Greenwood Capital

Greenwood Capital, finance brokerage for British SMEs

Greenwood Capital is a commercial finance brokerage based in Manchester that works with UK SMEs. The firm presents itself as an intermediary with direct underwriting experience, which allows it to anticipate the criteria applied by lenders. According to its data, it has arranged over £100 million in funding for British businesses and more than 70% of its clients return to use its services again.

The company operates under the name Greenwood Capital Advisory Limited, with company number 13970176 and ICO registration ZB410536. It is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and limits its activity to non-regulated introductions, working with a panel of lenders whose details are provided upon request.

Available finance products

The firm's catalogue covers various types of business finance, from unsecured loans to asset-backed or invoice-backed facilities:

• Unsecured business loans, for amounts up to £500,000 and without the need to provide guarantees.
• Asset finance to purchase vehicles or machinery, or to refinance existing assets and inject working capital.
• Factoring and invoice finance, to obtain immediate liquidity from outstanding invoices.
• Commercial mortgages.
• Property development finance.
• Hire purchase.
• Merchant cash advance.
• Secured business loans.

Working method and client relationship

The firm uses its own software to compare more than 50 lenders and shortlist the most suitable options for each application. Each client has a dedicated relationship manager from the first enquiry through to completion, with a style of support that adapts to the applicant's preferences: from highly hands-on guidance to simply providing a list of alternatives so the client can decide at their own pace.

The company maintains that submitting an application through Greenwood Capital does not affect the applicant's credit score.

Timelines and requirements

According to published information, the firm has secured funding in under 30 minutes in some cases, although most clients receive offers within 24 to 72 hours of applying. Timelines depend on the lender and the complexity of the case.

To be eligible for finance, the company states that the business must have been trading for at least six months and have annual turnover of more than £100,000. It also works with start-ups through partner lenders specialising in start-up loans.

Sectors served

The brokerage serves SMEs in sectors such as hospitality, retail and e-commerce, construction and trades, professional services, healthcare and medical, manufacturing, transport and logistics, beauty and wellness, agriculture and farming, and automotive.

Team

The firm's structure combines leadership, commercial broking, operations and marketing areas. Leadership includes James Arbon (director), Jack Rutherford (product director), Zak Foseka (finance director), David Kimmer (technology director), James Fox (operations director) and Frazer Elliot (head of business development). The commercial broking team, which compares the market and structures finance, comprises Steve Johnston, Jules Towey, Ben Morgan, Tom Laws, Hassan Sultan, Courtney Mawdsley, Eve Williams, Ahmad Sadallah, Conor Mckiernan, John Egan, Sam Toader and Cameron Melville. Broking operations, responsible for preparing and expediting cases with lenders, includes Holly Foulkes, Archie Liddar and Melanie Tsang. In marketing are Benet Thomas and Esther Olude.

Transparency on commissions

Greenwood Capital states that it receives commissions from lenders and that remuneration models vary by lender, and may consist of a fixed fee or a percentage of the amount borrowed. The firm undertakes to detail the commission model, calculation and amount throughout the process with the client.

Location and contact

Quay West at Media City, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester, M17 1HH