When it comes to growing a business, having the right financial strategy can make all the difference.  At Johnston Financial Solutions, we’ve seen first-hand how Northern Ireland businesses have transformed through tailored finance solutions.  Whether it’s acquiring new equipment, expanding into new markets, or even acquiring competitors, the right financial support at the right time can unlock growth that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Why Strategic Finance Matters for Business Growth Most businesses understand the importance of securing funding for a specific purchase, like buying a new vehicle or piece of machinery. But what many don’t realise is that finance can be far more strategic, acting as a tool to unlock growth opportunities, support long-term plans, and protect cash

Practical Strategies for Manufacturing Growth Funding to be Featured at Upcoming Belfast Conference Businesses in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector will have the opportunity to gain expert insights into securing growth funding at the upcoming Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition. The event, scheduled for September 12 at the TEC Belfast, will feature a dedicated session on practical strategies for financing growth, tailored specifically to the needs of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. The session will be led by Mark Johnston, Director of Johnston Financial Solutions, who brings 35 years of experience in the financial services sector. “Securing the right kind of funding can be a game-changer for SMEs, especially in the manufacturing sector where capital-intensive projects often

During July Musgrave Retail NI announced a £16 million investment in their stores across Ireland – including a £3m investment in a new Centra store and petrol station in Co Antrim. Johnston Financial Solutions was delighted to work with our client, Oran McCloskey, to help make the expansion and opening of a new store possible. We explore further how Johnston Financial Solution can help secure finance for business expansion. Here’s some of the steps you’ll need to take in advance of securing finance for your business expansion: 1. Assess Your Expansion Needs Before seeking finance, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your expansion needs. This involves: • Identifying Goals: Define what you aim to achieve with the expansion,

On 1st July 2024, the new Growth Guarantee Scheme was officially launched in Northern Ireland, replacing the Recovery Loan Scheme. The Recovery Loan Scheme was originally introduced in 2022 to support small businesses across the UK and Ireland during the pandemic. In the Spring 2024 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended until 2026 with a new name – the Growth Guarantee Scheme. What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme? The Growth Guarantee Scheme offers a unique opportunity to access affordable finance with the support of a government guarantee. The government guarantees 70% of lending to each eligible business. Whether you are looking to expand your operations, invest in new equipment, hire additional staff, or explore

Eamon, a property developer and investor, had purchased a commercial unit in Omagh, with the vision of turning the units into a series of luxury residential apartments. Eamon was first introduced to Johnston Financial Solutions back in July 2022. He had originally approached a mainstream Bank for finance but without any success. Finding the best solution for Rymat Eamon was keen to move the project along quickly, among the benefits of working with an independent finance broker is the ability to quickly identify which business loans would work best for the client and consider both mainstream and alternative finance for the project. After assessing the needs and timeframe for this project, it was decided that an alternative finance option would