of sectors .
“ We invest in businesses with strong management teams , leaving them to run their companies while always being available for support . We believe that the combination of our decades of experience and the benefit of having teams on the ground provides added value .
“ Across Tees Valley we are supporting SMEs with the vital finance they need . Growing companies needing larger
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investments to buy new equipment , expand their markets , acquire more space or for day-to-day support at crucial times have access to funding packages from £ 25,000 to £ 1m .
“ We have continued to see confident companies with strong growth plans coming to us to discuss their plans ,” she added .
A five-figure investment in the form of an unsecured loan helped a young Tees company at the forefront of the region ’ s thriving subsea sector to purchase equipment .
Wavecon , set up in 2021 , provides subsea companies operating in the oil , gas and renewable sectors , with a vital supply of cable harnesses and electrical systems on its doorstep for the first time .
Wavecon co-founder David Stout said : “ We are grateful for UKSE ’ s support in helping us to acquire the equipment and tooling we needed and continue to invest in the latest technology and design software .”
Businesses looking for finance with a project can contact the UKSE team on 01642 777777 or by email at north @ ukse . co . uk .
Intek Electrical Engineering , set up just over a year ago in UKSE ’ s Innovation Centre at Redcar , secured a five-figure investment to help it take on new skilled engineers and its first apprentice .
Already realising ambitious sales forecasts and working on some major UK construction projects , managing director Iain Wilson praised UKSE ’ s support as “ outstanding ”.
Tees-based digital visualisation company Animmersion UK secured a second investment from UKSE , a six-figure funding package to help develop its team , products and services .
Despite the challenges of Covid , the company saw a 25 per cent growth in turnover for two years in a row and is taking on additional technical artists and creatives .
CEO Sam Harrison said : “ Our previous investment from UKSE was in 2018 and they have been a strong and supportive partner . I would encourage any business to put them top of the list if they are looking for financial support .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 75