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In today’s fast-evolving financial landscape, access to transparent and reliable financial products is more important than ever for businesses, especially SMEs. That’s why ELS is proud to be a founding member of the Guild of Business Finance Professionals, an initiative designed to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism in the business finance sector.
What is the Guild of Business Finance Professionals?
The Guild of Business Finance Professionals, launched at the Asset Finance Connect Summer Conference in June 2024, brings together leading independent finance brokers and intermediaries from across the UK. The Guild aims to shape the future of business finance by promoting transparency, ensuring access to trustworthy financial products, and protecting the interests of businesses and lenders alike.
At its core, the Guild is a non-profit association committed to setting benchmarks for ethics and professionalism, particularly in the non-regulated business finance sector. Its founding members, including ELS founder Stuart Mckee, Trevor Pirie, and Stephen Bassett, recognised the need for stronger guidance and ethical standards to serve both funders and corporate borrowers effectively.
Why Does This Matter?
In an industry where trust is paramount, the Guild seeks to address common challenges such as mis-selling, poor lending practices, and a lack of clear guidance. For SMEs, this is particularly crucial, as access to appropriate finance solutions can make or break a business.
By establishing a clear code of conduct, the Guild guarantees that its members uphold transparency and professionalism in all their dealings. This not only benefits businesses looking for funding but also gives confidence to lenders, knowing they are working with brokers who are committed to the highest ethical standards.
ELS’s Role in the Guild
As one of the founding members, ELS has fully embraced the Guild’s mission. Stuart Mckee, alongside key members of the ELS team including Kerry Mckee and Gail Goulding, has signed the Guild’s charter. This underscores ELS’s long-standing commitment to fostering ethical business practices and providing SMEs with reliable, straightforward access to finance.
At ELS, we believe that ethical finance isn’t just a responsibility—it’s an opportunity to lead by example. By joining the Guild, we are actively contributing to the improvement of the sector, ensuring that the financial products and services we offer are always in the best interest of our clients.
Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Business Finance
The Guild is not just about setting standards—it’s about collaboration. By bringing together industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders, the Guild aims to influence the broader market, ensuring that the business finance sector becomes more transparent and accessible for all.
This means working together with other funders and trade bodies to create a unified voice for change, driving ethical finance practices forward and providing businesses with the support they need to thrive.
For more insights into the Guild of Business Finance Professionals and its impact on the future of business finance, you can read the full article published by Leasing Life here.
For more information on Guild of Business Finance Professionals: ELS’s Commitment to Ethical Finance talk to Equipment Leasing Solutions Ltd