Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance has joined the FUEL Roadshow as a major partner in a nationwide initiative designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises prepare for investment and secure funding.
The programme, delivered by funding solutions specialist UMi, will host a series of events across the UK throughout 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, lenders, and business advisers to address ongoing barriers to SME finance.
Purbeck joins a partner group that includes NatWest, the British Business Bank, CO4CH, the Confederation of British Industry, and regional partner FW Capital.
The announcement comes ahead of the initiative’s official launch in Newcastle upon Tyne on 17 March. Blair McDougall MP, the UK Government’s Minister for Small Business, has pledged his support for the roadshow as part of wider efforts to strengthen the country’s small business ecosystem.
Each regional event is expected to attract more than 250 business owners. Organisers say the programme will provide direct access to lenders, investors, and advisers, alongside practical guidance aimed at helping companies become “funding ready”.
The initiative arrives at a time when many UK SMEs continue to face a challenging funding environment. Borrowing costs remain elevated compared with pre-pandemic levels, while lenders are increasingly seeking additional security from business owners when extending credit.
In particular, directors are more frequently being asked to provide personal guarantees to secure working capital, equipment finance, or growth funding — a requirement that exposes personal assets if a business fails.
Todd Davison, Managing Director of Purbeck Insurance Services, said: “Access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers facing UK SMEs, and the landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Even strong, well-run businesses are increasingly being asked to provide personal guarantees as part of lending decisions, which places significant personal risk on directors and business owners.
“That’s why we’re proud to support the FUEL Roadshow. This is a practical initiative that connects business owners with the right expertise, funders and advisers, helping them understand their options and take the next steps towards becoming funding ready. Crucially, it also encourages SMEs to think about risk management alongside finance, ensuring that growth and resilience can go hand in hand.”
Purbeck Insurance Services specialises in personal guarantee insurance, designed to protect directors who use personal guarantees when accessing commercial finance.
Nicki Clark OBE, Chief Executive of UMi, said the roadshow had been created to simplify access to funding support and connect business owners directly with decision-makers.
“FUEL has been designed with one clear purpose: to make it easier for business owners to take action. We know many founders and leaders simply don’t have the time to navigate complex funding routes, so each event gives them direct access to the people, insight and support they need to take the next step with confidence.
“This only works when organisations across the ecosystem come together. That’s why having partners like Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance involved is so important. They each bring specialist expertise, real-world understanding of the challenges SMEs face, and a commitment to helping business owners make better, safer decisions around finance.
“Too many brilliant businesses are held back by complexity, jargon and missed opportunities. By working collaboratively with partners who share our focus on practical support, FUEL helps cut through that noise so more SMEs can secure the funding they need to grow and thrive.”
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